Gestational Diabetes Check in

thejewelster

Ladies, I hope this gives you hope...my GD endocrinologist released me today. Testing is over and so are the restrictions (well, I will stick to the plan cuz the thought of a big baby terrifies the sh*t out of me). You all inspired and supported me and helped me stay on track so I really really hope this gives you all something to look forward to or hope that it's not forever. Keep it up ladies!!! You're all amazing and you should commend yourself for all of your efforts this far.

snappyK

Released you? What does this mean?

JuneDay2913

Hey ladies I have not been very much, but I have been coming on here reading.  I was diagnosed in October with GD and was keeping everything under control by diet.  The last week and a half my fasting numbers have been 105+ and everyday its higher.  So the doctor has put me on medication because of the fasting numbers (I am still not happy about being on medication).  Now since I am taking the medication I am going to have to go to the Doctor twice a week.  Plus side is that we got to see the little one who is right on point and weighing in at 4.5lbs.  Also found out that they are not going to allow me to past 39 weeks. Lets just hope that I do not have to increase my medication amounts.  

NorthernThalia

@JuneDay2913 Did your OB tell you why they wouldn't let you go past 39 weeks? Are you okay with that?

I recently got referred to high risk OB from my midwife because my endo has prescribed me insulin for my fasting levels which range from 5.5 - 6.0. The high risk OB almost laughed me out of his office and was incredulous that I was even referred to him. Looking through my numbers, he kept saying you've never had one post prandial (after meal) spike and you're on insulin? So he booted me out, saying that I didn't belong there. So I've now been referred to a normal OB, whom I've yet to meet.

I'm nervous that they're going to try to push induction on me, and I'm not at all receptive to that idea. My first appointment with my new OB is next week, but if they tell me an induction date or timeline I plan on telling them I won't show up for it, unless there is a danger to either myself or the baby. If the reasoning is simply, "your baby might be big" then it's not gonna happen.

Ultrasounds for weight are incredibly inaccurate, with an error margin of +/- 2 lbs. Granted, they are slightly more accurate for predicting big babies in GD pregnancies, but they have a population known to have bigger babies, and are looking for bigger babies. Obviously their hit rate will increase a little bit.

Anyway, this is my current GD worry. I've already given up on my birth centre, midwife, crunchy granola dreams. I just don't want anyone pushing induction or intervention on me.

Rrrrrachel

Just having gd, in the absence of macrosomia or signs of distress from the placenta or something, is NOT a medical reason for induction. It's ok to insist on your doctor giving you a medical reason for induction if they want you to have one.

fourthnlast

Hey everyone, been MIA for the last week, we had a death in the family. 

My Endocrinologist switched my insulin and I now take 70 units of Lantus at night, 60 first thing in the morning and between 20-30 units of a fast acting insulin with meals. My fasting numbers are finally under 90...barely, but still under 90! 

christinanoelle

@fourthnlast I am so sorry, thoughts and prayers to you and your family. 
I am glad your numbers are better though! 

Good luck @Melody*W*! Keep us updated. 

Laroo0220

Melody*W* said:

Sigh...I go in today to find out if my babe does have macrosomia based off my last u/s. Wish me luck!

Stupid question, what is macrosomia? Also should I be concerned that my dr is not even suggesting I get an ultrasound? I'm going to ask again at my 36 wk next wk but the doc I had at my 34 seemed very unconcerned since my #s have been under control for the most part.

JuneDay2913

@NorthernThalia he basically said that it was because of being put on the medication & the possibility of having a large child.  I know every DR's office has different things that they go by, and I think it is going to be discussed more and more the further along I get.  I am not crazy about induction and I did express that, but if it is for the health of my child I will do it. 

fourthnlast

Laroo0220 said:

Sigh...I go in today to find out if my babe does have macrosomia based off my last u/s. Wish me luck!

Stupid question, what is macrosomia? Also should I be concerned that my dr is not even suggesting I get an ultrasound? I'm going to ask again at my 36 wk next wk but the doc I had at my 34 seemed very unconcerned since my #s have been under control for the most part.

