*lurker from August here* I have started a similar thread on our board but my due date is such I may be ahead of the curve in getting results. It was very reassuring to read this thread.
@WVUPetunia I am feeling your original post so much. I just got the diagnosis today and I am struggling with a deep feeling of failure. Thank you for being willing to share. Reading through the thread has helped.
I just found out last night that I failed my 3 hour GTT, so I'm checking in for the first time. I was actually pretty calm when the doctor called, but it's hitting me harder this morning. It just feels so overwhelming! This thread is great though; it seems like it will be very helpful!
*Obviously not a dr and just sharing what I was told* My dr and dietician were adamant about moderation and not fully depriving yourself of the things you crave. They said you can end up making your blood sugar spike, trying (and usually failing because it isn't what you want) to replace things instead of just have a small portion of what you really want. I seem to be able to keep my numbers in line better that way then I ever could denying myself those foods completely. They said some days you will eat something and it will be a little off, but as long as it isn't a consistent thing, not to beat yourself up over it.
As far as the coffee, I just count it in my closest meal/snack. 1 teaspoon of sugar has 4g carbs and many of the creamers are around 1g per teaspoon. So I just do a smaller amount now, so I'm not drinking all my carbs.
Edit because words are hard and to add that I though (after I already posted) that anyone's numbers that stay higher as a norm may not have the same option of just adding it in/having a smaller portion without it throwing their numbers way off. So sorry for that, and please ignore if so.
Finally 3 weeks after failing my 3hr I got in to see the diabetic counselor. Did anyone else feel like it was a waste of time? I didn't get a glucometer though she said if I wanted to monitor my glucose I could go buy a kit. The information she gave me is nothing I hadn't already found and been doing since finding out. I just feel like I left work early to sit and listen to someone read me internet articles for an hour.
Finally 3 weeks after failing my 3hr I got in to see the diabetic counselor. Did anyone else feel like it was a waste of time? I didn't get a glucometer though she said if I wanted to monitor my glucose I could go buy a kit. The information she gave me is nothing I hadn't already found and been doing since finding out. I just feel like I left work early to sit and listen to someone read me internet articles for an hour.
My lady was good, but I had already researched and figured out a lot of what she had to say on my own by the time I got to see her. My testing supplies were called in by the doctor the day I was diagnosed. I can't imagine how you could do this without the meter because you would need to monitor how your individual body is affected by certain foods and meals.
Finally 3 weeks after failing my 3hr I got in to see the diabetic counselor. Did anyone else feel like it was a waste of time? I didn't get a glucometer though she said if I wanted to monitor my glucose I could go buy a kit. The information she gave me is nothing I hadn't already found and been doing since finding out. I just feel like I left work early to sit and listen to someone read me internet articles for an hour.
No meter? To buy a kit is fine - but the test strips are very expensive without insurance. (Ironically it is cheaper for me to buy the lancets without insurance!)
@WVUPetunia that's what I was thinking. I was already bitchy about it taking so long just to get this appointment set-up but I thought I'll just watch what I eat and play it more on the safe side (so probably more strict than I needed to) until I get the meter. Now I have to wait until tomorrow to talk with my midwife and hopefully get a prescription for everything...that is why I pay for insurance right?
@pandaferh that's BS that your insurance doesn't cover that visit. Isn't it good that you're taking preventive measures to ensure no medically expensive complication happen.
If no prescription what brand of meter are you using? I was looking at the TRUE2go since it's cheap but that is also what makes me hesitant.
I am joining you ladies. I normally only get 30-35mg of sugar a day, keep my carbs low, and track my food.....so sitting in the appointment tomorrow morning to listen to someone tell me how to eat, is going to drive me nuts. Its going to be the longest hour of my life. My BFF's sister-in-law goes to the same location and she said that she failed her fasting number but was good on the other three numbers, but they have her on insulin injections and now her blood sugar is too low. We go to the same location, and apparently there is only one nutritionist there. I am going to have a really hard time if she automatically starts me on insulin, without allowing me to just track my sugar levels for awhile so we can base it off of nutrition and not 100mg of sugar that I would never eat/drink in the first place.....
I am joining you ladies. I normally only get 30-35mg of sugar a day, keep my carbs low, and track my food.....so sitting in the appointment tomorrow morning to listen to someone tell me how to eat, is going to drive me nuts. Its going to be the longest hour of my life. My BFF's sister-in-law goes to the same location and she said that she failed her fasting number but was good on the other three numbers, but they have her on insulin injections and now her blood sugar is too low. We go to the same location, and apparently there is only one nutritionist there. I am going to have a really hard time if she automatically starts me on insulin, without allowing me to just track my sugar levels for awhile so we can base it off of nutrition and not 100mg of sugar that I would never eat/drink in the first place.....
