Gestational Diabetes Check in

Jesster11

Melody*W* said:

Man, NSTs are stressful! My levels are high this morning (137!) I'm thinking a combo of no sleep & protein shake & pineapple for breakfast (usually an okay morning carb for me) are making this kid jump around like a monkey. He's been over 160 several times and set the alarms off, but noones been in to check on me. Anyone else an experience like this with your NSTs?

I've only had one NST, and I had the alarm go off and no one came.  His heartbeat spiked when he moved (which is normal), but then he moved away from the sensor, which recorded a much lower heartbeat.

After 5-10 min. of the alarm going off and no one coming to check on me, I was starting to get upset.  DH was with me, and I sent him out to find a nurse to fix it.  Luckily I knew that he had moved away and that was the cause, but the nurse monitoring it across the office didn't - and didn't come do a damn thing about it until he got her.

boxerbabylove

I haven't had the experiences you ladies have with the NST. The tech stays in the room with me the whole time, or she leaves for a minute or 2 and then comes back. There isn't an alarm that I've heard and baby girl's heart beat ranges between 125 and 165 for the hour I'm hooked up. they seem quite happy with her movement and there hasn't been any concern except when she falls asleep and stays at 130 for 20 minutes...then they push on my belly and piss her off so we can leave within the hour.

As for my growth ultrasound..had the follow-up on Tuesday (36 weeks) and she is measuring 7.8 lbs. baby girl is huge and they brought up C-section today. The doc understood that I didn't want to schedule a C-section but he did remind me about the shoulder dislocation and the increased risk with GD pregnancy. I told him I'd be willing to consider induction once I reach 39 weeks as they have suggested but that a C-section isn't on the table unless baby girl or I shows distress.

SoulTermination

I can't believe how different docs are, wow.  My growth scan was today and LO was also measuring 7.8lbs.  OB said she'd probably be around 8.5lbs. when she made her debut and was perfectly fine with that, and that around 39 weeks or so we'd start discussing induction options in case she wasn't out by her due date.

Also, I just laugh at NSTs, particularly the one this morning.  Kiddo was so angry and irritated by the heartbeat sensor that she kept kicking the hell out of it, causing it to stop recording for a few seconds while it recalibrated.  When that didn't work, she was all over my belly trying to escape it.  The nurse thought it was a riot, lol.

flyingmommy

I'm 36 weeks and baby is 6lbs2oz and still recommend inducing at 39 weeks. 3 more weeks.

newter135

Melody*W* said:

I'm trying a new snack that will hopefully get me the fruity fix I'm craving while helping level out my glucose levels. So far it's insanely tasty with the fun Chia seed texture.
I've read Chia seeds are fantastic for diabetics because of their effects on sugar levels (stabilizes them?).
Anyway, yay for finding new, interesting things to nom on for the home stretch!!

I add 2 tb of chia seeds to my smoothie every morning (1 cup of frozen berries, 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 banana, 1/4 cup apple juice, 3/4 cup of water, 2 tb of frozen wheat grass, and 2 tb of chia seeds...some times I add a small scoop of protein powder too if my levels were high in the am)

SoulTermination

That sounds yummy (both of them, lol), I just need to get over my fear of putting new things in my mouth.  All I can think of when I think of chia seeds are Chia Pets, and then my tongue sort of shrivels and cowers away at the thought of chia seeds in my mouth, lmao.

fourthnlast

Melody*W* said:

Man, NSTs are stressful! My levels are high this morning (137!) I'm thinking a combo of no sleep & protein shake & pineapple for breakfast (usually an okay morning carb for me) are making this kid jump around like a monkey. He's been over 160 several times and set the alarms off, but noones been in to check on me. Anyone else an experience like this with your NSTs?

Yes. I had an NST where her heartbeat would not go under 175. They had to do a BPP.

fourthnlast

Melody*W* said:

My doc said they'll be monitering my sugar levels throughout and hook me up to insulin if necessary since in active labor they want me to be drinking electrolytes and eating popcicles!

