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Pregnancy diabetics

Posted By Gestational diabetes

"Pregnancy diabetics"

About: Nepean Hospital

(as the patient),

I did a glucose test that came in at a high reading that I found unusual as I watch my diet and sugar intake. Then being transferred to another hospital to be waiting around 7 hours to find out I'm apparently gestational diabetic. Did a class, only to learn that I don't need to change my diet. Was given a blood glucose meter used that for 2 weeks. My readings came in at normal pregnancy glucose readings. I went back for second check up now have told me the readings are too low or either the machine is faulty or I might be hypoglycemic. I have been given a new glucose meter and have to go back in another 2 weeks. I'm finding the hole situation confusing as I'm not showing any symptoms of gestational diabetes or hypoglycemia and they will not send me for another glucose test, as I'm 33 week's pregnant. Been shoved between different doctors and midwifes. I find this very impersonal causing lots of added stress. Having a baby is meant to be a fun and exciting time - this isn't the experience I'm having.

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Responses

Response from Care Opinion Australia 7 years ago
Care Opinion Australia

Submitted on 3/10/2017 at 11:42 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:43 AM

The following response has been published by Patient Opinion on behalf of Nepean Hospital.

We are sorry that you were dissatisfied with the service you received at Nepean at the Specialist Antenatal Clinic. We have a very large population of gestational diabetics – around 600 new cases per year - and the clinics can get very busy and the waits longer than expected. We are in the process of modifying the diabetic clinic so that all low risk Gestational Diabetics Mellitus (GDM) go back to their original clinic and are not transferred to this clinic. We are also introducing a midwives clinic to look after low risk GDM women under the supervision of a Staff Specialist.

As background, the diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is complex and involves undertaking a Glucose Tolerance Test. It’s important to note there are no signs or symptoms for GDM unlike other types of Diabetes where people may experience physical symptoms before they get diagnosed. A diagnosis of GDM can be completely unrelated to diet and lifestyle factors and is usually a surprise to most women. Most women will return to their ‘normal care’ team in their usual location after being trained in diet and blood glucose level testing by the Diabetes team and will continue to do finger pricks. However, about 50% of women with GDM will find that diet alone is not enough and will need to take insulin doses and stay with the specialist team in the clinic at Nepean Hospital.

Again I am sorry you felt inconvenienced, we try very hard to accommodate all pregnant women.

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