Fed up with GDM

G42S1628036

Member
Messages
7
Hi all

As the title says I’m absolutely fed up with GDM.

I follow the nhs gestational diabetic diet and it doesn’t work for me. It does one day and then doesn’t the next. I don’t understand what’s happening!

The consultants don’t believe I’m following it. I wish I could say I’m sitting eating carbs and cakes so I can explain the high sugar levels. I’ve had 4 days when I have been lenient out of 16 weeks of being on insulin.

I was on the wrong insulin for 14 weeks and was allergic to something that was in it and wasn’t absorbing it.

I’m fed up. The baby is measuring big and after a disastrous ante natal appointment last week where the blame was put onto me for the babies size, I have lost faith in all but one person involved in my care.
 

bulkbiker

BANNED
Messages
19,576
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
What this one?
Screenshot 2019-02-04 at 16.22.39.png

In which case I'm not surprised your blood sugars are all over the place..
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I don't have GDM but I just wanted to give you a hug.
And I'll tag @daisy1 , who'll post her very useful overview of diabetes (any kind) on this thread.
Good luck and I wish you the most wonderful baby in the world!
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Both times I had successful pregnancies I was being asked if I was sure of my dates, and if there are twins in the family - both babies were over 9lb - but I was eating low carb foods - if I'd been following the list which bulkbiker posted I'd have been in trouble - I know because I was found out and threatened with being taken into hospital and 'fed properly' if I did not eat carbs - result was pre eclampsia - but I suspect that my inability to deal with carbs goes right back to my early 20s and only a lot of exercise and avoiding carb dense foods put off diagnosis until I was 65.
I really can't see why eating freely of fresh veges and lower carb foods is not second on the list - foods full of vitamins and minerals rather than unadorned starch - it simply doesn't make sense to recommend nutrient poor foods. Fresh (or frozen) veges, berries and low carb fruits are just pure unadulterated nutrition - and some protein and fats to build body and brain - the nervous system is a complicated, intricate structure, fats are needed to make it. Lean protein? Why?
 

Jaylee

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
18,213
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @G42S1628036 ,

Welcome to the forum.

What insulin/s are you prescribed? Have you been issued any other meds?
 

G42S1628036

Member
Messages
7
Thanks for the replies everyone, I’m just not sure where I’m going wrong!

I was being taken in at 38 weeks but I was told last week I won’t make it to 38 weeks so I’m back to not knowing when I’m having the baby.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@G42S1628036
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find this interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.