Gestational Diabetes Check in

fourthnlast

sweetmelissa0707 said:

Ladies, what's your "feel like shit" number? I'm sometimes in the seventies at my two hour post meal check, and I always know it will be low because I feel heinous. Lunch and dinner allows me 30-45 grams of carbs, I feel like I could probably go higher than that though.

I can feel my lows when they are around 60-70. I woke up at midnight about a week ago and couldn't walk I was shaking so bad, it was at 45. I felt like I was going to die.

Rrrrrachel

I don't think I've been lower than the 80s at all.

Laroo0220

I was stalking the march board and noticed many of those ladies talking about needing NST because of their GD. Is this something we should all expect? I hadn't heard anything about it but I did just get my diagnoses.

Rrrrrachel

I think a few extra NST near the end of pregnancy are pretty typical.  GD can cause the placenta to age a little more quickly, so that's one thing they like to check on.

Rrrrrachel

And NST, while a little tedious, are not at all invasive and generally nbd.

fourthnlast

Laroo0220 said:

I was stalking the march board and noticed many of those ladies talking about needing NST because of their GD. Is this something we should all expect? I hadn't heard anything about it but I did just get my diagnoses.

My OB is having me start weekly NST's starting around 32 weeks.

fourthnlast

Melody*W* said:

NST? I missed the acronym. Help?

Non-Stress Test. Basically you get hooked to two monitors, one that measures baby's heartbeat and one for any contractions. You get to hold this little clicker and every time baby moves, you click on it. It usually lasts about 1/2 hour.

Laroo0220

Melody*W* said:

NST? I missed the acronym. Help?

Whoops sorry. Thanks ladies. I'm sure it's no biggie I'm honestly just thinking about the more time off work thing. Between the 1 hr, 3 hr and now my diabetic class this week it's been a lot off plus my regular appts. I know that's not that big a deal I'm just trying to anticipate what the next 2 months holds.

christinanoelle

How many hours before bed do you guys usually have your snack? And what do you eat?

thejewelster

@Rrrrrrachel I'm 30 weeks, 2 days and am testing every 2nd day. I have an appt next week with the endocrinologist. Hormones are a biatch so you never know but I am cautiously optimistic... For now anyway.

fourthnlast

I have to take 75 units of insulin before going to bed, so I have a snack with it. My go to snack is a slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter. I tend to have lower fasting numbers with that snack. I've also tried hardboiled eggs, cheese or a small piece of fruit.

christinanoelle

fourthnlast said:

I have to take 75 units of insulin before going to bed, so I have a snack with it. My go to snack is a slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter. I tend to have lower fasting numbers with that snack. I've also tried hardboiled eggs, cheese or a small piece of fruit.

Thank you! I'll try a slice of toast with pb tonight.

Rrrrrachel

@thejewelster I would think if it was going to kick in it would've by now, then!

bootsiebabe

I too will be having NSTs.  I'm not sure when they'll start, but I sounds like I'll be having them often.  

christinanoelle

Sorry - dbl post

newter135

A little late to the party since I haven't been on the Bump much this week...
1. When did you get your diagnosis? Was diagnosed on Thursday last week but didn't have my diabetes education and testing training until this monday the 27th

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

3. What's helping you control your blood glucose numbers?  Any tricks you can give us? literally the only change I have made so far is my breakfast, I used to eat oatmeal or a bowl of grapenuts but have now switched to making these egg muffin things (recipe https://www.cheeseslave.com/low-carb-bacon-egg-cheese-muffins/ - the only thing I changed was I use 6 slices of bacon and 6 eggs - making it 1 egg and 1 piece of bacon per muffin, and added an additional TB of coconut flour...been changing out the toppings too right now I have some in the oven that have bacon peppers and onions in them, next I'm going to try some with mushrooms).

