Gestational diabetes

[Baby.Love12]

I had to do the three hour glucose test monday and my levels came back elevated While I haven't received a call from my dr yet 2 of my numbers were above normal so everything I have read says this means gestational diabetes. I am really scared. Does anyone have experience with this? Will my baby be ok?

 

[2have4kids]

Hi Babylove, I was just diagnosed too and haven't yet been to my appointment. I know I'll be ok. I think mine is a combination of age & insulin/sugar sensitivity. I've had a terrible rotty mouth feel this entire pregnancy anytime I eat anything carby or sweet. Fruit, toast, pasta, noodles all make my mouth feel terrible after eating them and I'd feel absolutely sick if I ate ice cream! A little how I felt after glugging down the Orange drink-wasn't that a treat? So now that I know about my gd I eat pretty well, 90% protein & veg with the odd healthy carbs and a fruit if I crave desert. I've only gained 12/13 lbs so far and my BMI is 24 so it can't be that bad right? Their main concern I think is that you're eating proper nutrition for baby to grow (veg & protein), your baby isn't growing too big or they'll induce you, or that you're not over loading your system with excess sugar or they'll give you insulin to inject to get rid of it.

It sounds like after the group info session on Thursday that I'm booked for will give me a food log and sugar monitor. You check your blood sugar before a meal and 2 hours afterwards 4 x day for 2 weeks. Then they look at your sugar levels from the monitor. If you exercise it helps your body burn off excess glycogen/sugar. I already walk and have fitness classes so not sure what else there is to do? Don't worry, treat your body kindly and I'm sure the doctors will take care of you. I think gd must be quite common.

 

[Charmed86]

Hi hun, sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but it can be easily managed It's all down to your hormones, so please don't think any of this is your fault. I've been managing my GD with a high protein, high fat diet, obviously low in carbs. I try to have some carbs with every meal/snack as baby still needs them to grow, however I try to pair them with enough protein, fat & veg/salad to slow the processing.

Testing can vary a lot depending on where you are from, I have to test in the morning before I have my breakfast (my fasting reading), and then 1hr after each meal. My diabetic team have given me numbers that they'd like me to stay below.

As time goes on, you might find that you can tolerate carbs less - this doesn't mean you need to cut them down, but that you need medication to help manage it. Again,this isn't anything you're doing wrong, it's just that our hormones will continue to increase up to around 36 weeks & unfortunately GD can get worse up to that point.

I found a UK based FB group, but I know there are some US groups on there too. It might be helpful to join one of them if you can? I've found the UK to be a godsend when getting my head around GD! Although B&B is fantastic, I've not found many women on here with GD, so the support I get on the FB group has been wonderful.

Your baby should be absolutely fine as long as your GD is managed well (either by diet, or meds). Your team should keep a closer eye on you & baby from now on anyway, so any problems will be caught early xxx

 

[Baby.Love12]

Thank you for your responses. I think I am in shock. Idk what to eat I think that will help once they have me see someone. I am assuming the dr will call me at some point today. I have already sent an email to the nurse through the patient portal which is where I found the results. I am just worried that something will go terribly wrong.

 

[2have4kids]

https://www.healthline.com/health/gestational-diabetes-diet#Basics2

Babylove stick to what your doctor recommends. Carbs are directly related to your blood sugar levels. While you don't need to eliminate them, you do need to count them and ensure you're trying to get nutritious carbs in. They're great for fattening baby up (which is why they advise you counting them for risk of too large a baby) but most of your nutrition comes from veg & protein. The article above also states that you maybe low in magnesium/calcium if you've tested positive for GD. Have you had restless legs at night? Or crampy muscles? It's a classic sign of low potassium, magnesium, and sometimes calcium. I've had to supplement with potassium (coconut water has 7x the potassium than 1 banana) and magnesium. Mag also ensures you won't get constipated (neat stuff ) I found a powder that you can add to your tea, 1 tsp/day and you're set. There's lots of great articles on the web about this and your doctor will echo medical facts around GD. Your baby will be fine!

