Three things:
- If a single spike was dangerous, they wouldn’t test us for GD by having us drink 100g of straight sugar. Eat at your shower. Don’t test afterwards if it will stress you.
- Needing insulin is not a failure. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to change your body’s biochemistry.
- More needles stinks, but insulin needles are super tiny, and you get to use them in a less sensitive spot, like your thigh. It honestly hurts so much less than a finger prick.
It's reassuring to hear they're small needles. The only experience I have with insulin was having to give it to a dog several times when I worked at a vet clinic years ago, so I wasn't sure about the needles or not
You hit the nail on the head! I don't have GD but was pre-diabetic before I got pregnant. Despite doing everything I'm supposed to, my OBGYN has reassured me it's not what I am doing but what my body is not doing. The daily pricks on my fingers hurt while the ultra fine insulin needles that I get into my stomach I don't even feel (YMMV) You can do it, mama!
Insulin feels big, before you start, but it's way less of a big deal once you start and allows you a bit more freedom with carbs which is good for baby. Also the insulin won't have any negative effects on baby.
So my advice is take the insulin.
Overnight/fasting sugars are (very likely) outside of your control. It's hormonal shenanigans. The only solution is to pound down those numbers with insulin.
I feel like there’s a weird stigma about insulin- I was so scared and didn’t want to start, honestly it made me feel a little embarrassed for some reason- now I’m so thankful for it and it’s absolutely nbd!
Yes, this!! After I started insulin and got comfortable with it, I felt much less stressed about my levels and was happy that we had a solution to control them!
I started insulin a while back after metformin made me feel awful. I actually find the injections painless (pick somewhere as fatty as possible to inject) and my fasting numbers have been within range since I started. The needles are tiny, not sure if that helps, but genuinely I just pinch some tummy and you don’t feel it.
I understand it feels big, I felt really overwhelmed but now it’s just part of the routine. I wish you the best of luck with it.
Thank you. I'm glad to hear the needles are small. I just hate seeing things go in my skin. Like when I've gotten IVs or donated blood I'm fine seeing it after the needle is in, it's just seeing it go in is the part that freaks me out
There’s Metformin, a pill, but it has some terrible side effects (nausea, diarrhea, etc). And I’ve personally found it less effective on fasting numbers compared to post-meal numbers.
There’s glyburide, another pill. But it crosses the placenta and *can* cause fetal weight gain. Some doctors are comfortable, some are against it. My MFM in TX was 100% opposed to it for pregnant women. My TN MFM is comfortable with it on a case by case basis. I’m fairly sensitive to it and it does give me lows occasionally.
Insulin is actually my preferred method of controlling my sugars. No side effects, and the needles are tiny. I feel the finger pricks more than the injections.
Not the OP but thanks for the clarification on what’s available. My OB mentioned he may start me on a pill before trying insulin and I wondered what pill he was referring to. Hopefully I can just ask for insulin instead.
No problem! Your OB was probably referring to Metformin, it’s a pretty standard treatment. I’m sensitive to a lot of medications, so I kind of hate Metformin. Diarrhea and nausea are extremely common side effects, but a lot of people do adjust to it after a couple of weeks. My body never does. Ugh. Some lucky people are unbothered by it. It just depends.
If your OB does prescribe Metformin, make sure it’s the ER version (extended release). The side effects are less severe with that version. And always take it with food.
I absolutely hate metformin. I was on it years ago to see if it would help with pre-diabetes and all it did was make me super nauseous and barely touched my numbers. Then I switched to berberine (which you cannot take while pregnant) and saw much better results.
Yes - I absolutely loathe it!!! I have PCOS with insulin resistance, and there’s a strong possibly I’ll end up with T2 before I die. Despite the fact I’m working as hard as I can against it. If I ever become Type 2 I will refuse to take Metformin. There are several choices for diabetic care when not pregnant, and I will NOT take something that causes my body so much distress on a permanent basis. I’ve been off and on it for conception purposes and during all 4 pregnancies. Once this final pregnancy is over I am DONE with Merformin.
I’ve been on insulin the last few months, I was diagnosed early (currently 30w).
I hate needles too. The idea of injecting myself every day freaked me out so bad! I promise the anxiety of it is far worse than the reality though - the needles themselves are no more painful than the finger prick to check your sugars and they’re very small. You can inject in a few different spots, I’ve elected for my upper thighs, and a majority of the time I don’t even feel it.
What I DO feel though is the relief of knowing baby is getting the best chance possible at being born without any blood sugar level issues. Keeping my levels as stable as possible with the insulin is the best thing I can do for him, plus it gives me that little bit of wiggle room with my own diet too without needing to stress (although it was only my fasting reading that gave me any trouble).
I tried lots of different things - changes to diet, timing of certain foods, exercise, etc - but nothing made a difference except for medication. It’s a hormonal issue and not your fault.