I failed the test due to my fasting numbers. I scored a 92 when I needed to be under 90 at 15 weeks. I didn't go on insulin until 20 weeks because my fasting and slowly crept up. I didn't try very hard though to "control" it by snacking before bed. But they do give you time to try. Meds aren't automatically thrown about unless your #'s are all over the place and they need to help you become stable.
I am joining you ladies. I normally only get 30-35mg of sugar a day, keep my carbs low, and track my food.....so sitting in the appointment tomorrow morning to listen to someone tell me how to eat, is going to drive me nuts. Its going to be the longest hour of my life. My BFF's sister-in-law goes to the same location and she said that she failed her fasting number but was good on the other three numbers, but they have her on insulin injections and now her blood sugar is too low. We go to the same location, and apparently there is only one nutritionist there. I am going to have a really hard time if she automatically starts me on insulin, without allowing me to just track my sugar levels for awhile so we can base it off of nutrition and not 100mg of sugar that I would never eat/drink in the first place.....
I failed the test due to my fasting numbers. I scored a 92 when I needed to be under 90 at 15 weeks. I didn't go on insulin until 20 weeks because my fasting and slowly crept up. I didn't try very hard though to "control" it by snacking before bed. But they do give you time to try. Meds aren't automatically thrown about unless your #'s are all over the place and they need to help you become stable.
I have a feeling it is going to be different depending on what nutritionist you see. Just like when it comes to the 1 hour test and the 3 hour test, the fasting and ending numbers are all over the place.....depending on the doctor or facility. My 1 hour number had to be under 130. I am seeing tons of people mentioning online that theirs had to be under 140. But then when I talked to them today, they mentioned that they really make the cut off 120, even though it is listed as 130, because they feel that even 120 is too close for comfort. Some make you fast for 8 hours before the 1 hour, some make you fast 2 hours, some don't make you fast at all. It is all over the board when it comes to testing, and I have feeling that it is going to be that way with nutritionists too.....each one is going to do/require something different.
My BFF's SIL's fasting number was also 92, and her other three numbers were 20-30 points below the cut off, and they still put her right on insulin. She is super bummed because she was planning on using a midwife, and because she is high risk now because of her fasting number, she has to see an MD.
My doc's cut off was 139 and mine was 140 for the 1 hour. Going Monday for the 3 hour. I already eat low carb , but have been slacking a bit during pregnancy. We will see. Did you find out same day about the 3 hour results?
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I've noticed my numbers go up the past week without changing anything. The nutritionist told me this may happen as pregnancy progresses. She also gave me a new One Touch monitor to replace my cheapie walgreens I was using before I got in to see her. She warned me my sugars may be higher than what my cheap one was reading as there can be a 20% variation. Sure enough, my numbers are 10-20points higher. My problem is I have a sweet tooth. I have found some decent compromises to help satiate those cravings if anyone is interested. I got weight watchers cookies and cream ice cream bars for my night snack, and they are 15g. I also found Kroger brand carbmaster chocolate milk. It is lactose free and only 7g of carbs, compared to 23g or so in regular chocolate milk. I find it pretty tasty, and unfortunately so does my husband! Another dish I've been whipping up lately is eggplant and quinoa. Roast cubed eggplant for about 20-25 min at 400. Cook quinoa. Toss it all in a skillet with some spinach or tomatoe and feta to mix it up. I've been adding chopped chicken breast to it for extra protein. It's anywhere from 30-40g depending on the quinoa.
My doc's cut off was 139 and mine was 140 for the 1 hour. Going Monday for the 3 hour. I already eat low carb , but have been slacking a bit during pregnancy. We will see. Did you find out same day about the 3 hour results?
I found out the same day, because the results were put into my online medical account. It sends an email to me when there is new information on appointments, test results, etc. So I got the emails and saw the results, before they even called me to tell me that I failed. I finished the 3hr yesterday at around 10:45am, and my results were in by that evening. When I failed my 1hr, I had my blood draw at 8:45am, and they called me at 2pm to tell me that I had failed. When I passed my 1hr with DD, I took it around 9am, and they didn't tell me until a few days later that I had passed. I am guessing that they get to the fails right away, because then they need to set up appointments with a nutritionist and all of that jazz. The longer they wait to get in touch, on a "fail", the longer it might take to get you in. So when they called me today, I already knew what they were calling about because I had already seen the results online. So the first caller informed me, and then set up an appointment for tomorrow to get me in to learn how to use the equipment and everything (I thought it was all one appointment for me, but turns out it isn't). And then about an hour later, I got another call for setting up an appointment with the nutritionist.