If I go into labor before my c-section, my Endo says they will have me hooked up to 3 IV's: sugar, water and insulin.

flyingmommy

I'm 36w2d today. Yesterday my appetite skyrocketed as baby dropped. I ate 2 servings of spaghetti with meatballs and after 2 hrs I was 83. Has anyone else leveled out at this point? I'm tempted on expanding my diet a little to feel more fulfilled. I have yet to gain an ounce since my diagnosis

Jesster11

So I've been thinking that I'm failing as a GD-er because I've been having sweets like crazy this past week.  It's stress-related from inlaws in town and related craziness (they left today) and a crazy week at work this week.  All I want is chocolate and sugar!!!!  Root beer floats, ice cream, chocolate Easter candy!

Well, yesterday DH and I split a peanut butter fudge milkshake and a Reeses blast from Sonic.  I was trying to keep it in check and had about 1/3 of the blast and a little under 1/4 of the milkshake.  And it was delicious!

Anyway, I went to check my numbers 2 hours after b/c I thought it would be high, but hopefully not too high.  It was a 99.  I've had healthy, balanced dinners higher than that.

I'm going to continue to enjoy my (reasonable) sweets for the rest of this pregnancy.  It's rough enough, and I don't know how they can expect you to survive it without chocolate...

flyingmommy

I have a sweet tooth as well. So far my 2 hr readings have all been double digits so I'm enjoying it while I can. I'm still waiting for a birthday cake celebration that's been postponed since February.

rockstarlaw

Holy shit. I just checked my sugar 2 hrs after a lunch with some carbs (piece of toast w/ strawberry jam & maybe 5 fries), part of an omelette and a small slice of cantaloupe and it was 167!!! I expected it wouldn't be perfect but had no idea it would be THAT high! Now I feel like an awful mother to be!!

newter135

rockstarlaw said:

Holy shit. I just checked my sugar 2 hrs after a lunch with some carbs (piece of toast w/ strawberry jam & maybe 5 fries), part of an omelette and a small slice of cantaloupe and it was 167!!! I expected it wouldn't be perfect but had no idea it would be THAT high! Now I feel like an awful mother to be!!

Stop you are NOT an awful momma! The reality is other than the fries which you only had FIVE of everything you ate is nutritious. It made your sugars spike which sucks but you are by no means a bad mom. I

bootsiebabe

Hi ladies! I've been MIA for a bit because my LO is here! Went in for my weekly testing and my fluid levels were very low. After fluids and monitoring overnight we opted for a c-section the next morning because he was also breech. He had also had some decels during the night. It was so crazy how fast everything happened. Everything went really well and I'm nursing him as I type.

As far as GD goes, his sugar was a little low at birth so we had to supplement with formula for a few days to get it to stabilize (plus being a late term preemie it was important for him to not lose too much weight). He had to have his heel pricked every three hours for the first 24 but handled it like a champ. My doc discontinued metformin and testing immediately and I have been getting spoiled with all the treats I have missed but will not mention them here! I'll have to do a two hour glucose challenge at six weeks postpartum.

I will definitely keep checking in with you all and my view from the other side is that it is SO worth it; I'd do everything again a thousand times over to have this little guy here safe and sound! Keep up the good work, mommas!

Rrrrrachel

Yay! Congratulations!

newter135

bootsiebabe said:

Hi ladies! I've been MIA for a bit because my LO is here! Went in for my weekly testing and my fluid levels were very low. After fluids and monitoring overnight we opted for a c-section the next morning because he was also breech. He had also had some decels during the night. It was so crazy how fast everything happened. Everything went really well and I'm nursing him as I type.

As far as GD goes, his sugar was a little low at birth so we had to supplement with formula for a few days to get it to stabilize (plus being a late term preemie it was important for him to not lose too much weight). He had to have his heel pricked every three hours for the first 24 but handled it like a champ. My doc discontinued metformin and testing immediately and I have been getting spoiled with all the treats I have missed but will not mention them here! I'll have to do a two hour glucose challenge at six weeks postpartum.

I will definitely keep checking in with you all and my view from the other side is that it is SO worth it; I'd do everything again a thousand times over to have this little guy here safe and sound! Keep up the good work, mommas!