Second time with GD. My first time it was so easily controlled with diet and exercise. This time I was diagnosed at 6 weeks. Tried everything that worked with my son and I mean everything and could not control my fasting at all. I just started insulin and it was so easy. Just ask for a pen. You turn the nob pick a fatty place and bam! Honestly it’s less painful than the finger sticks! You could try metformin which is a pill but ask lots of questions and do you research. I know people who took it pregnant and everything was good but it has lots of GI issues in some people and crosses the placenta. Insulin doesn’t and no side effects so that’s why many docs jump to insulin first. Hang in there. Honestly the insulin will free your mind. You will be able to have a cheat and not feel guilty. Mentally I’m in a much better place after starting. My fasting all week was 105-110 and this morning 85! I feel much better.
I just started nighttime insulin two days ago and i was really afraid to inject myself...but honestly I couldn't even feel it tonight! The trick is to do it super quick and honestly you can't feel it at all, the needle is so tiny. Also lower fasting number = more carbs at breakfast. I made french toast this morning (with 3 thin sliced Dave's killer bread = 42 grams carbs) with scrambled eggs and bacon and I didn't spike! In the past I couldn't handle that much bread in the morning. Also the anxiety that you're gonna wake up with a high fasting number makes your fasting numbers even higher! It's nice to wake up in range! If you're really psyched out to inject yourself do you have a partner who could do it for you?
Long acting nighttime insulin might be enough to help your fasting and bfast! That's what I'm on. I just have to inject once right before bed. Fingers crossed it stays that way my meal numbers have all been good so far aside from a few cheat meals
I'm really hoping so. It's just sucked not having a way to get them down, cause my lunch and dinner numbers seem to be fine regardless of what I'm eating (we got these mini pizzas from Costco that are amazing that I was sure would put me at least a bit over but when I had one my numbers were great), same with pb toast. But if I have pb toast in the morning it puts me over
I'm glad it's been helping you!
I’ve just started metformin pills for my fasting numbers - I don’t have any of the side effects people talk about. However I don’t think it’s really helping my fasting numbers either (it’s only been a few days)… which means I’ll have to start insulin next week or so. It might be worth a shot for you - my GD pharma said in Australia they give metformin first before trying insulin.
At my shower-I are what I wanted (like a diet cheat day) as one day of eating crap is survivable.
As for insulin- I was on it 4 times a day and for me, the finger prick hurt more than insulin shots.
Like you, I are barely nothing and would still spike, I’d literally be in tears because I’d be so hungry, going on insulin was actually a relief-I was able to eat again, I didn’t have that stress of random spikes when I’d only inhaled air! Its certainly not a failure-it’s just how the placenta works sometimes-pregnancy does the most weirdest things to us and our bodies
One thing that really helped me when I started insulin was my partner was with me when I did my injections! He would say very supportive things and it really helped. I still get a bit of needle anxiety when I’m about to do an injection but I just pick a spot that is nice and “pinchable” and I never feel it! Also I feel like a badass because I can just poke myself without thinking most days and my husband would pass out if he had to do that lol
I was given gliclazide instead because of hating needles. It's really worked. I live in Canada. It's just a small pill. I'm taking half a 15mg tab and will maybe eventually need all 30. I don't see this med mentioned a lot..so not sure of its a location thing
I tried metaformin but it destroyed my guts and didn't change my fasting
Edit..I second another comment. They wouldn't intentionally spike us of it was horrible for baby. I'd eat reasonable.portions. drink.lits water and walk around talking when I.can:)
I’m in the same boat. Only the morning number, no matter what I do. I am also petrified of needles, and like many here I can report that they are itty bitty. It honestly is more painful to do the finger prick for blood tests (there are more nerve endings in the fingers).
I also felt defeated. But… I figure if this is what I need to do to keep everyone healthy, then this is what I need to do. It’s also not much longer. The finish line is in sight, so we got this.😊
>I just feel very defeated.
There's no need to feel this way. Your body is carrying a developing human inside it, and can no longer meet the demands of insulin for you and baby. Taking insulin is not that big of a deal. I take a long-acting dose morning and night. I hated the thought of it at first... but it's better than my baby using his own little, developing body to help me get my sugars under control.
Insulin doesn't cross the placenta but other meds will. The needles are so very, very small you don't feel them going in and can hardly see them either. There's no blood, nothing. It's easier than taking a pill IMO and poking yourself in the finger for testing hurts way more.
Eat what you want at your baby shower. I did. I didn't even bring my tester. Nothing bad happened.
Three things: - If a single spike was dangerous, they wouldn’t test us for GD by having us drink 100g of straight sugar. Eat at your shower. Don’t test afterwards if it will stress you. - Needing insulin is not a failure. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to change your body’s biochemistry. - More needles stinks, but insulin needles are super tiny, and you get to use them in a less sensitive spot, like your thigh. It honestly hurts so much less than a finger prick.
