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Newly diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes

L

liwaif

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Hi I am in shock I have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I have had two kids and I have never had this condition before. Although I am in the ethnic minority group my glucose sugar levels was slightly raised. I attended a GD session at my antenatal clinic yesterday and was given a quick demonstration on how to use the Agamatrix Meter. They did not actually demonstrate how much blood you need to draw.

Help I am going out of my mind here! From 930 this morning through to 1200 I tried several attempts to finger prick. On a few occasions I got an error 2 and this I know means not enough blood was drawn. I wasn’t going to give up but everytime I tried to squeeze my fingers before the test and after there just wasn’t enough blood,

I eventually had to go in to the clinic and nurse was able to do it straight away and I also was able to do one in front of her but as soon as I got home for the next testing it didn’t work!! I even took a brisk walk but that didn’t work either.

I personally think all I should be doing to get my blood circulation going is to wash my hands with warm water and massage my palm and this should be enough blood to test but it’s clearly not working for me. What is it I’m doing wrong? The finger pricking? I was also told to scoop the strip test directly onto the blood. Nothing seems to be working for me.
 
Hello, sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate! Regarding the blood, is it that you’re not getting a big enough bead of blood to test, or is it not registering on the strip? If it’s a problem getting the blood you might want to check your finger pricker.. you can adjust the depth of the lancet by twisting the top of it up or down. If that’s ok the other tip is that once you’ve got your blood drop and your strip is properly in the machine you have to touch the very end of the strip onto the top of the droplet, this then allows the blood to wick up the strip and get tested…when I first started I was sort of putting the blood on the flat side of the strip.. which of course, didn’t work! Hope this helps, best of luck for an easy time with your pregnancy.
 
Hi Hezzal I think it’s abit of both. Looks like most of the time I’m not getting enough bead of blood to test and I’m struggling with the strip registering. It seems like it’s either one or the other. Ok I will try twisting the lancet I’ve not tried this thank you for your reply.

Am I also right in saying I shouldn’t have too much of a struggle drawing blood if I have washed my hands in warm water and massaging my palm and fingers. I just cannot believe what a struggle it’s been just to draw enough blood.
 
Most of us struggle a bit initially, it's more of a knack than a precise science and you'll soon get to recognise when the drop won't be enough to test and so prick again to save wasting a strip.
I find it's the height of the dome of the drop that's key, need a nice round full drop, then gently lower the strip in almost vertically but don't let the end of the strip touch the skin. Think of it like having a drinking straw ina drink with ice cubes, if the straw is fully against the ice cube it can't suck up, but if the straw hovers above the ice you get lots of the drink up

If the drop looks thin or flat, prick again somewhere else, and I agree to try using a bigger depth of needle. Also different fingers may work better than other. My ring and little fingers always work, but my first and thumbs don't.

Also are you trying at the side of the finger near the nail? The centres of the pads may be too thick or sore.

Persevere, you will get it.
 
I found the best way to get enough blood when I was learning was to:

Wash your hands in warm soapy water (some people just use water)
Prick your finger
Wait for a couple of seconds to allow 'the hole to open up'
Hold the finger that's been pricked between your thumb and 1st finger of your other hand,
Gently run your thumb from your palm up the inside of the finger that's been pricked, and blood should appear.

As MrsA2 said, you will get it, but I know it's daunting when you first have to do it.
 
Are you in the UK? If so the Gestational team should have you on Libre All pregnant women should now be wearing one.
 
MrsA2 said:
Most of us struggle a bit initially, it's more of a knack than a precise science and you'll soon get to recognise when the drop won't be enough to test and so prick again to save wasting a strip.
I find it's the height of the dome of the drop that's key, need a nice round full drop, then gently lower the strip in almost vertically but don't let the end of the strip touch the skin. Think of it like having a drinking straw ina drink with ice cubes, if the straw is fully against the ice cube it can't suck up, but if the straw hovers above the ice you get lots of the drink up

If the drop looks thin or flat, prick again somewhere else, and I agree to try using a bigger depth of needle. Also different fingers may work better than other. My ring and little fingers always work, but my first and thumbs don't.

Also are you trying at the side of the finger near the nail? The centres of the pads may be too thick or sore.

Persevere, you will get it.
Click to expand...

Hi yes I sometimes recognise there is not enough blood to test but when I realise there is enough it shows there is an error. Could this be to do with how I have placed the strip onto the drop? Or does this actually mean there really is not enough blood for me to test?

Yes I am trying the sides of my finger but with me attempting it over 21 times I came to the conclusion I just wasn’t drawing enough blood. It felt like it would never work for me .

Thank you I hope so.
 
Hopeful34 said:
I found the best way to get enough blood when I was learning was to:

Wash your hands in warm soapy water (some people just use water)
Prick your finger
Wait for a couple of seconds to allow 'the hole to open up'
Hold the finger that's been pricked between your thumb and 1st finger of your other hand,
Gently run your thumb from your palm up the inside of the finger that's been pricked, and blood should appear.

As MrsA2 said, you will get it, but I know it's daunting when you first have to do it.
Click to expand...

Hi yes I have tried this too. I have tried squeezing my finger and blood does appear but not enough. The ridiculous thing I did was even go take a brisk walk to get my blood circulation going and I still ended up not getting enough blood
 
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