Yay!!! So happy for you!

fourthnlast

bootsiebabe said:

Hi ladies! I've been MIA for a bit because my LO is here! Went in for my weekly testing and my fluid levels were very low. After fluids and monitoring overnight we opted for a c-section the next morning because he was also breech. He had also had some decels during the night. It was so crazy how fast everything happened. Everything went really well and I'm nursing him as I type. As far as GD goes, his sugar was a little low at birth so we had to supplement with formula for a few days to get it to stabilize (plus being a late term preemie it was important for him to not lose too much weight). He had to have his heel pricked every three hours for the first 24 but handled it like a champ. My doc discontinued metformin and testing immediately and I have been getting spoiled with all the treats I have missed but will not mention them here! I'll have to do a two hour glucose challenge at six weeks postpartum. I will definitely keep checking in with you all and my view from the other side is that it is SO worth it; I'd do everything again a thousand times over to have this little guy here safe and sound! Keep up the good work, mommas!

Congrats!!!

christinanoelle

@bootsiebabe‌ congratulations!! Glad everything is going well and you are settling in!

@rockstarlaw‌ you are doing the best you can! It's always overwhelming to get a high reading. Jam did not work well for me at all and sent my numbers sky rocketing. I've since moved on to strawberry flavoured cream cheese and that's worked for me!

Rrrrrachel

I can't do jam, either. Typically if I have a piece of bread that's it for carbs or else!! I also wonder if you had enough protein? Sorry, I know it's discouraging! I've had some high readings lately, too.

acrookston

@bootsiebabe‌ congratulations glad to hear you and baby boy are doing well!

newter135

So is anyone finding that their appetite is dwindling? I woke up this morning just not hungry at all. Thankfully I'm not currently testing (long story short we changed insurance co. And the new co won't cover my test strips and wants me to get a whole new testing system, doc is pushing back since I really only have like 2 weeks left til my due date) so I just had a few grapes just to put something in my belly. But overall I just have not been super hungry at all and even when I am I can't eat very much at all because baby takes up so much space.

boxerbabylove

I too have been snacking on things I shouldn't. I treated myself to a oatmeal raisin cookie yesterday and this weekend I have a peanut butter chocolate banana ice cream milkshake from a local creamery. The really strange thing is that my sugars were completely within normal range despite the splurge. I don't get it. I drank a freaking 22 oz milkshake and I get a 92? Not saying I'm unhappy about it but i just don't know why these things are ok to eat. 

I have an obsession with red grapefruit lately. I have been eating at least one a day. I enjoyed them before I was pregnant but holy cow they taste amazing now. best thing is that my sugar has tolerated the grapefruit addition without any raises and it has helped my heartburn somehow. 

newter135

mamrotu73 said:

newter135 said:

So is anyone finding that their appetite is dwindling? I woke up this morning just not hungry at all. Thankfully I'm not currently testing (long story short we changed insurance co. And the new co won't cover my test strips and wants me to get a whole new testing system, doc is pushing back since I really only have like 2 weeks left til my due date) so I just had a few grapes just to put something in my belly. But overall I just have not been super hungry at all and even when I am I can't eat very much at all because baby takes up so much space.

I'm rarely hungry in the morning. But then after lunch, I want to eat all the food! It's like baby is crowding me from laying down all night and once I've been upright long enough he moves so that I am starving.
Yes exactly!!!!!!

newter135

mamrotu73 said:

Fasting this morning was lower than it has ever been by almost 10 points. And last night was high on carbs if anything (extra rice with my stir fry plus my normal bedtime-snack smoothie).

Plus I had a low after lunch yesterday. So weird. I'm not on any medications and can't figure out what would cause such a dramatic change. 

Anyone know if there is an explanation? Maybe a normal hormone drop towards the end of pregnancy or something. It hasn't caused any problems, it's just confusing.

I've found the more pregnant I am the lower my numbers are getting. My only explanation is a hormonal shift

Rrrrrachel

It gets worse for about 35 weeks or so, but by then all then hormones associated with diabetes have peaked.

christinanoelle

Yes, mine got worst around weeks 35-36 and has been pretty stable ever since.