Macrosomia: https://www.babycenter.com/0_labor-complication-big-baby-macrosomia_1152319.bc

NorthernThalia

@JuneDay2913 That's one of the things I've found so frustrating about this; the widely varying advice we all seem to be getting from health care professionals. Just reading through the thread there are obviously vastly different diets, meds, and info being given to everyone. Obviously everyone wants to do the best for their baby, it's just confusing to know what that is when there's conflicting info out there.

When my endocrinologist put me on insulin, I asked about metformin instead, because babies born to mothers on metformin vs. insulin are 50% less likely to have hypoglycemia at birth. But she basically poo-poo'ed my request saying that metformin doesn't work for about half of GD cases, so they just use insulin. So I followed her advice, but am constantly second-guessing if I made the right choice.

I don't mean to latch onto your situation or anything, intervention is just one of my biggest concerns regarding GD, so I kinda just jumped right in there!

DaisyJanie

Laroo0220 said:

Sigh...I go in today to find out if my babe does have macrosomia based off my last u/s. Wish me luck!

Stupid question, what is macrosomia? Also should I be concerned that my dr is not even suggesting I get an ultrasound? I'm going to ask again at my 36 wk next wk but the doc I had at my 34 seemed very unconcerned since my #s have been under control for the most part.

With my first pregnancy (also GD-diagnosed), as long as my numbers were good and my belly wasn't measuring big I was treated like any other patient. I didn't have growth ultrasounds, I did get a non-stress test when I went past 40 weeks, but they do that with all past-due patients. This time around, I'm at the same practice but they sent me for a consultation with a specialist because I was diagnosed so early. So we're following his plan, which he said is his standard with all GD patients. Growth ultrasounds every 4 weeks after 30, A1C hemoglobin readings every 6 weeks, some more interventions I'm sure I haven't hit yet. So far everything has shown I'm perfectly healthy and baby is right on track. So I think I really could have gone with the same plan as last time and been perfectly fine. I don't mind the extra ultrasounds, though! 

Rrrrrachel

Just saw the midwife and she said if I was going to risk out I probably would've by now. So woo hoo! Growth scan in a couple of weeks is the next big hurdle.

Dr Quarters

I am celebrating. Today is the first day since my diagnosis that all my numbers have been under where they are supposed to be!!!!  My fasting number has never been under and today it was 89!! I really hope this is the start of a trend to last until the end.

spalumb9

Congratulations @Dr Quarters!!
Mine were below while I was off of work last week for vacation, but now that I am back I am above for fasting again and borderline or over for meals again!!!!

Rrrrrachel

It's really kind of amazing how much difference even just the "normal" amount of stress can make.

JuneDay2913

@NorthernThalia You are not latching on to my situation at all, I think it is so great that this discussion was created so we can all talk about our frustrations and get/give advice.

Who knows next week when I start my twice a week appointments the next doctor that I see will probably have another decision on what to do.  That is the bigger frustration when you do not have a set doctor and you are going to a practice. 

I was not happy about being put on the medication, so I can only understand how you feel about totally skipping the medication and going to insulin. 

Jesster11

I have my first follow-up appointment this afternoon.  I've been testing 4 times a day for 18 days, and I've only had two high readings (Oreo cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake after  a carb filled meal).  I'm hoping I can cut back on testing, especially since only one of my poor fingers seems to be good with lancing, and I'm going armed with ammunition (All okay readings: chocolate with meals, two heaping piles on mashed potatoes, Krispy Kreme donut as my breakfast starch, and a sugar-filled vanilla latte and chocolate chip cookie).

I'm also having a growth ultrasound right afterwards.  I asked my doctor if I was supposed to get one at my last appointment, and at first he asked why because I was measuring right on track.  I think this will just be more reassurance that I'm not growing a jumbo baby (well, fingers crossed) - and plus I'm really curious to see what LO has been up to.

Rrrrrachel

I hope you can test less, too. I got much more content when I was able to cutback to twice a day.