4. How are you doing?  How are you feeling about your diagnosis/treatment plan/blood sugar control?

I'm doing a lot better now that I'm testing my blood.  Last week I was a mess crying almost daily I was so upset because I do eat healthy and exercise daily so I just didn't understand.  Since I started testing my blood monday afternoon (I was told to keep it higher than 60 but lower than 120 for after meals and below 95 for my fasting) my counts have mostly been in the low 70's with the only exception being last night when I waited too long to eat dinner so I was famished and instead of my normal 3 turkey tacos I had 5 and that brought my sugar count to 100...still significantly lower than the 120 max.  My biggest frustration was today when I went to refill my supplies and my testing strips cost 72 dollars and I only get 50 of them that will last me 12 days if I'm testing 4 times a day combine that with the 20 dollars for the lancets that last 12 days as well and we are looking at close to 250 a month.  I think it frustrates me mostly because based on my results so far I don't actually think that I HAVE gestational diabetes becuase I find it hard to believe that my breakfast was making me diabetic and that by the time baby comes we will have spent close to a grand monitoring something that really isn't an issue... I mean I get the better safe than sorry thing but still.

Rrrrrachel

I would talk to your doctor after a week or two and see if they're comfortable with you cutting back. I would call insurance, too, I think with aca you should have better coverage for diabetes supplied than that, but your dr or pharmacist may have to code it just right.

newter135

Rrrrrachel said:

I would talk to your doctor after a week or two and see if they're comfortable with you cutting back. I would call insurance, too, I think with aca you should have better coverage for diabetes supplied than that, but your dr or pharmacist may have to code it just right.

Thanks, I see my doctor next wednesday.  I was never given my actual 3 hour results over the phone so I'm wondering if I just barely failed and combining that with my daily testing results that I may be able to cut back or eliminate testing all together.

fourthnlast

newter135 said:

A little late to the party since I haven't been on the Bump much this week...
1. When did you get your diagnosis? Was diagnosed on Thursday last week but didn't have my diabetes education and testing training until this monday the 27th

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

3. What's helping you control your blood glucose numbers?  Any tricks you can give us? literally the only change I have made so far is my breakfast, I used to eat oatmeal or a bowl of grapenuts but have now switched to making these egg muffin things (recipe https://www.cheeseslave.com/low-carb-bacon-egg-cheese-muffins/ - the only thing I changed was I use 6 slices of bacon and 6 eggs - making it 1 egg and 1 piece of bacon per muffin, and added an additional TB of coconut flour...been changing out the toppings too right now I have some in the oven that have bacon peppers and onions in them, next I'm going to try some with mushrooms).

4. How are you doing?  How are you feeling about your diagnosis/treatment plan/blood sugar control?

I'm doing a lot better now that I'm testing my blood.  Last week I was a mess crying almost daily I was so upset because I do eat healthy and exercise daily so I just didn't understand.  Since I started testing my blood monday afternoon (I was told to keep it higher than 60 but lower than 120 for after meals and below 95 for my fasting) my counts have mostly been in the low 70's with the only exception being last night when I waited too long to eat dinner so I was famished and instead of my normal 3 turkey tacos I had 5 and that brought my sugar count to 100...still significantly lower than the 120 max.  My biggest frustration was today when I went to refill my supplies and my testing strips cost 72 dollars and I only get 50 of them that will last me 12 days if I'm testing 4 times a day combine that with the 20 dollars for the lancets that last 12 days as well and we are looking at close to 250 a month.  I think it frustrates me mostly because based on my results so far I don't actually think that I HAVE gestational diabetes becuase I find it hard to believe that my breakfast was making me diabetic and that by the time baby comes we will have spent close to a grand monitoring something that really isn't an issue... I mean I get the better safe than sorry thing but still.

Shit. What strips are you getting?! Mine are $9 for a box of 50. It lasts exactly 1 week.

Ktn8413

I just received the news today that I have GD. I am completly blown away and shocked since I have no family history of diabetes, eat really healthy and exercise. I am really upset and worried because I am planning on having a completly natural birth in a birthing center with no induction and now I am worried that it won't happen. This is so frustrating. I go to for my appointment with the diabetic counselor in a week and until then I feel overwhelmed with what I should and shouldn't eat.

Rrrrrachel

I'm sorry, @ktn8413. I'm in the same boat. I had a beautiful birth center birth with my daughter and I'm really hoping for a repeat. Fwiw, my birth center is ok with it as long as I'm diet controlled. Hopefully your healthy lifestyle will keep you off of meds and get you the birth you want!

