Gestational Diabetes....

[Pixelle]

Congratulations....pleased it went well for you

 

[belle-lettre]

Hi Pixelle,
Sorry about the GDM .

Just a note as someone in an earlier post mentioned that jacket potatoes were a good option if you have diabetes.

Well, you'd think they were...

Because of the slow cooking of a jacket potato in the oven, the way the skin goes all crispy, and the potato in the middle all soft, the carbohydrate in the spud changes and will actually put your blood sugar right up (all the sugars get very concentrated).

You could quite easily have a baked potato for tea, bit of coleslaw, slice of bread, etc, think you've chosen well, and an hour later your sugar could be well over 8-10+.

Nearly as bad as a Chinese takeaway for the blood sugars!

Good luck.. Yes it's a drag but it is being picked up and treated WAY earlier than a few years ago.

x

 

[sarafused]

Hi Pixelle,
Sorry about the GDM .

Just a note as someone in an earlier post mentioned that jacket potatoes were a good option if you have diabetes.

Well, you'd think they were...

Because of the slow cooking of a jacket potato in the oven, the way the skin goes all crispy, and the potato in the middle all soft, the carbohydrate in the spud changes and will actually put your blood sugar right up (all the sugars get very concentrated).

You could quite easily have a baked potato for tea, bit of coleslaw, slice of bread, etc, think you've chosen well, and an hour later your sugar could be well over 8-10+.

Nearly as bad as a Chinese takeaway for the blood sugars!

Good luck.. Yes it's a drag but it is being picked up and treated WAY earlier than a few years ago.

x

I do think its a case of trying things to see what works for the individual. I had a really big portion of macaroni cheese one evening and my blood sugar was fine. Now on paper white pasta should be a no-no but I had no reaction to it. I can also get away with a small ice-cream cone but discovered that even the smallest piece of frozen pizza works really badly for me.

 

[Pixelle]

Hi Pixelle,
Sorry about the GDM .

Just a note as someone in an earlier post mentioned that jacket potatoes were a good option if you have diabetes.

Well, you'd think they were...

Because of the slow cooking of a jacket potato in the oven, the way the skin goes all crispy, and the potato in the middle all soft, the carbohydrate in the spud changes and will actually put your blood sugar right up (all the sugars get very concentrated).

You could quite easily have a baked potato for tea, bit of coleslaw, slice of bread, etc, think you've chosen well, and an hour later your sugar could be well over 8-10+.

Nearly as bad as a Chinese takeaway for the blood sugars!

Good luck.. Yes it's a drag but it is being picked up and treated WAY earlier than a few years ago.

x

It's definitely all trial and error, as I said previously, what might be ok for me, isn't for others

Generally I microwave my potato for 10 mins then put it in the oven for a couple of minutes....but either way, it's okay for me.

Other people seem okay with white pasta...that's a complete no no for me. Same with many foods.

But thank you for your info....might help someone

 

[chocolate]

Hi everyone - I wondered if you could tell me if - so is it a case of eating whatever foods keep your levels low - even if that is chips or something that you wouldnt think was ok?

Im just wondering because my levels are within normal ranges and I ate a chicken in satay sauce with chips from the Chinese and a few prawn crackers and levels were easily fine, but had some pizza and they quickly nose-dived. I also found a strawberry and cream scone sent my levels sky high.

So is it ok to eat anything as long as levels stay within normal limit?

Edit - PS - so what is the difference between a diabetic diet and a gd diet? Im confused!

 

[fairygirl]

If you read back, Pixelle says to avoid high fats too. I think this is mainly to help control your weight as I think being overweight doesn't do us any favours.

 

[Pixelle]

Hi everyone - I wondered if you could tell me if - so is it a case of eating whatever foods keep your levels low - even if that is chips or something that you wouldnt think was ok?

Im just wondering because my levels are within normal ranges and I ate a chicken in satay sauce with chips from the Chinese and a few prawn crackers and levels were easily fine, but had some pizza and they quickly nose-dived. I also found a strawberry and cream scone sent my levels sky high.

So is it ok to eat anything as long as levels stay within normal limit?

Edit - PS - so what is the difference between a diabetic diet and a gd diet? Im confused!

I'm not sure about anything to do with low sugars as that's not what I've got.

GD is different to normal diabetes, therefore the diet is different. For example, you shouldn't eat "diabetic only" foods....like special chocolate or whatever.
Even low GI foods sometimes have high amounts of what GD people shouldn't be eating.

As far as I'm aware (and what I've been told) people with GD should be aiming for a balanced, healthy diet.

Low fat, low sugar, low salt, high fibre. Lots of exercise and lots of water.

I've been told not to eat chinese, pizza etc unless it's a treat and only very occasionally.

But generally, I wouldn't say you should eat anything just to keep your levels ok. It's about a healthy lifestyle, really.

