New GD diagnosis

mmhopeful

Hi, I just got news that I have gestational diabetes.  It's another week before I get to meet with someone to go over food planning and how to utilize the blood kits they ordered for me. 

Do any of you have any experience with this?  I've read so much on line but am afraid to eat certain things as I don't know what it is doing to the twins I'm carrying.  They said they would start with diet changes first.

Just bummed to have one more thing to worry about.  I already check my BP 3x a day.  Hoping for a healthy delivery of these babies!

chrissynena

I have already been diagnosed with GD. I had it with my last pregnancy. If you are familiar with how a regular diabetic eats, GD eating will confuse you.

Ask your dietician lots of questions. Hopefully for you it will only be diet changes. Unfortunately I will probably get to go another week before they add insulin.

mmhopeful

Thanks for your feedback @chrissynena.  I really appreciate it!

JenyB6

Out of all 3 of my pregnancies this one I got GD. My 1 hours where able to be controlled with diet but we couldn't control my fasting so I ended up on insulin. Its not bad just a pain to deal with. I have 60 untils at bed time and 20 in the morning. Once we got the numbers worked out took a few weeks but everything is good. Babies are doing great. Good luck don't be nervous. PM me is

24karat

I had it with both pregnancies. All three babies were born healthy at good weights and I have not developed diabetes as a result of GD. The dangers you read about online generally apply to uncontrolled, undiagnosed GD. It isn't something that is preventable (it's from the placenta/hormones interfering with insulin) so please don't blame yourself for the diagnosis. The OB saying it's diet change first means you didn't have a "spectacular fail", which would mean jump to meds immediately. For that reason, it's not really a big deal to hold off on doing the diet changes for a week or so. Till you have the appointment, don't worry too much about changing your diet unless you're chugging several sodas a day or something like that.

The big rule in GD diet is balance. You don't eliminate carbs a la Atkins, you balance them with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep sugar levels stable. The tricky thing is carbs are often where you don't think of them. It's not just candy and sugar, it's dairy, fruit, condiments, etc. You will likely be advised to go to a small meal/snack diet. That means eating three smaller meals with planned snacks in between. This spreads your food intake out and allows your numbers to stabilize. You might feel hungry at first, but that should change as you get better at figuring out what you need and what works (don't be alarmed if this changes multiple times too). String cheese, Greek style yogurt, some fresh fruit, lean proteins, whole grains, and peanut butter will be your new best friends.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have questions or want ideas on diet/meal planning.

Odebdo

I had it with my twins...both babies were fine sugar wise...the main changes I had to make was adding in snacks...I would eat breakfast, morning snack, lunch, snack, dinner, and then a bedtime snack. I am sure they will give you guidelines, but my guidelines was snack 2 carb servings (30g) to one protein...morning meal was 30g carbs to 2 proteins and a fat...lunch and dinner was 3 carb servings with 3 proteins and some fats. When I was hungry...add in more protein. Even strictly following I still ended up on meds...so don't blame yourself as the babies just take control of your body.

jkayb123

I just got a diagnosis of GD today, and also have to wait a week.  Fortunately my nurse sent me a food list with a brief explanation of how to figure out what/when/how much to eat. Thanks for all the advice from PP, and I feel better after reading it.  I was super bummed and felt like it was my fault, but I'm starting to deal better now

1blueridgemama

Well, I got high numbers on 1 hour test and since I'm still throwing up (and that would throw off the 3 hour test), my OB prescribed a glucose monitoring and food diary.  Then at my next appt on 18th, she'll determine if I have GD and need to see dietician.  I know it's more likely with multiples but was hoping to avoid...

mmhopeful

Going in tomorrow to find out what I'll need to do to monitor the GD and what foods to eat.  I'll update on Friday after my 2:30 p.m. appt.  

mmhopeful

I got in for my appointment and learned a great deal. They will monitor me with diet and blood testing 4x a day and see where I am in a week at the dr. office. If it is required, I will be seeing a nutritionist to learn more.  Looks doable but in reading all of the literature, it still has some scary consequences for the babies if not treated.  So, I will be diligent and handle this for sure!  Feel so much more empowered now that I have more information from the dr.  

jkayb123

Good to hear everything went well for you.  My appt is next Thursday.  I'm still trying to get over it, and deal with it.  I just really thought I would avoid all this!

mmhopeful

jkayb123 said:

Good to hear everything went well for you.  My appt is next Thursday.  I'm still trying to get over it, and deal with it.  I just really thought I would avoid all this!

You can do this!  Don't blame yourself at all.  I thought I'd avoid this too.  I had my cry last week and tried to not stay at my "pity party" too long.  Knowing I'm 40, aka Advanced maternal age, and with multiples, and my 1st pregnancy where I've had to monitor my blood pressure.....to have THIS added to everything just really threw me.  After talking with other friends/family and hearing how common this was for others who only had a singleton, it made me feel better.  Talking with my dr. and trying out the testing yesterday and this morning, I felt more confident that only time will tell if I need a nutritionist as well.  I've been watching my weight and am now up 16 lbs at almost 28 weeks.  I started at a higher BMI than I would have liked, but I know all that I am eating is helping to grow my miracles.     Especially after all my Dh and I have been through to get to this day with expecting our family, I know that I can do this for the next 10 weeks.  I just made a promise to myself at my appointment that I don't ever want to do this the rest of my life, so I will eat right and exercise and take the best care of myself that I can after my sons arrive as I want to so enjoy every moment with them in my life.  

auntjessy

I had GD with the twins and it wasn't that bad.  The diet changes were pretty easy as I'd already been eating a lot of protein based foods anyway.  Like @chrissynena said, though - you can't eat like a regular diabetic.  I ate tons of greek yogurt, cheese cubes, that new Nature Valley protein granola, etc.  I ate party food, LOL.  Fresh fruits, veggies, cheese cubes and hummus.  It was awesome!    Babies came out fine for 6 weeks early - 4,12 and 6,4.  Short NICU stays, with not even oxygen needed.