 

[CarolinDallas]

Hi Babylove. I was diagnosed with GD 4 weeks ago. The nutritionist recommended me a high protein low carb diet and exercise but my numbers were still high so my doctor gave me 1500 mg of metformin a day. A few days ago I got Bell's Palsy (facial paralysis) so I have to take steroids that sent my glucose levels through the roof. Now I think they'll give me a combo of metformin and insulin (I haven't had my appointment yet.) As you see, there are alternatives to treat GD. The good part is that everything is supposed to go back to normal a few days after the baby is born. We can do this!

 

[Js32313]

I just found out I have GD a few weeks ago also. I had to meet with a doc, nurse, and dietician. They have all been great. I also met with a high risk doc who will keep an eye on babies growth. I have to test blood sugar when I first wake up and 2 hrs after meals. They want me to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks a day. I eat about 30 carbs for breakfast and snacks. I get 60 for lunch and dinner. It's not horrible. I was put on insulin at night because my fasting numbers were getting alittle high. It has nothing to do with what I am eating or doing. Just liver can't keep up. They showed a graph of what your body needs during pregnancy. By the time you deliver you need about 3 times the insulin. Some people just can't keep up. He check my A1C at appointment and said I didn't have diabetes before pregnancy so he isn't worried about to many problems other then baby getting to big. He said I wouldn't have had it when most of development occurred so not a bigger risk of birth defects or anything. That was reassuring. I was nervous when I found out. I get extra ultrasounds to monitor growth and just them keeping a good eye on you and your baby. It's not horrible. The only thing is now I really want to eat all the sugary things out there and I cant. I told my husband he is bringing me all these sugary things to the hospital.

 

[2have4kids]

Js323, we have a 'diabetic depot' store in my city that sells things like no sugar butter tarts, cheese crackers (high protein/fat no sugar & very little carb), all sorts of sweet yummy stuff. Do you have anything like that to help out those cravings? I'm making a zucchini high protein chocolate cake today, uses greek yoghurt & apple sauce as sweeteners, can't wait to stuff my face with chocolaty goodness

 

[Js32313]

I will have to look into that. I didn't even know they had those types of stores. I have done well so far with what I have been eating and have figured out ways to have some stuff but I just keep seeing things that look so good. It's funny because it's not really stuff I ate much before but now that it's off limits it looks so good. I was at work and someone brought in donuts. I never really eat donuts yet I really wanted one yesterday. I think it's more that it's not allowed that's the problem. It's been the same way with stuff you can't have being pregnant. Makes me really want things. It's ok tho. I can manage. I only have 9 weeks left of I make it to due date but my high risk doc said our goal is 39 weeks so just 8 to go.

 

[Baby.Love12]

My dr called today and confirmed what I already knew. Idk why but hearing it upset me so bad. I have been crying all day. I went to the store and bought things I think are good: greek yogurt, raw almonds, a turkey, chicken breats, avocado, cucumber berries etc. The dr office told me they sent a referral to a specialist and I am supposed to wait 3-4 business days for them to call me to set an appointment at which time I will attend a 3-4 hour class on diabetes. How often do you see your dr? And specialist? Does everyone have to poke their finger? Will they supply me with the meter etc? I am on medicaid bc I was recently laid off from my job and lost my insurance. Am hoping my dr delivers me as I am already a c section around 37 weeks so only 8 weeks to go! I can do this.

 

[2have4kids]

Baby love the food you bought sounds fantastic, yum! Don't be too upset, our bodies give us problems at the best of times. You can be in fantastic shape and have a great diet and still get GD. The blood testing is done with one of those finger prick devices yes, I'm not looking forward to it. It's all covered for us here in Canada and I hope Medicare covers it for you down there. A few more years of universal healthcare and a gov't that supports it will improve what's covered. The democrats were also talking about maternity leave during the last few weeks. Wouldn't that be amazing to start catching up to the rest of the world? I wish you good luck with your appointments bella!

