Gestational Diabetes

Doxies4life · December 2015

I am an ugly crying mess right now. I took my glucose tolerance test yesterday and the results cam back today at 239. Normal range is 65-120 something. My levels are so high that I am skipping the 4 hour tolerance test and headed straight to a prenatal diabetic specialist. 4 needle sticks a day. I am beyond deathly afraid of needles. I will have to continue this until she's born regardless if diet and exercise seem to bring my levels to normal. Then afterwards we have to verify that it is in fact just gestational diabetes and not type 1 or 2 (grandparents and greatgrandparents on my mothers side had diabetes)

I know that it could be much worse. After experiencing a loss in January of this year, I am ecstatic to have what up until this point has been a stress free and healthy pregnancy.

My anxiety is through the roof at the moment though. I'm hopeful that we still have the end result of a happy and healthy baby girl. I am also hopeful that I can use that as motivation to knowingly have to sick myself 4 times a day. I suppose it's difficult to explain or maybe I just suck at putting it into words. Diet I can handle. Exercise, bring it on. Needles are too much for me. Like I'm the type that hyperventilates or passes out when there is a needle involved. The staff at my OB is amazing and they do a great job of making whatever bloodwork i've had to have in the past as easy as possible. One gal who draws the blood another who monitors me and I'm glad to say that I've only passed out once while there. And it's not seeing the blood That doesn't bother me in the least. I can look at vials of blood after they have been drawn or see blood and it's no big deal. It's the needle and just knowing that the needle is inside of me the entire time. I can't quite explain it. I get that it's an irrational fear. There is so much more in the world to be scared of, but this is where I mentally and emotionally have drawn the line.

I suppose my purpose of this post aside from just being able to vent, is to see if any of you have a similar fear of needles/bloodwork. If so any thoughts as to how to reduce anxiety associated with it? Or any diabetics that have experience, helpful words or tips to get me through the next 12 weeks?

Thank ya'll in advance.

RosieMommy2016 · December 2015

I hope everything turns out okay. Is there anyone who can help you with the needle sticks? Maybe this will help with the needle phobia a bit.

I know this isn't what you had in mind when you started your pregnancy journey. I think most people end up with a bump or two on the way (I've had about three already).

Just remember that things will get better.

Sorry, I am not very good at answering questions.

Doxies4life · December 2015

@rosiemommy2016 encouraging words are def appreciated. I hope your bumps have been minor and wish you a happy and healthy remainder to your pregnancy

jenniferamcooper · December 2015

I absolutely understand where you're coming from, my best friend and aunt are both petrified of needles. I go with both of them for testing if they need moral support because I live practically across from the hospital. One takes Ativan and the other straight up passes out pretty much every time. Maybe you can look at relaxation techniques (failing that... anxiety meds) to help you through the first few weeks.
I'm sure the specialists and nurses have great stategies in helping people make insulin injections tolerable.
One of my friends has type 1 diabetes and has a beautiful healthy girl. Babies adapt just fine, listen to your providers and I'm sure all will be well. If it's just gestational diabetes maybe you can overcome a life long fear and have a sweet little baby - two wins!

chime · December 2015

I have been a Type 1 for the past 6 years. My mother was a Type 1 at the age of 12. She had the same issue with needles which caused her to avoid many of the injections she needed.

I can't speak much for the fear of needles since they have never really bothered me. There are days I do 10 injections a day, other days I may do only 5. Also, finger pricks multiple times a day.

The syringes they give you for injections are very, very fine. There are many times I don't even feel it and, if I wasn't paying attention, have to look to make sure the needle is actually in. A lot of people stab it in super fast and that works for them. I bruise when I do that so I have to go a little slower. I also super lightly poke around to find a place I don't really feel it. I feel it less in my hips and stomach, which is also where it absorbs best. Your other two options are the thighs and back of your arms. If someone else is comfortable doing the injections for you, it may be easier.

It does become a way of life though. Some days you won't even notice. If you keep up with testing and correcting as needed, you'll be ok and so will baby. It can be terrifying since you're new to it. Everyone looooves scary stories to motivate diabetics to take care of themselves. Don't let anyone shame you or try to scare you. You can do this. And it's entirely likely that you'll be fine after baby is born. Not so much luck for me, but like I said, I'm used to it by now. You will be okay and you can do this.

kfarr26 · December 2015

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. The important thing is to not let your fear keep you from staying on top of everything. I know a diabetic who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Yes he was large and needed to come early, but he's doing fantastic because his mom was diligent about managing her condition.

Get help with the needles and try to set up the best situation you can each time to ease the anxiety. It sounds like the diet and exercise will come easily, and that's two big things out of the way. You've got this! Good luck and best wishes.

KJKNAJ · December 2015

Do you have to do it with needles? I've been given the finger prick thing, also four times a day.

Doxies4life · December 2015

Thanks you guys. I appreciate each of you taking a moment to tell your story and and offer encouragement. Please don't think that my goal is to put this tiny package in harms way and really that's the only motivation I need. I'm not sure how many shots I'll have to take but I was told that just by looking at my numbers from the tolerance test, four seemed to be the thought. The earliest I was able to schedule with the specialist and dieticians is next Thursday which also happens to be my ticker change. Im sure i have more definitive answers by then. I'm hopeful that this is temporary.