I'm no expert and have only had this for two weeks, but I know what I've been told and a lot of it is down to trial and error as everybody is different.

 

[Pixelle]

Oh yeah...

I have my 2nd appointment with the dietician and consultant tomorrow.

I'm not looking forward to waiting around all day but hopefully I've done well this week.

Most of my levels have been okay. But I am having difficulty with the tablets. They're so big, I struggle to swallow them and gag. I'm don't know if I'm allowed the cut them up either It upsets me.
It sounds such a stupid thing to be upset over but I've never been very good with pills.
I'm going to mention it tomorrow and see if I can cut them up, as that will make it much easier to take them!

I also have my growth scan tomorrow. Slightly apprehensive but excited I get to see my baby again
My OH is taking a day off work, unpaid (he's on a contract) so he can come with me....he's looking forward to seeing if everything is okay, too.

Hope everyone is okay

 

[fairygirl]

Tescos was so depressing! Read all the labels, got some snacks but overall I'm traumatised by it all. Are natural sugars found in fruit and syrup ok?

 

[chocolate]

Hi everyone - I wondered if you could tell me if - so is it a case of eating whatever foods keep your levels low - even if that is chips or something that you wouldnt think was ok?

Im just wondering because my levels are within normal ranges and I ate a chicken in satay sauce with chips from the Chinese and a few prawn crackers and levels were easily fine, but had some pizza and they quickly nose-dived. I also found a strawberry and cream scone sent my levels sky high.

So is it ok to eat anything as long as levels stay within normal limit?

Edit - PS - so what is the difference between a diabetic diet and a gd diet? Im confused!

I'm not sure about anything to do with low sugars as that's not what I've got.

GD is different to normal diabetes, therefore the diet is different. For example, you shouldn't eat "diabetic only" foods....like special chocolate or whatever.
Even low GI foods sometimes have high amounts of what GD people shouldn't be eating.

As far as I'm aware (and what I've been told) people with GD should be aiming for a balanced, healthy diet.

Low fat, low sugar, low salt, high fibre. Lots of exercise and lots of water.

I've been told not to eat chinese, pizza etc unless it's a treat and only very occasionally.

But generally, I wouldn't say you should eat anything just to keep your levels ok. It's about a healthy lifestyle, really.

I'm no expert and have only had this for two weeks, but I know what I've been told and a lot of it is down to trial and error as everybody is different.

Hmm, see I thought thats what diabetics should eat too - thanks for the info

 

[chocolate]

ps - just found this:

It should be noted that non-pregnant diabetics can consume sugar and sweets in limited amounts; for them, a carb is a carb and as long as intake and calories are not excessive and adequate nutritional intake is followed, sugar and sweets can be part of their overall intake. However, for pregnant women with glucose intolerance, sugar should not be part of their intake. Pregnancy hormones cause them to be too sensitive to sweets, plus control during pregnancy has to be much more strict than non-pregnant diabetics must aim for. So sweets during pregnancy should be strictly avoided.

 

[fairygirl]

Found this:

https://www.diabetes-diabetic-diet.com/gestational_diabetes_diet.htm

Will post more if I find, basically Googled 'Dietary advice for gestational diabetes'.

 

[Pixelle]

I'm so pissed off.

Trying my hardest to control this and still my levels are high.
I had a ham, lettuce and tomato sandwich on seeded bread and my result was 8.9! I've been fine with that before....so whats going on? Grrr.

I think they'll want to put me on tablets all day...and I can't swallow them.

Trying to help others kinda kept me ok and focussed but no one should listen to me, I'm a bloody failure.

Just thought everything was going ok but my levels have been creeping up, even though I'm eating better.

I'm so sick of this now

 

[Fifi61467]

oy don't say you are a failure. You aren't .it's the baby putting extra demands on you as it grows. It's one of those crappy things that you can't help. No matter how good you are if you have gd then it kindof keeps getting worse as babe gets bigger and nearer term.
You've done really well and been an inspiration to lots. Definatley to me. I'm new on the board and found your posts and advice really helpful.
Good luck and chin up.
I'm only 24 weeks and already on met and insulin.

 

[kazzywazzy]

Pixelle, your advice has been great - pls dont be so hard on yourself!

I too found out i had GD two weeks ago and its tough. Somedays i can eat something which previously kept my levels ok only to find i am way above where i should be. Somedays there seems to be no logic! I dont know if this is normal or not (i suspect it is!), but wanted you to know your not alone! x

 

[sarafused]

I'm so pissed off.

Trying my hardest to control this and still my levels are high.
I had a ham, lettuce and tomato sandwich on seeded bread and my result was 8.9! I've been fine with that before....so whats going on? Grrr.

I think they'll want to put me on tablets all day...and I can't swallow them.

Trying to help others kinda kept me ok and focussed but no one should listen to me, I'm a bloody failure.