JanMommy2under2

For testing supplies and insulin you should be able to get a 30 day supply and pay the same copay.  Once I started testing 4x day I was still paying $15 for test strips for a quantity of 3 boxes (150).  Same with insulin, it shouldn't matter the quantity, your copay should cover a 30 day supply as long as your doctor writes the correct dosage and quantity amounts.

wvReelrn

1. I was diagnosed at 28 wks withDS. And started insulin at 29 wks with him. My first Ob visit at 8 weeks I started monitoring my BS. At 10 weeks my OB told me to be seen by Internal Med for my GD before I miscarried. My BS were running in the high 200s. I hated to do that so early bc my future FIL is my Internal med Dr. So we had to tell his parents early when we wanted to wait after our loss. But anything for a healthy baby.

2. Insulin controlled. Started at 10 weeks. Now taking 22units every time I eat.

3. I really monitor my food and try to stay active and exercise. I try to eat more protein and watch my carb intake. I try to only drink water also. My mornings are always high bc of the cortisol surge we get in the AM. So breakfast I usually have an egg and a piece of wheat toast and the occ peanut butter.

4. I'm doing pretty good. I just worry abt LOs weight. With monitoring my diet and insulin my DS was 6#14ozs. Hoping that this one will be a healthy weight that I can deliver vaginally again. We have discussed c section if needed but really don't want that route. The hospital I work at does not do VBAC so once a c section always a c section and I want to have more children. Also hoping for no complications for him when he gets here. Only 11 more weeks!

spalumb9

1. When did you get your diagnosis?
I was diagnosed on New Years Eve (26 weeks) after bombing the one hour- no 3 hour necessary.

2. Are you diet controlled or are you on meds?
Right now I am diet controlled but foresee insulin in my future . My fasting numbers are supposed to be under 90. They mostly hover just below 100. Doctor starts insulin around 104. They think hormones will make this worse and I will creep into the 100s again soon .

3. What's helping you control your blood glucose numbers? Any tricks you can give us?
I have strict instructions to have ice cream before bed. But numbers were high in the morning so she switched me to skinny cows instead and switching my breakfast to 15 carbs and morning snack to 30.

4. How are you doing? How are you feeling about your diagnosis/treatment plan/blood sugar control?
I have not handled this well at all. I have a needle phobia so finger testing was awful at first. I can't look and cringe when I have to push the button. The anxiety I have about insulin is killing me.

Rrrrrachel

Fwiw I have read that the needles for insulin are very very thin and small and not at all painful, certainly far less so than the finger sticks. I know that doesn't help with a phobia, though! Good luck! Fasting blood glucose is the devil.

spalumb9

Rrrrrachel said:

Fwiw I have read that the needles for insulin are very very thin and small and not at all painful, certainly far less so than the finger sticks. I know that doesn't help with a phobia, though! Good luck! Fasting blood glucose is the devil.

Thanks!!!! I am trying! And thank you for making this thread! I have wanted to but so overwhelmed with all of this plus work, plus the fibromyalgia I have that I couldn't tell you the last time I was on here.

fourthnlast

Rrrrrachel said:

Fwiw I have read that the needles for insulin are very very thin and small and not at all painful, certainly far less so than the finger sticks. I know that doesn't help with a phobia, though! Good luck! Fasting blood glucose is the devil.

It's true. The finger pokes hurt more than the insulin shots. I was really nervous at first!

Rrrrrachel

Looks like you only failed the last two and only by a tiny bit! Hopefully that means it will be easy to control with diet. It's overwhelming at first but, like most things once you're in the thick of it it's not so bad.

Rrrrrachel

You will get an individualized plan, but there are definitely some common themes. You want to eat every 2-3 hours, so three meals and three snacks a day (some days it works out so I have four snacks). Each meal should have around 30-45 g of carb and each snack should have around 15, except the bed time snack which may have 30. Always pair carbs with protein and fat.

For myself, personally, I cannot handle 30-45 carbs at a meal, I'm usually more like 25, but that works from me. I also try to get my carbs from low glycemic things like beans vs white bread. I can't even have 15g worth of potatoes or I'll be high. 

