Gestational Diabetes Check in

Dr Quarters

SoulTermination said:

Dr Quarters said:

I can always tell if my blood sugar is "high" because I feel sick and get kind of shaky. It's only happened a couple times but it was definitely unpleasant.

This is exactly how I feel when my blood sugar is low.  I don't notice any effects at all when it's high, but boy howdy, can I tell when I need to mow down several Skittles for a temporary boost until I can eat a snack (usually this happens when I'm out running errands with DH)!

This is what caused me to check because my mom would always say the same thing. I checked and was surprised to see a higher number since I was expecting a really low one. This whole thing is just a giant clusterfuck of confusion.

newter135

So more frequently (twice now) I've had a super low fasting number (in the 60's) which is hypoglycemic and considered too low. Does anyone know if this continues if my doctor would make me go on insulin? Typically I have an evening snack but sometimes I'm just too full from dinner and don't have the 'room' for a snack so I'm not sure if I should just force one down to keep my numbers from dropping too low over night or if it's something I really shouldn't even be concerned about.

Rrrrrachel

You need to have a snack. Insulin would only make your numbers lower. Maybe you could eat dinner earlier.

rockstarlaw

Hmmm. Almost all of my fasting numbers are in the low 70s :-? I wonder if I should emphasize pre-bedtime snacks too. All my nutritionist told me so far is be under 120. But this is my first week of testing...?

Rrrrrachel

We got KFC for dinner because we were busy cleaning all day. I wasn't GOING to eat any potatoe wedges, but . . . So now I'm taking a walk.

Laroo0220

KFC sounds so good. We almost stopped there on our way out of town Friday but I said forget it bc I wouldn't be able to eat anything on the menu I wanted since I would follow up eating by sitting in the car.

Rrrrrachel

A drumstick only has three carbs and a thigh only has 8!

christinanoelle

Surprisingly fried chicken doesn't have that many carbs! 6 mcnuggets only has 18 carbs..not the healthiest options lol but oh so delicious! That's what's on my plate tonight.. Sunday night splurge!

Rrrrrachel

Chicken nuggets are my go to snack when I'm feeling like eating something junky.

Jesster11

I am so over these guidelines and am loosely following them at this point. 

For instance, carb-wise I can have half a muffin. I was hungry and had a whole muffin (double my breakfast carb allotment) and it brought me all the way up to 91. Ohhhhhh. (Sarcasm).

 I also got bored of eating the same thing at home, so we ventured to take-out, and all my numbers have been in the 90s.... A big slice of pizza (didn't eat the crust - but could have, plus some hummus and veggies), 3 chicken crispy shell tacos from Chipotle (no beans, rice or corn salsa),a single cheeseburger from Wendy's, and since I've been nesting like crazy all day, DH is picking up Greek/Mediterranean right now. 

Oh, and I am a horrible GD-er because if my numbers are in the lower half after I test, I will sometimes have a piece of chocolate.

rockstarlaw

Question re: testing for ketones: is this supposed to be done while fasting? (i.e. in the morning?) I just bought the strips and went ahead and tested for shits & giggles. It said mine were moderate. I'll test fasting in the AM to compare, but I was curious since the instructions on the container didn't say one way or the other.

Laroo0220

rockstarlaw said:

Question re: testing for ketones: is this supposed to be done while fasting? (i.e. in the morning?)

I just bought the strips and went ahead and tested for shits & giggles. It said mine were moderate. I'll test fasting in the AM to compare, but I was curious since the instructions on the container didn't say one way or the other.

I was told to test first thing in the am for ketones. Do u eat a very low carb diet? The first time I tested I got moderate but never have since. I wouldn't stress too much just up your carbs a bit if your numbers have been ok.

Rrrrrachel

If your numbers are good with what you're eating than don't get hung up on the guidelines. 

I don't test for ketones at all, no one told me too.  ketones can be due to not eating enough as well as not eating enough carbs. 

sweetmelissa0707

I was not instructed/ required to test for them this time either.

acrookston

1. When did you get your diagnosis? At 32 weeks...passed one hour at 28 weeks but was concerned that they drew it over 10 minutes late and previous history of GD with previous pregnancy.  Scheduled second one hour test and failed.  Of course, scheduled three hour and failed that too.