Just thought everything was going ok but my levels have been creeping up, even though I'm eating better.

I'm so sick of this now

Dont worry! Just dump the bread! How about having it on a wrap instead? Ive found that now bread doesnt sit well with me, though it really depends on the sort. I had a homemade hamburger on a white roll last night that didnt bother me, but we have some wholemeal bread that isnt good for me. Its trial and error.

And its the same problem Ive had. Until about 2 weeks ago Ive been able to eat anything with no problem with a handful of exceptions. Its because baby is getting bigger now that the problems start to show. I havent made it loads but a couple of times we've had homemade pizza, I made it for the first time in ages last Saturday and a small portion sent me up to 8.3 - ive never had a reading so high, it just means that i wont have pizza again.

You just need to keep making changes and see what agrees with you. When I have a reading thats high for me I just write it on the side so that they can see whats caused it and also make it clear I know why its high and avoid it for the future.

As I said until 2 weeks ago my readings were fine, now my morning reading tends to be between 5.4-5.7. Before meals are fine and afterwards is still in limits (ignoring the pizza incident) but I can see its sneaking upwards.Where it may have been around 6.3 its now 6.9 for example. Ive got an appointment with a diabetic midwife next week to see about my figures because I know the mornings ones especially need looking at as no diet change will help that.

 

[Pixelle]

Thank you ladies

Had a complete cry-fest last night and somehow feel a little better now.

At least I can discuss it all today with the dietician and consultant, and I get to see my baby again

I'm glad I've helped others a little, knowing that keeps me sort of sane!

 

[fairygirl]

You've helped me

I think it's trial and error and just when you think you've got it your body's demand changes!

 

[Pixelle]

So, I had my appointments at the hospital yesterday. Total mess up with times etc but finally got out at 5pm, after arriving at 12:30pm

Saw the consultant first who upped my meds to twice a day....if that doesn't help by Saturday, I've got to take them 4 times a day. Twice in morning, twice in evening.
I'm happy with that as although I'm trying my best with diet and exercise, sometimes GD gets worse through no fault, just the way the pregnancy is progressing.
They are happy with my diet and efforts so that good.
I have to go back again next week to see him.

I then had a growth scan and he's definitely a boy!!!
All measurements are fine, he's weighing 3lb 7 at the moment, which I've been told is fine.
His abdomen is measuring average too so that's good.

I then saw the obstetrician who went through my scan results and told me the chances of a vaginal delivery are good and that they'd continue to monitor me but she can't see there being any problems, at the moment.

I have another growth scan in 4 weeks, just to check progress and weight etc again.

All in all, I feel happier today, knowing my baby isn't being affected (yet) by GD

 

[bexyd31]

Hi Ladies,

After my previous rant I thought I would post my update here! Thank you ladies for your responses and Pixelle for your lovely reply. sorry your feeling a little low today

Ok, so after seeing the dietician and consultatant at Clinic yesterday (i'm sure I saw you there Pixelle LOL, how bizarre!), they have started me on insulin twice a day - once in morning, once in evening on the lowest dose 4mg. The dietician said she was really happy with my diet, and she would not change a thing. If I was going to be able to control the diabetes with diet and exercise then what I am eating would be perfect, but my body obviously just can't manage. TBH, that made me feel a bit better about what I had been doing and I feel ok about taking insulin - especially if I don't have the stress of high readings. Also my hbh1 blood test (I think thats what its called) came back with a good result, showing that they do think it is GD rather than pre-existing diabetes

The diebetic midwife showed me how to use the insulin pen and I had lots of practise with her. I have decided to inject in my leg as I just can't do it in my tummy. But by the time I got home last night, I was just too tired to even think about injecting myself (got out of clinic at about 4:30pm, had to take my son to streetdance, find a chemist that had my insulin pens in stock and get some food shopping so did not get home till 8.30pm) so just ate a muller light yogurt and banana and went to bed!

So, I did my first injection this morning and it was ok. It hurts less than pricking my finger, I just have to get over the mind bit - I think it will get easier the more I do it. I had a morning blood sugar reading of 5 and then ate one slice of seeded toast with scrambled egg....... tested blood sugar one hour later and it was 8.3 So the insulin made no difference. It was a bit of a disapointment to say the least.

Then I went for my scan (they could not fit me in yesterday) and it was not such great news. Thankfully my little one looks happy in there, and she is defo a girl , but she is already very big. Her tummy measurement is on the 97th centile and they estimate that she is already 4lb 1oz. So my diabeties has already has had an impact on her Also my amniotic fluid has significantly increased and is just over the normal level. I have to wait to see the consultant next week to see what this all means.

So after having a couple of quite positive days, I have had a good old cry again this morning! I think I am going to see if my insulin works this evening and if not try and get hold of my diabeties midwife to see if I can increase my dose. I don't want to wait another week.

Bexy x x

Sending big hugs to you all