Bedtime snack is really important. You don't want to fast more than 9-10 hours overnight and a good bed time snack with some carb and some protein can help get your fasting numbers down. Theoretically, at least

Rrrrrachel

I got a sheet from my nutritionist that listed some ideas out. Other than that it's a lot of label reading. . Common carbs for me are ½ cup beans, ½ c of any starchy vegetable, one slice of bread, or 8 ounces of milk. All of those are "one carb," or around 15g of carbs.

Here's a list I just found online similar to what I got from the nutritionist. 

https://dtc.ucsf.edu/pdfs/CarbohydrateExchangeLists.pdf?232dd5

newter135

MrsEll said:

Is there a place that will give me ideas of what to eat that fit within the ranges you've given?

Try looking at some paleo diet recipes until you meet with your councilor. I found nomnompaleo.com to have some really good ideas that didn't make me feel like I was changing my diet all that drastically

christinanoelle

@newter135 I know the the costs can add up. If it helps, my doctor advised me I can use the same lance 4 times a day. So it helps cut down on those costs. I just prick my finger 4 times a day using the same one and change it the next day for a new one.

alysemci

On mobile so I'm not answering this in perfect format- diagnosed yesterday after failing all 3 tests. I meet with the diabetes center specialist at my hospital on Tuesday and will find out more then. People who have dealt with something like this before or longer should leave some good tips/meals/snack ideas!

Jesster11

I just got the call to join the club today... like 15 minutes ago.

I'm having a minor freakout/pity party at my desk (always great when they deliver news at work).  I haven't been exercising much because I'm on pelvic rest and was told to avoid strenuous activity because I get cramping and have had spotting throughout my pregnancy.

But the thing that freaks me out more than anything is having to test.  I can't look whenever they draw blood (terrified of needles), and someone is going to find me passed out after testing.

Now it is waiting for the perinatal specialists to call to set up an appointment... and our Girl Scout cookies just arrived

Rrrrrachel

I think Girl Scout cookies might be the worst part. I should probably get some for the freezer for April.

fourthnlast

MrsEll said:

Anyone willing to share their food records/meal plans? My first appointment is 2 weeks away, and I'd like to get started with modifying my diet before then if possible. I'm just kind of at a loss. I'm really bad about skipping meals or waiting until I'm absolutely starving to eat. I just get so busy at work. I think that is going to be my biggest challenge.

Same. I use the same lancet every day, a box of 100 is $3.74 at Wal-Mart.

christinanoelle said:

@newter135 I know the the costs can add up. If it helps, my doctor advised me I can use the same lance 4 times a day. So it helps cut down on those costs. I just prick my finger 4 times a day using the same one and change it the next day for a new one.

fourthnlast

Weird. Not sure why it double quoted...

Rrrrrachel

I eat the same thing every day except for dinner, pretty much. Breakfast I have two scrambled eggs, and a slice of cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread with butter. Morning snack I have some pistachios and a latte. Lunch I have beans, eggs or some other protein, avocado, cheese, and a little salsa. Afternoon snack varies a little. Peanut butter and apples work well, or sometimes I'll have some cheese toast but I try to avoid bread. Chicken salad and crackers if i have it. Sometimes more nuts and a home made chai latte. Dinner varies. I'll often do a recipe that I usually do, but just try to leave the carb on the side so I can measure it separately. Bedtime snack I've tried different things. A small serving of code cream is actually very popular, with peanuts or something for protein, but it didn't work for my fasting numbers. I've also done the same cinnamon raisin bread with peanut butter. Right now I'm just having almonds and a few squares of dark chocolate.

christinanoelle

I also have the same thing for breakfast during the week: English muffin with peanut butter and a cup of milk (with a shot of espresso). On weekends I'll have an English muffin with bacon or sausage and egg and cheese.. Lunch I'll do a crab, egg, or chicken salad. And dinner is usually some protein with veggies and a measured portion of carbs. As snacks I'll have crackers and cheese, or nuts, sometimes instant oatmeal (with water), Greek yogurt and granola, apples and peanut butter. I'll sometimes splurge and have jello chocolate pudding or if I'm craving Something sweet hat's low in sugar I'll have sugar free jello cup..

Rrrrrachel

Ivebeen trying really hard to get more sleep this week (including making my husband get up with the toddler at night, sorry husband!) and I think it's really helping! My fasting numbers have been good all week! A couple borderline ones, but also a couple of 82s!