If you read my last update I told you that I had been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and was awaiting a growth scan, while I was waiting for the scan I was to monitor my blood sugar 4 times a day, the first before breakfast (fasting levels) and then an hour after each meal.
I found it a real struggle the first week of doing this, realising that foods that I thought were ‘healthy’ actually sent my blood sugars sky high, which was a pain in itself as I am a fussy eater moreso since being pregnant as I have a lot of food aversions too. I did manage to sort most of my meals to give me a good blood sugar reading though.
Fast forward to Tuesday, the day of the growth scan, we got to see our little boy again but obviously that wasn’t really the reason we were there as my tummy was measuring bigger than it should do at that stage of pregnancy.
It turned out he did indeed measure bigger than he should be and from the scan they estimated that he weighed around 3lb 13oz (not bad considering he should be around 2lb 5oz). A more serious issue cropped up though, I have too much amniotic fluid which measured at 29cm almost 2 weeks ago from when this post is published. This is called Polyhydramnios, something I had not heard before.
Once the scan was over I had to see the diabetic team midwife which was just blood pressure check, weight, and usual questions asked. They downloaded the data from my blood sugar machine and I was then sent to see both the consultant diabetologist and consultant obstetrician together.
This was the part that started scaring me. The diabetologist checked my blood sugar diary and mentioned a few higher than normal readings which although it had been only a week of being diagnosed and the fact that I had not been told what to eat or anything at this point because baby was big and the excess fluid he immediately wanted me to start taking Metformin with evening meals and then with the hope to be taken them 3 times a day.
The obstetrician then spoke to me and told me that with the excess fluid and babies weight it may put too much pressure on the womb and I may go into preterm labour and mentioned that I may have to have steroid injections depending on the next growth scan results which was booked for 2 weeks time, to mature baby’s lungs.
So to say that I was worried was an understatement I came out of there gobsmacked and just wanted to curl up under a rock for the next few weeks.
I did also get to see the dietician who was suggesting meals, particularly breakfasts that I should be okay with.
Well that was an epic fail, everything she suggested sent my readings high, but I have found scrambled egg on 1 piece of toast of peanut butter of 1 piece of toast will keep my readings within my limits.
I started taking the Metformin with my dinner and I was actually fine taking them, no side effects at all. After 3 days my form said to up the dose to 1 tablet at lunch and then 1 at dinner so twice a day but if I had significant side effects to go back to the last dosage that caused no problems.
Well these tablets were evil, pure evil I tell you, my body didn’t like having two a day at all. In fact I could not get off the toilet for hours! I was so sore and then a few hours later I started getting really bad pains in my stomach, like contractions. It scared the life out of me. Luckily the pains did subside and so did the toilet problems but I could not go through this and so went back to one tablet a day and have continued with that 1 tablet a day from then on and have been fine with that.
My blood sugar readings have all been within range, barring one reading (Special K) in the last 2 weeks so I think that is good in itself.
My next growth scan is on Wednesday this week and I am hoping and praying that my fluid level has gone down a bit as stupidly I Googled what Polyhydramnios was and how it effects mum and baby and started stressing that something would go wrong.
Labour bag has been packed though so we are ready just in case.
How far along are you?: 30 weeks
How I’m feeling?: Prepared, scared, nervous, anxious…also feel like a whale.
Total weight gain: 5kg
How big is baby: at 29 weeks he was 3lb 13oz
Maternity clothes: Even these are starting to feel tight.
Stretch marks?: a few new ones have appeared.
Sleep: I am up at least 3 times per night now, if it’s not because I need the loo it’s because I have cramp in my hips or my pelvis is just so painful I need to walk about for a bit to ease it.
Best moments this week: He loves old rock music, every time a certain song is played he goes crazy.
Food cravings: Chocolate and Cake although I think that is because I know I can’t have it with the GD so I want it more. I have not given in to temptation though.
What I am looking forward to: Scan on Wednesday, it is always nice to see our baby boy. Would be nice to learn more on whether the meds are working and if the fluid level has reduced.
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