 

[Js32313]

I'm pretty sure everyone has to check with a meter. It's just a matter of what your doctor wants you to do and when. I am not sure if your supplies will be covered or not. I don't know what Medicaid covers but I would think it would. My insurance covered my supplies and meter. I have only met with the doc once so far but I have to email him numbers weekly. I will see him agian in a couple weeks.

 

[DoubleTFun]

I have to poke my finger 4 times a day and I only had the original consult appointment. I email my numbers every Sunday night and they email me back. They supplied the meter, but my supplies I have to pay the copay. Which for me is $23 for a 25 day supply. I have trouble with my night time fasting numbers since they want it under 90 and mine keep being around 94-99. They mentioned about putting me on something but haven't done it yet. My other numbers have been pretty good with an occasional number in the 130-140 range. They want mine under 120.

 

[Baby.Love12]

I guess I will just have to wait. I actually want to test my sugar so I can see if what I am doing is actually working. I feel like I am blind right now. Today went ok I am feeling a little hungry but otherwise ok.

 

[WW1]

Hi all. I had a phone call today to say I've become part of the GD club! I've got an appointment tomorrow so will hopefully know more then. Not pleased but I'll do what I can to make sure baby and I are safe. I hope everyone else is doing okay.

 

[2have4kids]

OK, now that I have the blood sugar monitor I can fully understand how carbs make me feel sick. Had 3/4 cup pasta with a polish sausage the other day, bs = 9.5 after 2 hours (healthy range is between 4-7). Had a spinach salad, with hemp hearts, chicken, almonds, cranberries, and oranges along with 1 piece of focaccia bread (so veggies & meat were the mains here not carb) and the blood sugar was down at 4.8 after 2 hours. I don't know if it effects you ladies like this but I've known that pasta and heavy carbs make me feel lethargic and crappy and for a very good reason. I can't lose weight eating carby food either - it puts weight on me like nothing else so it totally goes to show how much sugar is in the breakdown of carby food. Great for marathon runners, for office workers-not so much

 

[Baby.Love12]

WW1 I am sorry to welcome you to the GD club. It sucks. I received a call from the specialist on friday and they have me scheduled for next Monday for some diabetes class where I will receive all my supplies. Joy!

2have4kids why don't you try some whole wheat pasta? I haven't felt that way yet but be very careful about what you eat bc that doesn't sound to fun. Your 1 week ahead of me so we are almost there! I'm glad to have found a group of girls but sorry at the same time!

 

[Js32313]

I don't really have to many issues with carbs making me feel blah. Maybe really full but they do affect weight loss. I do the best on low carb diets. I have been doing a pretty good job with my numbers but I'm on a family vacation right now with so much good food. Watching everyone else eat all this stuff has been tough but I have managed to have alittle here and there and still have good numbers. Whole wheat is good. The dietician I met with said to pick that when you can. I had spaghetti tonight with whole wheat pasta. Was yummy.

 

[2have4kids]

Babylove, I only have whole wheat & gluten free in the pantry. They break down slower but maybe still spike my sugar too much. I'll try making a casserole this week with meat onions carrots & mushrooms + creamy soup. I need the calories & the carbs, just maybe pasta is not my thing. It's also what I barfed up Saturday but I attributed that to uncomfortable baby pressure up into my ribs while I was eating.

 

[Charmed86]

Be careful with the carrots, if your sauce is tomatoey or you'll be serving potatoes. The FB group I'm on recommends at least doubling your protein/fat/low carb veg for each portion of carbs. If you use creams etc, be sure to use full fat & not a light version as again, they'll slow the processing of your carbs

Last night I managed sausage, mash & beans with a side salad.. I put full fat milk, butter & cheese into the mash. It was delicious!

And I'm so sick of toast & peanut butter for breakfast. It was slowly killing me off, I had to force myself to eat it! Yuck. Tried some Ready Brek yesterday with some walnuts & seeds mixed in, & some pistachios on the side. That worked! Hurrah! I miss cereal so bad xx