Jesster11

Thanks @Rrrrrachel.  I would definitely be good with two times a day.  Less stress and less trying to schedule my testing times around meetings.

Rrrrrachel

Yah it doesn't seem like such a big deal,but it's just such a tedious hassle!

newter135

mamrotu73 said:

Success! I just made chocolate-raspberry cookies that are low carb and taste awesome!

I used a mix of hazelnut flour, flax meal, and whole wheat flour (plus raspberries, eggs, cocoa, splenda, etc) and they are the texture of oatmeal drop cookies. I didn't measure anything... so I was surprised they turned out as well as they did.

To be honest, my motivation to bake these cookies was not a lack of cookie eating because of GD, but a lack of pooping in general and I hope the abundance of flax meal helps out in that regard. I would normally take extra baked goods to work and share, but I don't want to serve cookies that I hope have a laxative effect.

I started adding extra chia seeds to my smoothies and sometimes on ice cream for the same reason. All the extra dairy in my diet has backed me up but I found they have helped a lot

sweetmelissa0707

I'll be going for my first growth ultrasound on Tuesday that will be specifically GD related, but I'm curious how they will define him, since he's consistently measured a week ahead on every other ultrasound. I guess we'll find out.

Abcollins57

Just found the best tasting sugar free drink I have had since being diagnosed. Unsweet tea from Sonic with a flavor shot of peach....omg, it's so sweet and awesome!! I would recommend to any iced tea drinkers out there!

boxerbabylove

This week has been really hard for me. We are in the process of moving the location of our Data Center. Without lots of explanation just imagine me standing for 10+ in a sealed off area that doesn't allow food or drink. As you might imagine, keeping my sugars stable was not an easy task. I ended up dropping down into the low 50s and nearly passing out in front of all the people there doing the move. Apparently taking 10 minute breaks to drink protein shakes, and eat protein bars was not sufficient to keep my blood sugars up. I bought a can of soda as a last minute thought on my way to the move. Good thing I did. I drank the soda and nearly instantly felt better. I tried to take more breaks but by 2am I was exhausted and sore and cranky. By 3 am I was back at my hotel room and trying to figure out if I should take my medication or not. I drank a protein shake, took my meds and slept until 10am. woke up with numbers in the low 70s and they didn't go above 80 the rest of the day despite having eaten a large sandwich, a fruit salad, a bowl of french onion soup for "breakfast".

Have I mentioned that I hate GD and that it makes no sense to me.

bootsiebabe

@playingonadream - that sounds so scary and uncomfortable.  Ugh!  I hope that you'll be back on a normal schedule after the move and can get your numbers back in the right range.  Getting too low definitely makes you feel terrible.  

@jesster11 - good luck today!  I hope everything looks good and that you can reduce your testing.  

I've got another NST and ultrasound today (just measuring fluid levels).  

Rrrrrachel

I'm so tired and I so badly wish I could have my husband pick up a pizza on his way home!

SoulTermination

First NST today went well, plus the endo said my numbers looked great and she was fine with bumping me back down to every other week for appointments, woo!

newter135

Rrrrrachel said:

I'm so tired and I so badly wish I could have my husband pick up a pizza on his way home!

I have actually had good luck with pizza I just make sure there is meat on it. My favorite lately has been sausage pepperoni and fresh ricotta. I can eat 3 slices with no number spike.

Rrrrrachel

I'll bet if we made it at home we would be ok, but one slice of papa johns is like 37 carbs!

SoulTermination

Do you have a Papa Murphy's around you?  DH and I love their pizza, and as long as you get it on the DeLite (thin) crust the carbs are way low compared to most pizzas.  I just had 3 slices of their gourmet chicken garlic and am only slightly above my meal limit, but I'm getting a better handle on just how far I can go over each meal and with what foods. *huggle* I want you to be able to get your pizza!

Rrrrrachel

Really it's just because I'm tired and that would be so easy to have for dinner! I also eat way before husband gets home, now, which is irritating.