2. Are you diet controlled or are you on meds?Diet controlled as of now...

3. What's helping you control your blood glucose numbers?  Any tricks you can give us?Just stickin' to the rules

4. How are you doing?  How are you feeling about your diagnosis/treatment plan/blood sugar control?  I was expecting to have GD since I had it with my first pregnancy but for some reason it still bums me out...Less than two months to go!

christinanoelle

How's everyone holding up with GD? I've had an ok few days, had to increase my insulin to get my fasting numbers under again but all seems to be controlled for now..

rockstarlaw

I still hate the diet. HATE IT. I want all the carbs! This is cruelest joke for a pregnant carb-addict to endure! Haha!! Only for LO....at least it's temporary!

Rrrrrachel

I'm hanging in. My fasting numbers have been good the last week or so, so that's encouraging!

christinanoelle

That's great @Rrrrrachel, I know you were concerned about your birth plan if you needed insulin so everything looks good for now I assume?

@rockstarlaw I can't wait to have a huge bowl of pasta and not worry about my sugar levels!

newter135

Doing ok. I also hate the diet or at least the anxiety the diet brings on of like ugh can't have too much of this or that because I have to test after this meal and I don't want a high number. I also really really miss risotto. I used to have a veggie risotto (mushroom or squash or peas) once a week it's such a comfort food and I really miss eating it. Only two more months at the most if LO is late but hopefully less.

Jesster11

Are most of you primarly having issues with your fasting numbers? 

My fasting number was fine on the GTT, but my big issue was the 2-hour draw, so now I'm testing fasting and two hours after every meal.

I followed the meal plan to a t the first few days, but it was way too much food.  Now I am experimenting with carbs that I actually like, and I seem to be tolerating them well.  Last night I had two heaping jumbo scoops on mashed potatoes and my numbers were fine. 

This morning I actually went as far having a Krispy Kreme donut with my 1/2 a cup of cottage cheese, and my testing number was in the lower half of the accepted range.

I'm planning on having a very interesting conversation during my follow up appointment this Friday.

newter135

Jesster11 said:

Are most of you primarly having issues with your fasting numbers? 

My fasting number was fine on the GTT, but my big issue was the 2-hour draw, so now I'm testing fasting and two hours after every meal.

I followed the meal plan to a t the first few days, but it was way too much food.  Now I am experimenting with carbs that I actually like, and I seem to be tolerating them well.  Last night I had two heaping jumbo scoops on mashed potatoes and my numbers were fine. 

This morning I actually went as far having a Krispy Kreme donut with my 1/2 a cup of cottage cheese, and my testing number was in the lower half of the accepted range.

I'm planning on having a very interesting conversation during my follow up appointment this Friday.

That's what happened to me when I was first diagnosed and my doc now has me testing just my fasting number and 2 hours after one of my meals instead of all of them

Jesster11

@newter135 - Hopefully they will let me do that (in fact, I'm doing to insist on it).  So far the only things that have set me over were a slice of flourless chocolate cake and 1/4 of a small cheesecake covered in Oreos.  So basically dense, sugar loaded cakes on top of carb heavy meals.

I think DH will  be happy if I can cut back on testing b/c I'm sure he's getting sick of me going "Ha! I CAN eat x,y,z!" every day.  And I am getting sick of stressing over those moment of truth seconds waiting for my numbers to show up.

christinanoelle

I had an appointment with my doctor today and apparently some things have changed in quebec with regards to GD. She referred me to the high risk section of the hospital I will be delivering at. She said it is more a formality and to discuss possible induction. But she also said in the case where the diabetes is controlled (as mine is) even with insulin it doesn't necessarily mean I will be induced.. I'm just so confused! Are any of you in this situation?

christinanoelle

mamrotu73 said:

I'd link you if I wasn't on mobile. But the ACOG guidelines in regards to GD are available online. I found them via google.

Thank you! I'll look that up..It was just the first mention of a high risk appointment and it kind of freaked me out..I will definitely read up on it more. 

Rrrrrachel

Here in the us I think most women do get induced, either by 40 weeks if diet controlled or 39 if meds. That's just what I've gleaned from talking to people, though. My mw want the baby here by 41 weeks if diet controlled.

bootsiebabe

I'm on meds and will be induced at 39 weeks (or c-section unless this little guy flips...he's breech now...cause I don't have enough to stress about!)

