u/Hannah90219

Im 31 weeks pregnant, a bit early but just thinking ahead.

I plan to harvest colostrum from 37 weeks, but I will not be latch feeding at any stage.

Question: I'm wondering from those who've done it - were you able to harvest colostrum whilst in labour. I'm having an early epidural for medical reasons. If I take my syringes can I get some for the baby while I'm in labour? Is it better to do it during early labour and bring it with me - I've seen a lot of women saying their frozen colostrum was binned at the hospital due to lack of storage options.

I also have no clue about feeding them after birth? I believe you only get colostrum for the first few days if breast feeding, so how do you balance that if using formula without over feeding?

Edit: I appreciate the advice around pumping and establishing supply but its not something im concerned with or willing to do. I'm realistic in my expectations. Consider it that I'm just willing to have 'a bit of a go' at getting him a little bit of breast milk, but mostly planning to use formula.

Please dont give me unsolicited advice on breast feeding or pumping, its not my concern. Im looking for advice around colostrum. The other info was for context only.

I'm having trouble finding anyone in the UK to talk to who had an early epidural. What was the experience like?

Anaesthesiologist wants me to get it asap because of cardiovascular issues. He said to come in early labour, and when I arrive, tell the midwife to get the anaesthesiologist straight away - and its in my notes from him directly, so hopefully I wont have to jump through any hoops.

(Sounds like some people struggle to convince them to do it until they're a certain amount dilated.)

Longer version:
Context, I have PFO with shunt made worse by Valsalva (hole in heart that allows blood to go backwards, made worse by pressure or bearing down like coughing, straining, picking heavy things up) and I have Orthostatic Hypotension.

The hole, and the fact the blood does go back on itself increases risk of stroke, which is already strong in my family history with my dad having one and his mum having 3, the last one killing her.

I met with the anaesthesiologist yesterday, and he said I probably shouldn't have Gas & Air because it expands in the chest, which would increase pressure and therefore make the shunt worse. The other options, paracetamol might not be enough, and I might increase pressure by holding my breath or bearing down too early with the pain. Diamorphine can affect the baby. Remifentanil can drop oxygen levels again, might not be a good idea for me.

He recommended my best option is early epidural to keep my cardiovascular system calm and stable throughout, and also because I don't tolerate general anaesthetic well. In the event you didn't get an epidural, you've gone past the point its safe to administer, and you need an emergency c-section, they may have to do it under general, if they have to get baby out really fast.

In my case, my body is delayed in responding to general anaesthetic, and I always need more numbing for procedures, dentist etc, so he just doesn't ever want that to be necessary, even though its rare and unlikely. He feels it's best if the epidural is in from the get-go.

The one thing I didn't want was an epidural. I wanted a water birth ideally and to manage with other pain relief, so I'm disappointed but its always going to be safety first.

Forgive me if I'm missing something key about GD and the role of insulin etc, but my fasted levels are, and always have been completely fine. Ideal in fact.

My HBA1C is also optimal, always.

But after the 2 hour GTT my glucose was still above the threshold. Since I've been given a monitor I only spike after high carb meals. Out of over 100 readings I have many 12 that were above threshold, and one below.

And even then I've had some really surprising successes. Half a large pizza, went for a walk, completely normal after 1 hour. I've had a chocolate brownie with no spike, a cookie. I had scampi and chips at the pub the other day, a big pub-sized portion, weirdly I was fine after that as well. We were vibing to live music in our chairs, bopping around a lot, so I was moving after the meal but I never stood up to dance or anything that would really burn off the excess glucose.

I dunno, I just feel like maybe it's a bit much to say I'm diabetic - baby was perfectly normal size at 20 week scan, 49th percentile and no concerns with amniotic fluid. I have upcoming size scans to check on him.

But I reckon anyone, if they were to monitor their blood sugar, would have a spike after a really heavy carb or sugar meal - we're not supposed to eat like that as humans.

And even with a spike, I have no trouble bringing it back down to normal before the next meal.

Like, this morning I had a chocolate bar because I was starving, and then took my pre-lunch reading half an hour later and it was below 5 nmol again. I have made a few sensible swaps, which Im sure are helping, but I havent been strict at all.

Just interested in opinions, and also the science if anyone knows.

Im still only on day 2 of monitoring. I had a high reading earlier above range, a 2.30pm after lunch.

Just now, pre dinner its in the red, very low.

No one mentioned low

I'm learning a lot here and it hasn't even been 24 hours since they gave me the monitor.

Context: in the UK they use nmol/l to measure, and the normal range post meal is 5.3 -7.8 nmol/l. Very low is less than 3.0 and very high is more than 11.0.

Yesterday, I got home from the appointment, had lunch out before I came home. Took my first reading:

• post-lunch -7.1
• Pre-dinner 5.1
• post-dinner 5.9 which is really good - hardly any rise.
• fasted morning reading - 4.8 - again, excellent.

There I am thinking, this thing is gonna be a breeze!

Now, I've had the same breakfast every morning since I was about 14-15 which is bran flakes with sultanas in semi-skimmed milk. This morning I only had a little bit left in the box, so I also had a banana. I don't want to change my routine unless I have to, and it was a good time to test, right as I run out. That way I know if I should buy more or cut them out.

My 1 hour post breakfast reading was 12.7 !!!

Pardon?? I've had this every day for decades!!! No wonder I always feel crap in the afternoons.

Guess I need a new safe breakfast I can have every morning. I dont do variety, Im autistic and routine is really key.

I don't like yoghurt or cheese. I'm allergic to nuts, apples, cherries, kiwis, pears and all berries so they're out. I don't love eggs. I mean I like them but I couldn't have them every morning forever.... What's a girl to do?

Any-one found a cereal or a simple breakfast like brown toast that doesn't spike them?

Well im 25w4d pregnant and I just got my results and a letter to come to the diabetic clinic.

This is my first baby. I need lots of advice and tips for a very fussy eater (autistic) on how to manage .

I would especially love good grocery tips for the UK- any little snack hacks, sauces etc that make life easier for diabetics

Thanks

First, I lived alone for about 4 years between 2019 -2023. Moved house twice in that time. I had previously owed a ps3, then got a ps5 when they came out.

In 2023 I moved again, into a house i bought with my partner. Mind you I had packed and unpacked all my dvds and games many times. In unpacking them at the new house I found a PS4 Resident Evil game. Not only have I never owned a PS4, I've never played or owned any resident evil game in my life, on any console. Nor had my partner. Again...lived alone. Moved house ourselves, no moving or packing service. Where did it come from?

Second isnt as much of a story but a few months ago I was in the kitchen putting dishes away. I was holding a ceramic measuring spoon. Out of nowhere it snapped in half in my hand. No big deal, sometimes if something had been very hot and cools too fast that happens.

I heard the spoon part hit the floor while I was holding the handle.

But the weird thing was, I looked down and it was not on the floor or anywhere around me. I found it over by the sink, on the worktop, about 6 ft away. How did it "fall" 6 ft horizontally through the air and land higher than my hand, and why did i hear it hit the floor right beneath me?