GD check-in 10/13

paigep8

One week on the GD diet and I had my OB appointment today.  They are happy with my numbers and I can go down to testing 2 times a day and I can add some food, which was great news!   

BdblZ

@paigep8 - nice that you can go down to only twice daily testing!  I'm (well, my fingertips mostly) are jealous!

I had some appointments today too - First thing this AM was with MFM for another growth scan.  Everything looks good, and little booger is measuring right on target @ 3lbs9oz! Then I saw my regular OB which was NBD - pee in a cup, answer questions, fundal measurment, no big whoop. 

But here is where I got a little frustrated - I'm trying to be really good at work about giving as much advanced notice for my MD appointments so I don't risk any "unexcused absences" and possibly have to start taking any time off my FMLA before baby is actually here (Long story, cliff notes - my boss is kind of a twat).  So I asked both the MFM doc, and my OB when I will start my NSTs, and if I will need to do them once or twice weekly.  NO ONE COULD GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER!!  ARGH!!!!  

The MFM doc, who I really like, said if it was up to him I could start them around 34-36 weeks, and would only need them once a week, but if it was up to his partners (there are 3 docs in that group) they are more conservative and would probably say twice weekly.  I think that's kinda why I like this guy - I can tell he knows what he's talking about, but doesn't get really uppity about things.  He also said that in the grand scheme of things, my GD #'s look great and to just keep doing what i'm doing.  He basically deferred the NST question to my regular OB, and said we will manage you whichever way they want us to.  

Forward to my OB appt - same question, still no good answer!!  Basically she deferred back to MFM!  

C'mon people!  All I want to do is plan for my appointments more than just a week ahead of time?!  Is that so hard to ask??  What would you guys do?  Would you go back and press them for a more definite answer?  or just roll with whatever comes along and tell work to suck-it if you need to run out to an appointment at the last minute?

nopegoat

@paigep8‌ totally jealous that you only have to test twice a day. I am still convinced my endo has a personal vendetta against me. My numbers have been pretty good, but I still have to test 6 times a day ::sigh::

I had a regular OB appt today. I have to go back in 2wks and have a growth u/s and my first NST. Starting to get super real.

amedbery

So I'm a GD newb and I don't go to the class til tomorrow or see my OB til next week (diagnosed yesterday). Does every mom with GD have to be referred to an MFM? And do we all have to start weekly NSTs? Sorry if these are annoying questions - I just have a lot of nervous energy about everything and haven't gotten the chance to talk to my MD and I'm curious about how things will work from here.

nopegoat

@amedbery‌ sorry you have to join us but welcome!

I was not referred to a mfm. My Dr sent me to an endocrinologist and nutritionist. I have seen the nutritionist once and see the endo every 2wks, pretty much just to go over numbers. I am having a growth u/s in my OBs office at 32wks and that is when I will have my first NST as well. I believe they will be weekly. I do think a mfm referral is the norm though.

I hope your appointment goes well. More than likely they will give you your monitor and talk to you about diet changes.

amedbery

Thanks @kdm06c‌! I don't know why I'm freaking out so much about this. I guess I've been super lucky to have had a relatively easy pregnancy so far and I'm terrified to screw up anything and cause harm to the baby. And I effing love all things carb. *sigh*

nopegoat

Hugs @amedbery‌! This is my third pregnancy and first time with GD. It took me a few days to get over the shock and pity party and then about a week or so of doing the diet until I felt pretty confident with it. I too love ALL the carbs, but have some really great substitutes like squash and eggplant in place of regular noodles.

These ladies have helped me a TON!

JKentW

It will be a week tomorrow with my glucose meter. Trying to be patient and positive, but realize it is just how your body reacts to pregnancy. Feeling tired and out of sorts. Anyone on gylburide? If so, how do you use it, any side effects? It helps to read everyone's experiences.

BdblZ

@JKentW - I'm on glyburide.  Its really not that exciting.  I'm on the lowest 2.5mg dose, and I take it at bedtime with a small snack.  The goal is to keep my morning fasting numbers down.  I will probably have to increase the dose at some point.  I have not had any side effects myself, but they do warn against hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping too low).  Its my understanding the medication both helps your pancreas produce and release more insulin, and then makes that insulin more effective and transferring glucose into your cells.  Hope this helps!

JKentW

Thank you BdbIZ. Had a bad day today. Numbers were really out of wack. I will try again tomorrow

bowlwoman

@JKentW‌ I'm on 2.5mg glyburide as well, and I take mine with dinner to help with both dinner numbers and fasting. I was on this dosage during my pregnancies with both girls, so it seems like my body just needs that little oomph during the third trimester.

I don't know if I just haven't been carb loading lately, but my numbers have been in the lower side the past couple of days. Not that I'm complaining...

I start my weekly NSTs and BPPs today. I hope they go fairly quickly because sitting in the MFM office waiting for LO to move is just gonna be boring. Lots of bump time, though.