Just wanted to update you ladies about the stripping. I had a doctor appointment today and since I've already started dilating she did the stripping for me. I'm at 39 weeks today.. It wasn't much more uncomfortable than a regular cervical check for me. Fingers crossed it helps move things along! Otherwise, induction scheduled for the 3 of April

SoulTermination

Totally not caring about carbs until after Saturday at the earliest. Funeral preparations today, wake and funeral Friday or Saturday, distraught DH. I've got so much on my mind right now that what's going in my mouth isn't even managing to get on my mental dinner table, let alone my plate. @-)

christinanoelle

Hugs @SoulTermination‌! Thoughts and prayers while you go through this difficult week and time..

rockstarlaw

I am so glad you guys mentioned things get weirdly worse around weeks 35-36. I am 35 today and for the past few days I have had weird highs after lunch (167 earlier this week and then 154 today!). Today I ate a standard lunch that I've been eating the whole time. Fortunately, though, my fasting and after breakfast numbers have been good. It's just my after lunch numbers that are wonky. No idea why, but I'm hoping it's the pregnancy timing (ie weeks).

Chickey1980

Hi ladies. i'm new to the board although i have been lurking on here for awhile.  I will be having my 2nd baby on April 7th (planned 2nd C-section).  I was diagnosed with borderline GD after I failed 1 hour part of the 4 hours, by just 1 point!  I have been checking my BS 4x a day since 28 weeks and I have been luckily under control through diet alone.  My fasting # has been iffy sometimes but the Endo never felt the need to put me on meds.  Anyway, I wanted to share the best snack tip I got from my Endo...I'm a chocolate addict and i was so upset when i got the GD diagnosis thinking about all the chocolate i couldnt have in the last trimester. So my Endo said to take "Reddi Whip" whip cream. The full fat one. And take some (like a tsp.) of unsweetened 100% cocoa powder and mix it together and put it in the freezer for an houre. It hardens like ice cream. Sure, it's not the real thing, but it sure does come close! and she said it shouldn't effect blood sugars at all because theres barely any sugar or carbs in the whip or cocoa. I have been having this every night as my snack for weeks now. I usually add some crushed walnuts too for the protein before bed. Try it ladies, it really does help with the craving!

Rrrrrachel

Mmmm! I've been dieing for some pudding!

Rrrrrachel

I got some chocolate flavored Greek yogurt but it's not hitting the spot. Maybe if i add extra cocoa

Jesster11

So at my weekly appt. today the doctor (I rotate between 6) asks if I am doing twice a week NSTs, to which I reply "Nope."  So off he goes to his computer to look up what the other side of the practice recommended (perinatal, which "handles" the GD) and then actually went over to speak with them.

Apparently I should have been getting them for a while now (oops!) but none of the other doctors said anything about it.  I asked him if it was really necessary and said it's standard for the combination of my GD and BMI.

At least I will be 36 weeks when I have to start to go twice a week, and I guess it's nice to be there this close to the end in case anything else needs to be checked out, right?  Plus, since everything looks good, I only had to do it for 20 min. today.

But man, I feel for you ladies who have had to go twice a week for a longer period of time.

fourthnlast

Jesster11 said:

So at my weekly appt. today the doctor (I rotate between 6) asks if I am doing twice a week NSTs, to which I reply "Nope."  So off he goes to his computer to look up what the other side of the practice recommended (perinatal, which "handles" the GD) and then actually went over to speak with them.

Apparently I should have been getting them for a while now (oops!) but none of the other doctors said anything about it.  I asked him if it was really necessary and said it's standard for the combination of my GD and BMI.

At least I will be 36 weeks when I have to start to go twice a week, and I guess it's nice to be there this close to the end in case anything else needs to be checked out, right?  Plus, since everything looks good, I only had to do it for 20 min. today.

But man, I feel for you ladies who have had to go twice a week for a longer period of time.

I will not miss bi-weekly NST's, while it's nice that all of the nurses and OB's know me well now, I've been going twice a week since 29 weeks. 

Rrrrrachel

I've definitely not heard anything like that. In fact today they told me after the birth I didn't have to continue testing.

christinanoelle

No testing after delivery for me either and I'm on insulin.. I just have a check up at 6 weeks pp to see how everything's going

acrookston

@christinanoelle‌ I guess the stripping didn't put you into labor?

christinanoelle

acrookston said:

@christinanoelle‌ I guess the stripping didn't put you into labor?

@acrookston‌ nope, No luck! Hopefully she'll still come before my induction date but if not, she'll be here by the 3!

newter135

Has anyone else NOT had to get an NST? I'm 38 weeks and my doctor hasn't mentioned anything about it. Granted I'm diet controlled and only testing sporadically at this point.

Rrrrrachel

I haven't had one and I won't unless I go post dates (in which case I would have one gd or not)