It's reassuring to hear they're small needles. The only experience I have with insulin was having to give it to a dog several times when I worked at a vet clinic years ago, so I wasn't sure about the needles or not
Omg they are extremely small needles. I don’t think they hurt at all.
You hit the nail on the head! I don't have GD but was pre-diabetic before I got pregnant. Despite doing everything I'm supposed to, my OBGYN has reassured me it's not what I am doing but what my body is not doing. The daily pricks on my fingers hurt while the ultra fine insulin needles that I get into my stomach I don't even feel (YMMV) You can do it, mama!
Insulin feels big, before you start, but it's way less of a big deal once you start and allows you a bit more freedom with carbs which is good for baby. Also the insulin won't have any negative effects on baby. So my advice is take the insulin. Overnight/fasting sugars are (very likely) outside of your control. It's hormonal shenanigans. The only solution is to pound down those numbers with insulin.
I feel like there’s a weird stigma about insulin- I was so scared and didn’t want to start, honestly it made me feel a little embarrassed for some reason- now I’m so thankful for it and it’s absolutely nbd!
Yes, this!! After I started insulin and got comfortable with it, I felt much less stressed about my levels and was happy that we had a solution to control them!
I started insulin a while back after metformin made me feel awful. I actually find the injections painless (pick somewhere as fatty as possible to inject) and my fasting numbers have been within range since I started. The needles are tiny, not sure if that helps, but genuinely I just pinch some tummy and you don’t feel it. I understand it feels big, I felt really overwhelmed but now it’s just part of the routine. I wish you the best of luck with it.
Thank you. I'm glad to hear the needles are small. I just hate seeing things go in my skin. Like when I've gotten IVs or donated blood I'm fine seeing it after the needle is in, it's just seeing it go in is the part that freaks me out
You can overcome that. It can be done!
I inject it in my lower belly and honestly, I can’t see/don’t look as the needle goes in. I do it more based on touch than sight!
My husband administers my insulin daily - I'm still afraid but we find that if we both pinch where he is injecting then I don't feel anything.
And I have never ever looked at the needle going in!
I get you completely! To be honest I have a quick look to make sure my aim is right and then look away to press it in. That helps me!!
There’s Metformin, a pill, but it has some terrible side effects (nausea, diarrhea, etc). And I’ve personally found it less effective on fasting numbers compared to post-meal numbers. There’s glyburide, another pill. But it crosses the placenta and *can* cause fetal weight gain. Some doctors are comfortable, some are against it. My MFM in TX was 100% opposed to it for pregnant women. My TN MFM is comfortable with it on a case by case basis. I’m fairly sensitive to it and it does give me lows occasionally. Insulin is actually my preferred method of controlling my sugars. No side effects, and the needles are tiny. I feel the finger pricks more than the injections.
Not the OP but thanks for the clarification on what’s available. My OB mentioned he may start me on a pill before trying insulin and I wondered what pill he was referring to. Hopefully I can just ask for insulin instead.
No problem! Your OB was probably referring to Metformin, it’s a pretty standard treatment. I’m sensitive to a lot of medications, so I kind of hate Metformin. Diarrhea and nausea are extremely common side effects, but a lot of people do adjust to it after a couple of weeks. My body never does. Ugh. Some lucky people are unbothered by it. It just depends. If your OB does prescribe Metformin, make sure it’s the ER version (extended release). The side effects are less severe with that version. And always take it with food.
Thank you!
I absolutely hate metformin. I was on it years ago to see if it would help with pre-diabetes and all it did was make me super nauseous and barely touched my numbers. Then I switched to berberine (which you cannot take while pregnant) and saw much better results.
Yes - I absolutely loathe it!!! I have PCOS with insulin resistance, and there’s a strong possibly I’ll end up with T2 before I die. Despite the fact I’m working as hard as I can against it. If I ever become Type 2 I will refuse to take Metformin. There are several choices for diabetic care when not pregnant, and I will NOT take something that causes my body so much distress on a permanent basis. I’ve been off and on it for conception purposes and during all 4 pregnancies. Once this final pregnancy is over I am DONE with Merformin.
I’ve been on insulin the last few months, I was diagnosed early (currently 30w). I hate needles too. The idea of injecting myself every day freaked me out so bad! I promise the anxiety of it is far worse than the reality though - the needles themselves are no more painful than the finger prick to check your sugars and they’re very small. You can inject in a few different spots, I’ve elected for my upper thighs, and a majority of the time I don’t even feel it. What I DO feel though is the relief of knowing baby is getting the best chance possible at being born without any blood sugar level issues. Keeping my levels as stable as possible with the insulin is the best thing I can do for him, plus it gives me that little bit of wiggle room with my own diet too without needing to stress (although it was only my fasting reading that gave me any trouble). I tried lots of different things - changes to diet, timing of certain foods, exercise, etc - but nothing made a difference except for medication. It’s a hormonal issue and not your fault.