JKentW

@bowlwoman‌ thank you for your reply. I had fasting number today of 90. Preparing breakfast now. Just feel weird, off, and hungry. First week down and second week to go and then probably meds. Thank you for your support

Cryssteen

Well, I'm officially part of the GD club.  Fuck.  My numbers were sooo slightly elevated, but each of the four blood draws were high, unfortunately.  I have to go see an endocrinologist now.  UGH.

bowlwoman

@Cryssteen Sorry you're joining the club. 

bowlwoman

Ok, seriously WTF diabetes nurse. The dietician gave me my diet at 12 weeks. It's the same diet as I did with both girls. I sent in a food log the first couple of weeks. My numbers until the third trimester were great, and since going on glyburide they've been great. So, why give me grief because "I'm only supposed to be eating 35-45g carbs at lunch and dinner" when I was told 45-60g and they're fine.

BdblZ

@Cryssteen - Sorry to have to welcome to the darkside...I say at least we have cookies but we all know that's not true!

erien

I had half of a Panera cookie last night for a snack. My husband left it on the counter when he left on a three day business trip (who only eats half of a cookie?). I couldn't let it go to waste, right? Best part? My fasting number this morning was a 69! Found a new bedtime snack:-)

amedbery

@Cryssteen‌ - I just got diagnosed, too. Had my GD education class this morning. I had a super bad attitude about everything going in, but I feel better after learning about everything. I'm on a pretty strict diet, but they gave me very specific information so I'm not confused on what I need to eat and when and it actually allows you to eat a lot. I'm super squeamish about blood and so I was really nervous about using the meter, but it really wasn't that bad and it didn't hurt. I mean, obviously this sucks because it's a lot of extra planning and work and it's not fair that we don't get to eat all of the bad things guilt-free like everyone else. But I'm hoping it will force me and DH both to get into healthier habits which is good for us overall and will be good when trying to lose baby weight. Plus, I'm planning on having some sort of champagne cookie dough float like in the delivery room.

You've made it through the first two trimesters. You got this.

nopegoat

@bowlwoman‌ has she been talking to my endo?!

I just got home from my endo appt and she is still giving me crap about my carb intake for lunch and dinner. I thought after she saw in writing what the nutritionist said, it would be done. Nope. ::sigh::

I'm at the point where I almost just want to make up a fake food log (real sugar levels) and give her that so she will leave me alone about it.

bowlwoman

@kdm06 I don't know what's up with them. The nutritionist told me that as long as:

• I'm eating enough
  
• My numbers are good
  
• Baby is growing on track
  

then I get some latitude with my diet. If my numbers start spiking, then yeah, play around with it again and lower the carbs. Plus, I'm on the glyburide now and if I eat at the lower end of my carb allotment now (which is the higher end of what nurse told me today), then all my numbers are low to too low.

I'm not going to sweat it. If my numbers are in range and the baby's growth is good, screw them.

Oh, and baby measured in today at 4lbs 6oz, right at the 50th percentile and all measurements within a week of my due date. His size couldn't be more perfect.

erien

I had a similar conversation with my nutritionist. I'm non-confrontational so I didn't defend myself. But I eat 45-60g regardless of what she said. You can't tell me that eating a few extra "good" carbs and staying within my allowed levels is worse than those pregnant woman not watching their diet and eating sweets and "bad" carbs regularly. Give me a break. This is not meant to be a weight loss plan!

Eta: so that cookie I ate didnt fall on the good carb list but have resisted cake two days in a row at work.

bowlwoman

@erien Psst...I eat some sugar. And my numbers are fine.

Now, my fasting was higher this morning than it has been (91, but still within my limits) because last night my snack consisted of milk and a couple of handfuls of chocolate chips. I may have overdone it with the chocolate.

Cryssteen

I just don't wanna do this!

/whine. I actually love weird medical things like finger sticks - Im a nurse and weirdo. But I just wanna eat cookies and pie. And whatever I want.

But I'm gonna suck it up. Thank you all for the warm welcomes to a club none of us want to be a part of. They don't have me seeing a nutritionist. These next 6 days i am supposed to journal and meter. On Wednesday when I see the endo, I will get more details on my plan. I'm not concerned that I can't do it.., more so I just don't wanna... Bleh.

bowlwoman

@Cryssteen The weird thing is after I had my girls, I still continued to do the GD diet more or less because I actually got used to eating cleaner and like the way I felt better. After a little while, though, I fell off the wagon again.

Having to do gluten free had started forcing me back into this arena again before I got pregnant, just because so many of the goodies are chock full of gluten, and the alternatives are either too pricey or too time consuming to make from scratch.

I really need to find the power supply for my old laptop so I can post some of my recipes from 6-8 years ago. I had some really good ones.

Cryssteen

Do you guys use any apps to track your glucose and food intake?  I used to use MFP for food, but there's no glucose option. Thanks!

bowlwoman

@Cryssteen I use this one for my iPhone:

https://www.coheso.com/gestationaldiabetes-d

This one is only for iOS, though. If you need Android, they make another one called Track 3, which is marketed for regular diabetes management. The ONLY difference between the two other than colors is the Track 3 includes some options for Type I that the GD app doesn't need.

It isn't free, but for me it was worth the $6. I can send a PDF report to my MFM office and don't have to worry about crunching numbers. Plus I can track my weight gain/loss, exercise, and meds along with food.

The only thing that's missing is the ability to add a full recipe and then portion out the individual servings, but I used MFP for that and then just added the individual serving to the diabetes app for my food log.

Cryssteen

Thanks @bowlwoman‌ !