I'm joining the club. I got the call that I failed the 3 hour on Monday. I meet with a doctor and a dietician on Monday and Wednesday next week, then I go for an ultrasound at the hospital the next Friday.
I wasn't eating terribly, but I was really enjoying not worrying much about what I ate. I'm actually excited to get my meter next week because right now I feel like I'm just guessing and maybe erring too much on the side of caution. I want to see the numbers and get a concrete idea of what I'm dealing with.
My sister is pregnant with twins and also has GD, so at least we're kind of in it together. She'll give birth within the next month and I have 2 months to go.
I feel like I just have to keep reminding myself that this is only temporary (although I realize it puts me at risk for diabetes later on) and that I'm doing all this for my baby.
My staples right now are Yasso frozen Greek yogurt bars for an evening snack (16+ carbs depending on flavor) and Kind bars in the afternoon. I still get confused by the whole thing sometimes because the numbers don't always make sense... Like I got 113 today at work after 2 small slices of pizza, a tiny piece of cake, and salad (it was Teacher Appreciation Day), yet 2 Nutrigrain waffles with sugar free syrup, microwaved bacon, and a hard boiled egg put me at 159 the other morning.
^ So much of this. I've found it sort of annoyingly depends on what your numbers where at before eating (even though we can only sort of guess based on our last number and amount of time, unless you have unlimited supplies) I had a horrible meal of 2 jr cheeseburgers, a few fries, a cherry slushie and snickers (ya I know, stupid on my part) but I started with a lower sugar before eating (low 80s I believe). My sugar was 109. I ate oatmeal (no added sugar, I've eaten it before with numbers just fine) and it was 149! I was so very confused. It feels like a guessing game half the time *sigh*
@WVUPetunia Is the sugar free syrup good? I was going to buy some, but decided against it. But I really want freakin waffles!
@pandaferh good to know. Guess I'll go stand in the aisle for 15 minutes and try to pick one (DH says I take 15 minutes to pick 1 item because I look at labels of all the different types/brands before picking one. He over exaggerates)
I guess I'm joining too I'm 30 weeks. I did surrogate twice before and were the easiest pregnancies ever not complications or symptoms at all. This is our first ours and this pregnancy has been so hard, I failed my 1hr test, I just got gallstones which is making me miserable my body itches so bad for the excess of bile and my abdominal hurts. I just did my 3hr test today. But until baby's birth I'm in a sugar free, low fat diet with lots of limitations. And nothing they can do to help any of the symptoms.
This is week one of testing my sugars. My fasting, after lunch and after dinner levels seem to be great, but my after breakfast ones are high. Breakfast is hard for me because I'm allergic to eggs so my options are limited. My go to's are cereal, low carb toast with peanut butter, oatmeal, etc, which is putting my sugars way up. I have a check-in with my doctor this week, so I'll ask about it then too.
Hey everyone! So my fasting numbers have been rough these past two weeks. But my doctor said weeks 28 through 34 are the hardest to control. Since my weight gain is low she is not overly concerned.
Just a quick note (and I am not a doctor!) - GD isn't the same as type II diabetes. You need carbs for the baby - the key is the right carbs and finding the correct balance of protein to fat to carb ratio. Too low of carbs can cause your body to panic that you are in starvation mode and it will dump sugar out of your liver to make sure the baby has enough.
@Dubs1978 Yes, good catch. I was actually instructed to use ketostix in the morning to make sure that wasn't happening and the first couple of days were rough because I thought I could just do low carb. My sugar plummeted and I felt awful. It's a delicate balance.
And just when you have it figured out? It changes!
@elldel I'm in the same boat with my post breakfast sugars. They allot me 30g, but I can't tolerate that and try to only do half. Do you like cottage cheese or yogurt? I will usually do a serving of cottage cheese and toss some cut honey dew and cantaloupe on top. Or I have the Kroger brand carb master yogurt which is 4g per cup, and I'll pair it with the honey dew and cantaloupe or some trail mix. If I'm not feeling particularly lazy, I may heat up some turkey bacon.
On a different note, I had my first meltdown this morning. We went to pappadeaux seafood last night, and I looked up everything online. I calculated everything and thought I was good, but I guess I messed up. Sugar was 170. Skipped my night snack since it was already late. This morning my fasting was still 129, when it has never been over 83. I double checked and it was the same. To top it off DD didn't have any of her school stuff put together like she usually does, couldn't find her shoes, etc. I couldn't sleep, got my progesterone shot and a big steroid shot yesterday, so I was pretty upset/ragey and just lost it. DD was sooo upset, and I felt so guilty I called her and DH in the car to apologize. This sugar stuff has got me going nuts and my anxiety in overdrive.