And kudos to all of you who have dealt with this for such a long time. I just felt terribly alone as all of the family members that I had with diabetes have passed away and don't have anyone I could talk to about it. It's just a big scary world that I feel like I'm entering into and I know that I'm not the only person to experience this, but still felt alone.

I will def look into relaxation techniques to help with the anxiety that comes with each finger prick and shot. Seeing as how I can't take a strong shot of liquid courage, I'm sure there is breathing techniques available. Maybe start to listen to an audiobook to distract me.

Again I truly appreciate you guys. I'll try to update as time progresses.

Happy and healthy pregnancies to ya'll

ECHbaby · December 2015

@Doxies4life I just took my test on Wednesday. I really debated on whether I was going to go through with it. It wasn't the fear of needles but the stomach ache I was worried about. I get SOOOOO hungry - the idea of going all morning without food and then getting blood drawn multiple times was already a stressful thought. I passed out the first time I had blood drawn back in my first trimester bcus I was hungry. I don't like the idea if passing out, u know.

I consulted my midwife. She told me I could take the test without having to fast. But I still went through with it. It sucked! I wish I had just done it with my midwife instead of doctors office. My poor right arm is all bruised from the needles. They also poked my left arm and left hand bcus one nurse couldn't find a "good" vein on the right.
I think the stress that comes from dealing with that can very well affect the way our body deals with the sugars.

This may sound totally weird but I tried it with baby when I got hemorrhoids for the first time and freaked TFO.. I asked baby to help my body be healthy. I meditated a couple times a week and prayed that my body go back to its natural healthy state. I made changes in my diet of course, and I used homeopathic remedies.

My body feels SO much better.
Try talking to your body and baby. Maybe the stress of needle work affected numbers? Sending u lots of love, light and strength, momma! We got this!

chime · December 2015

Stress absolutely affects your glucose levels. Now that there is a level if insulin resistance you will see higher numbers when you're stressed. There are days I have my carb counts and dosage math completely on point but if it's a particularly stressful day, none of it matters. My levels will be high. And that's okay. You are going to have those days. A few high numbers here and there will not hurt your baby. Many doctors like to focus on yiur one or two bad numbers and will make you feel guilty for it. Don't let them. If you're doing what you need to do and you have good control, you're doing great. Stressing out over it will make it harder though so definitely find something relaxing that works for you.

oceanchild · December 2015

@Doxies4life I don't have any better advice than what's already been posted, but just here with big {{hugs}}
Also, I don't know why, since I don't reeeeally know you aside from just around here, but i just have this feeling and truly believe in my heart you can do this.

Mcbb224 · December 2015

It's difficult at first you just have to make sure not to indulge so much in the foods you like (Wah) I've have gestational diabetes since i found out I was pregnant since it runs in my family. It's been a roller coaster ride and I am glad to be almost done with the pregnancy! Exercise helps lower blood sugars along with just eating a healthier diet. It's annoying and stressful but at the end of the day I have to keep thinking positive that "this is for the baby so stop being selfish!" It also helps that my DH is helping me and eating well with me and making sure to not let me go overboard with food because sometimes I just want a cookie... or 6. Keep your head up! Hope it all goes well for you!! It's always nice to have a support system too! You've got all of us mommas!

ReggieBear · December 2015

I have had GD with both pregnancies. I was also very concerned about the needles but the kit I have to prick my finger each day is really nothing to be worried about. You do get used to it.

As for eating it's truly about eating what better for you overall and not giving into "cravings" - it helped me stay in shape, not gain as much weight and have a perfectly healthy baby girl.

Best of luck! You can do it!

vgirl33vb · December 2015

I just found out that I have to take the 3hour test since I didn't pass it last week. My level was 149. I hate needles also and dreading that I have to be poke every hour during this test. Then later on that afternoon I will have to be poke again by my hematologist because I have low blood platelets.

VMonte · December 2015

Lurking from the February boards.... but I wanted to say I am right there with you about the needles thing and I was also diagnosed with GD last week. I have to close my eyes when I'm getting ready to do the finger prick and kind of steady myself. Its hard - I've flinched so badly where I've only nicked myself so it wasn't enough for a reading and had to do it again.

What was harder was that I've also been put on the overnight insulin bc my morning fasting levels where too high (100-110). I was really pleased to find that the needle for the insulin is SO much finer than the lancet for the finger pricks. I hardly feel it when it goes in --- but the again I had DH help be out the first couple times. I started crying when the endo called me to let me know that I needed to start the insulin regimen and DH was so sweet to take up the cause and help me with it. I've started doing it myself the past couple nights - but it took a little bit for me to work up to that. I probably would have figured it out one way or another if my DH wasn't there to help - but him assisting really helped put my mind at ease. I'm almost positive that if I had to stick myself the first time I would have trembled so badly and not done it right.

Keep your head up momma! You'll get through it!

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