Abcollins57

Rrrrrachel said:

I'm so tired and I so badly wish I could have my husband pick up a pizza on his way home!

I have had good luck with pizza also! Most of my toppings were fresh veggies, and it was a thin crust but my numbers were fine after!

fourthnlast

I'm jealous of only testing 2 times a day, i currently test 8 times a day. :-q

fourthnlast

mamrotu73 said:

I'd go crazy at 8x a day; you are clearly a strong lady with amazingly resilient fingertips!

Lol- i rotate fingers. After the baby is born, i will only have to test twice a day and hopefully insulin once a day.

Jesster11

Well, I had my follow up appt. and u/s this afternoon - after waiting 1 hour. First, the good news. Everything looked great in the u/s. He's measuring 4 lb. 9 oz. and in the 69th percentile, so "a little larger but nothing we are worried about." Also, he apparently has a lot of hair (must be from DH bc I was a baldie). And he was head down, but he also had a foot up against his face. That explains the mystery of why I seem to get kicked in the ribs and the vag at the same time. 

Now, the vent (sorry a little long): So the nurse/dr (?) I had my GD follow up was a total whack job. It started with her telling me how great my numbers were and that I earned an "A+" - which she actually wrote on my paper. Then I started explaining to her that I started off very strictly with the diet, but it was too much food, so I started using it as looser guidelines (concerned face starts here) and that I've even been adding some sugar into my deals, and my numbers were still fine. 

Here she looks at me in horror and asks what kind of sweets. I only got as far as mentioning a piece of chocolate or a store muffin before she cut me off (pretty sure she would have had a heart attack if I mentioned the donuts). She started shaking her head no and asked how often I had something with sugar (said every other day - even though its daily now. Not a lot, but a tiny treat). She said we could comprise at once a week. Ummm... No. But then she asked what my Valentines splurge was (one of my two over readings) and mentioned that even that did not raise my numbers that much. 

This was an old wacky lady stuck in her ways and not really open for discussion or explanation. I gave up trying to have a real discussion about half way through. However, I did ask about cutting back on testing, and she asked if the nurse I saw before asked me to say that. When I said no, she seemed impressed that I thought of it on my own and responded like I was an intelligent 2nd grader in need of a gold star. 

The best, though, was this doozy... I kept trying to ask why I couldn't have a little bit of sugar if it did not affect my blood sugar readings, and she replies "there's this long belief that something - besides sugar - contributes to GD but we don't know what that is we need to test for - so don't eat sugar." ?????? 

 That doesn't make a damn bit of sense, and that "logic" doesn't fly with me. If you can't explain something to me, then I'm sure as hell not going to blindly follow you, especially when you seem like a stubborn kook. 

So basically I am going to stick with how I've been eating - loosely following/balancing the guideline diet and not having a ton of carbs or sugars, but I am still going to have my treat on occasion because it doesn't affect my numbers - AND THE CRAZY LADY CAN'T EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I SHOULDN'T! I left so frustrated and pissed because she was the most stupid person I have dealt with yet - and I went and got a shamrock shake. 

Again, I know most of you are having a much harder time with your numbers, and I think you are all AMAZING, but mine just seems like a joke at this point. And idiots (the nurse) piss me off.

Rrrrrachel

My sister had a nurse like that, too. I say just do what you know works for you and smile and nod.

Abcollins57

What was her reply when you asked if you could cut back on testing??

Jesster11

That's exactly what I came out and told DH I did. Just smiled and nodded through the second half of the appointment bc it was pointless trying to talk to her and I just wanted it over.

haziedaze

Yeah, just ignore. Honestly I think the GD nutritional (edit) guidelines are kinda crap. I'm a physician so I'm not totally talking out of my ass, but they are based on antiquated nutritional guidelines that suggest everyone needs to be eating a crap ton of carbs and avoiding fat like the plague. I just really think the pendulum is starting to swing and they clearly haven't caught up yet. I was told to eat a minimum of 175g of carbs per day... that's a lot!