I'm on 500 mg of metformin at night and my after meal numbers have been lower than ever.  Like 115 maximum, even though I'm eating the exact same stuff.  But it seems like my fasting numbers are creeping back up.  I'm supposed to be 90 or below and I was at 92 yesterday and 90 today.  Ugh. 

SoulTermination

Fasting numbers finally seem to be under control after kicking up my insulin dosage twice, so that has me relieved aside from hoping I don't have to pick up a new 5-pack of pens just before LO comes.  Would hate to only use one pen and wind up wasting the other four. x.x

Other numbers have been well-controlled, even surprising me at times when I realized after eating something that I really shouldn't have eaten it (77g A&W root beer float, ack!).  Breaded stuff seems to hike my numbers higher (no more chicken parmesan for me, sadface).

Thankfully I was told by my endo that, while shower day isn't an entirely free day, I can have cake and things if I scrape off the super-sugary frosting on top.  I'll use Cool Whip to replace it (and maybe some fruit, depending on what type of cake it is), so that's fine with me. XD

christinanoelle

@SoulTermination it is amazing how different foods affect us all so differently! Breaded foods (chicken nuggets) are fine for me, but ice cream did not go over well (i can't even imagine what my number would have been like after a root beer float! lol) 

I also asked about my shower today as it is supposed to be a testing day and they advised me to skip the testing on that day and just do it the day after.. She also advised me to not only eat carbs but a piece of cake and some carbs is fine! Looking forward to Sunday!! 

rockstarlaw

Stupid question alert: why do women with GD get induced? I was really hoping to avoid that :-S

ETA: is it because the babies are generally bigger?

Rrrrrachel

Yes it's because the babies can be bigger. Also the placenta ages a little faster than a normal pregnancy.

Rrrrrachel

If you're due date is really off maybe the induction will be moot! I think early us are considered pretty reliable in establishing gestational age, though.

bootsiebabe

@rockstarlaw - Big baby is a worry, but my OB seems more concerned about the placental aging.  Apparently the placenta just wears out sooner, which can obviously be detrimental to the baby.  My doc is "checking" on the placenta with twice weekly NSTs, weekly ultrasounds for amniotic fluid levels, and one more growth ultrasound.  

rockstarlaw

I am the worst diabetic ever. I mean, I am TRYING I be good for my son, but I am angry I have to be so restrictive about my diet right now. I want pasta. I want a root beer float. I want blueberry muffins and fruit before lunch! I want to eat what I damn well please! Bah!

Meanwhile, my numbers have been okay-ish but I've had three readings over the past week (my first week of testing) that were over - all of which I can identify why except today's lunch of a grilled cheese sandwich and maybe a cup (measurement) of tomato soup. Maybe the soup had more sugar in it than I realized!

Either way, I am really trying not to be so bummed about this, but this has to be the cruelest joke ever played on a pregnant carb junkie.

Rrrrrachel

My guess is the lunch needed more protein, but yeah idk! I hope it gets easier for you!

bootsiebabe

Next time maybe try a grilled ham and cheese for some extra protein? 

It totally does seem like a cruel joke!  Hang in there - we're in the home stretch now! 

SoulTermination

I feel bad now, @rockstarlaw, since the reason you probably want a root beer float is 'cause of me mentioning it the other day.  >:D<

Here I thought I was being "naughty" by testing the limits and pushing the envelope trying to find out where I had wiggle room, lol.  I wish you didn't have so many restrictions!

Abcollins57

Does anyone else find that the diet has more carbs than you normally take in? If I follow the diet, my numbers are significantly higher. If I loosely follow it (balance my carbs with protein and fiber at meals but load up on fresh veggies for snack) my numbers are great. I don't get it!
Also, how high were your numbers before your doctor put you on meds?

Rrrrrachel

I can't get anywhere near the recommended number of carbs before I'm over. I'll get meds if 50% of either my fasting or post prandial numbers are overthe limit (95 and 130, respectively)

haziedaze

My spot checks have been higher (140 1h after dinner last night and 135 tonight). I didn't get a lot of protein either night hence the spot check, so I think it's back to counting carbs and writing things down again. Sounds like the next few weeks are going to be tougher on most of us!