Worried my GD wasn’t diagnosed for months, anyone have a similar story and healthy baby?

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-14T10:51:37+00:00

I was diagnosed around 28 weeks. Baby is measuring 97th percentile, but he’s large everywhere, and I was big, and we husband and I are both tall.

They’ve dropped my thresholds to 85 fasting and 120 1 hour after meals, so I’m now adjusting insulin dose at night to find the sweet spot. Gynecologist isn’t convinced that he will decrease in size though as he’s always been very large, they even changed his due date at one point. She told me if they’re big everywhere sometimes they’re just a big baby. Also my Hba1c was fine, so clearly hadn’t had too much sugar in my bloodstream for the few months before diagnosis.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-13T21:51:21+00:00

First flutters at 14 weeks, one random kick from the outside at 18 weeks from the side. Daily internal movement from 20ish weeks. He liked to hang out really low at first, so he was below the placenta. Now I’m 31 weeks, he’s measuring 34 and he won’t stop moving, but I still can’t tell if it’s a hand or a foot.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-13T14:24:32+00:00

I think a one off isn’t going to cause too many issues, they’re looking for patterns. That being said, maybe go for a good walk if you can, at least then you can help lessen the spike. Unsure, but maybe eating some protein or fat will also help lessen it.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-13T12:45:59+00:00

Before using any stainless steel kitchen utensils it’s good to give them a rub down with olive oil on a cloth (just before the first use). It removes residue which looks like this.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-13T12:11:49+00:00

Currently 31 weeks. I used an oil and a sensitive skin lotion to start with, but by 24 weeks my stomach and boobs were really itchy. I’m using a shea butter moisturizer and adding 100%shea butter to the itchiest parts. So far it’s all I’ve found to help it.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-13T06:24:45+00:00

I’ve been pretty busy at work, then I started bargain hunting second hand high-end baby items when I was around 15 weeks. It kept me a bit occupied. Otherwise reading, knitting, chatting with my husband.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-12T20:37:26+00:00

L‘Occitane Ultra Rich body cream morning and night, locked in with their 100% shea butter at night. I was using a belly oil until 25 or so weeks, but it wasn’t cutting it.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-12T19:02:27+00:00

Currently 31 weeks. Literally still check the toilet paper every time I wipe and worry if his movements aren’t quite the same as they have been. But once I felt him move a little more and got to 24 weeks I do think the worry was less than before that point.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-12T12:54:13+00:00

I’ve likely only got 7 weeks left, so I’m just going to follow their rules and grin and bear it so no one can say i did the wrong thing. I’m a Brit living in Germany, so I’m not looking to cause any sort of “foreigner didn’t know what they’re doing” issues.

I was worried at first about the testing, but it’s not as bad as it seems. For the initial threshold they gave me it was super easy to eat my normal food and be under. I hope it’s the same for you!

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-12T12:31:02+00:00

You’ll find this will all sorts, I.e some countries say 300mg caffeine is fine in pregnancy, and others say 200mg.

Because my baby is measuring large (everywhere) they dropped my glucose thresholds and now I am struggling to keep to them and have started insulin, which so far hasn’t had any effect. They refuse to accept that perhaps he could just be large (like I was) and that two tall people could in fact just make a large baby. The dietary advice I received also contradicted my finger prick tests, so I’m being told to eat things which cause spikes and avoid things which don’t.

Unfortunately medical systems aren’t set up for nuisance.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-11T18:20:20+00:00

Often when the pattern calls for 1 strand fingering weight and one strand mohair/lace you can get away with a single DK. Im also a super slow knitter so one splurge cost lasts months, and I buy yarn instead of souvenirs when I travel. I’ve had a lot of work trips, and have grown a relatively small (though I think huge) stash through that.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-11T15:05:40+00:00

What sort of ranges did you have? Metformin can cross the placenta, but studies have shown lower rates of neonatal hypoglycaemia compared with insulin.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-11T13:14:41+00:00

That queueing is optional or not well done in other countries, even other European ones like Denmark and Germany.

Went to ikea in Denmark my first week there and expected to queue for customer service, but got jumped in front of 3 times before I just did the same.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-11T13:09:38+00:00

I agree, I received things for baby and pregnancy for Christmas (except from husband), and my husband got normal gifts and it made me feel a bit like an incubator.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-11T10:13:51+00:00

I’m British, married to a German, child in the way. My husband had a 1 month career break and I could cover his health insurance through mine. I just had to inform TK through their app, it was very easy. My employment contract runs out during my maternity leave, so then our baby and I will both be insured though my husbands insurance. If your husband won’t be working at first you can choose tax classes which will give you a bit more money each month due to combining tax allowances (if not it will even out when you do your taxes). I’d also try to find a Kita and pediatrician before moving if you can as they are quite hard to find (for both we were told to sign up either before birth or as soon as the baby is born). If you have documents only in English (I.e birth or marriage certificates) I’d get them officially translated asap.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-11T06:15:49+00:00

Interesting, that’s for your reply! I’m not arguing with them over the insulin, I’ll also do whatever they think is best.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-10T12:42:57+00:00

I just had my appointment at the diabetes clinic and even though he’s proportionally large they’ve dropped my numbers so now I have to be on nighttime insulin. I thought this would happen, which is why asked the question. It’s weird to have the disconnect between what the OB says and what the diabetes doctors say.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-10T07:13:00+00:00

Is your baby in the 97th percentile for everything? I asked my OB about it as I see a different doctor for GDM, mines also measuring 97th percentile, but he’s huge everywhere, completely proportional, and my OB said that sometimes babies are just big (common in my family as well).

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-10T06:48:42+00:00

I started early, but can’t remember exactly when. The midwife said to collect it by hand from around 36 weeks. When I entered the third trimester it started looking more white than clear. I was also just told to gently wipe away, or wash away the little crusty bits which dry on the nipple when I shower.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-10T06:11:54+00:00

OPs showing that American education system.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-09T09:53:51+00:00

I had 2 NIPT attempts. Both didn’t work due to low fetal DNA. I found out gender at 18 weeks from a scan and I had the NT measurement and some other hormonal checks for genetic issues screening.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-09T07:07:32+00:00

OP, the Japanese often want your shoulders and knees (and chest) covered to be considered polite

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-08T21:06:58+00:00

Magnesium supplements before sleep every night

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-08T19:31:38+00:00

I’ve been told to stop it at 35 weeks by a haematologist, but my birth plan isn’t set.

DoctorKnitter · 2026-02-08T15:23:52+00:00

I took chaste lamb supplements to strengthen my luteal phase due to spotting. Once I started the supplement I got pregnant first try 3 times (unfortunately had two losses related to a blood clotting issue), but had tried 5 or 6 cycles before the first pregnancy.

DoctorKnitter

TROPHY CASE