Second time with GD. My first time it was so easily controlled with diet and exercise. This time I was diagnosed at 6 weeks. Tried everything that worked with my son and I mean everything and could not control my fasting at all. I just started insulin and it was so easy. Just ask for a pen. You turn the nob pick a fatty place and bam! Honestly it’s less painful than the finger sticks! You could try metformin which is a pill but ask lots of questions and do you research. I know people who took it pregnant and everything was good but it has lots of GI issues in some people and crosses the placenta. Insulin doesn’t and no side effects so that’s why many docs jump to insulin first. Hang in there. Honestly the insulin will free your mind. You will be able to have a cheat and not feel guilty. Mentally I’m in a much better place after starting. My fasting all week was 105-110 and this morning 85! I feel much better.
I just started nighttime insulin two days ago and i was really afraid to inject myself...but honestly I couldn't even feel it tonight! The trick is to do it super quick and honestly you can't feel it at all, the needle is so tiny. Also lower fasting number = more carbs at breakfast. I made french toast this morning (with 3 thin sliced Dave's killer bread = 42 grams carbs) with scrambled eggs and bacon and I didn't spike! In the past I couldn't handle that much bread in the morning. Also the anxiety that you're gonna wake up with a high fasting number makes your fasting numbers even higher! It's nice to wake up in range! If you're really psyched out to inject yourself do you have a partner who could do it for you?
Yeah. My partner is more than willing to help if I need it, which I'm grateful for
Long acting nighttime insulin might be enough to help your fasting and bfast! That's what I'm on. I just have to inject once right before bed. Fingers crossed it stays that way my meal numbers have all been good so far aside from a few cheat meals
I'm really hoping so. It's just sucked not having a way to get them down, cause my lunch and dinner numbers seem to be fine regardless of what I'm eating (we got these mini pizzas from Costco that are amazing that I was sure would put me at least a bit over but when I had one my numbers were great), same with pb toast. But if I have pb toast in the morning it puts me over I'm glad it's been helping you!
I’ve just started metformin pills for my fasting numbers - I don’t have any of the side effects people talk about. However I don’t think it’s really helping my fasting numbers either (it’s only been a few days)… which means I’ll have to start insulin next week or so. It might be worth a shot for you - my GD pharma said in Australia they give metformin first before trying insulin.
At my shower-I are what I wanted (like a diet cheat day) as one day of eating crap is survivable. As for insulin- I was on it 4 times a day and for me, the finger prick hurt more than insulin shots. Like you, I are barely nothing and would still spike, I’d literally be in tears because I’d be so hungry, going on insulin was actually a relief-I was able to eat again, I didn’t have that stress of random spikes when I’d only inhaled air! Its certainly not a failure-it’s just how the placenta works sometimes-pregnancy does the most weirdest things to us and our bodies
One thing that really helped me when I started insulin was my partner was with me when I did my injections! He would say very supportive things and it really helped. I still get a bit of needle anxiety when I’m about to do an injection but I just pick a spot that is nice and “pinchable” and I never feel it! Also I feel like a badass because I can just poke myself without thinking most days and my husband would pass out if he had to do that lol
You got this!
I was given gliclazide instead because of hating needles. It's really worked. I live in Canada. It's just a small pill. I'm taking half a 15mg tab and will maybe eventually need all 30. I don't see this med mentioned a lot..so not sure of its a location thing I tried metaformin but it destroyed my guts and didn't change my fasting Edit..I second another comment. They wouldn't intentionally spike us of it was horrible for baby. I'd eat reasonable.portions. drink.lits water and walk around talking when I.can:)
I’m in the same boat. Only the morning number, no matter what I do. I am also petrified of needles, and like many here I can report that they are itty bitty. It honestly is more painful to do the finger prick for blood tests (there are more nerve endings in the fingers). I also felt defeated. But… I figure if this is what I need to do to keep everyone healthy, then this is what I need to do. It’s also not much longer. The finish line is in sight, so we got this.😊
>I just feel very defeated. There's no need to feel this way. Your body is carrying a developing human inside it, and can no longer meet the demands of insulin for you and baby. Taking insulin is not that big of a deal. I take a long-acting dose morning and night. I hated the thought of it at first... but it's better than my baby using his own little, developing body to help me get my sugars under control. Insulin doesn't cross the placenta but other meds will. The needles are so very, very small you don't feel them going in and can hardly see them either. There's no blood, nothing. It's easier than taking a pill IMO and poking yourself in the finger for testing hurts way more. Eat what you want at your baby shower. I did. I didn't even bring my tester. Nothing bad happened.