@pandaferh good to know. Guess I'll go stand in the aisle for 15 minutes and try to pick one (DH says I take 15 minutes to pick 1 item because I look at labels of all the different types/brands before picking one. He over exaggerates)
I just have the sugar free Kroger brand one because DH likes it anyway. It's fine. Not delicious. LOL. Before GD, I liked just a tiny bit of real maple syrup instead of tons of "pancake syrup," so it's different.
@kcossey528 I had my first appointment for GD today, and one of the things that I was told, was that skipping your evening snack can make your fasting numbers higher.....so not to skip it. Just to make sure that it is something high in protein, so it keeps you from getting hungry, low in sugar/carbs, and will keep your number down. She said that a lot of people will get high numbers during the day, so they think that skipping the evening snack will bring down their fasting numbers, and it does the opposite. Sorry you were having such a rough day!
I think my body is going through a hormone surge. This happened at 26 weeks (tomorrow I'm 30 weeks) Yesterday I had an Atkins meal with 26g of protein and 7 carbs, raspberries and a suger free pudding. I got 125 at one hour. For dinner I had a steak and some pasta (a previous dinner which had given me 106 at one hour) I got 120 at one hour. I hate this time period where you feel like no matter what you do, you fail.
Question for you ladies, since it seems that different doctors are requesting different things....how often and when are you testing?
Mine is having me test four times a day: once in the morning for my fasting number, then two hours after breakfast, two hours after lunch, and two hours after dinner.
Question for you ladies, since it seems that different doctors are requesting different things....how often and when are you testing?
Mine is having me test four times a day: once in the morning for my fasting number, then two hours after breakfast, two hours after lunch, and two hours after dinner.
I test 4x a day. Fasting, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have to test one hour after first bite and be under 120. My doctor is more conservative so I'm on the strictest diet for GD. Other doctors allow 130 or 140 after meals. I personally wouldn't be over if I was allowed more wiggle room.
Question for you ladies, since it seems that different doctors are requesting different things....how often and when are you testing?
Mine is having me test four times a day: once in the morning for my fasting number, then two hours after breakfast, two hours after lunch, and two hours after dinner.
I test 4x a day. Fasting, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have to test one hour after first bite and be under 120. My doctor is more conservative so I'm on the strictest diet for GD. Other doctors allow 130 or 140 after meals. I personally wouldn't be over if I was allowed more wiggle room.
That sucks! Mine told me that if I was to test after 1 hour, then I needed to be under 140. But for 2 hour (which is what they want), I have to be under 120. They checked it at my appointment because I was almost at the two hour mark, and my number was 105. I just hit the two hour mark after lunch, and my number was 75.
(I am also suppose to start my time after the first bite)
@PhoebeJune1984 That is more in line with what I was told. They didn't specify first bite so I've been doing it wrong >.< But two hours and 120. They want my fasting number below 95.
Mine didn't specify after first bite either. I'll have to ask her about it on Monday. I'm 4x a day, one hour after meals, and under 140 after eating/95 for fasting.
@PhoebeJune1984 ah she did not mention that. Thanks for the heads up. I usually eat one, we just didn't have dinner til super late so it was 9 when I checked my sugar. I also realized today that the steroid shots I got yesterday and today are going to make my sugars go crazy the next few days, so I have to be a little more cognizant of what I eat. The nurse in me should have recognized that immediately, but the hormonal pregnant me preferred to throw myself a pity party
Re: Gestational Diabetes Check-In
@WVUPetunia I am feeling your original post so much. I just got the diagnosis today and I am struggling with a deep feeling of failure. Thank you for being willing to share. Reading through the thread has helped.
How do you deal with cravings? I know you can replace certain things but no matter what I do nothing helps.
Also coffee drinkers...how have you changed your coffee drinking ways? I know I should drink only black but that keeps me from wanting any at all!
My dr and dietician were adamant about moderation and not fully depriving yourself of the things you crave. They said you can end up making your blood sugar spike, trying (and usually failing because it isn't what you want) to replace things instead of just have a small portion of what you really want. I seem to be able to keep my numbers in line better that way then I ever could denying myself those foods completely. They said some days you will eat something and it will be a little off, but as long as it isn't a consistent thing, not to beat yourself up over it.
As far as the coffee, I just count it in my closest meal/snack. 1 teaspoon of sugar has 4g carbs and many of the creamers are around 1g per teaspoon. So I just do a smaller amount now, so I'm not drinking all my carbs.
Edit because words are hard and to add that I though (after I already posted) that anyone's numbers that stay higher as a norm may not have the same option of just adding it in/having a smaller portion without it throwing their numbers way off. So sorry for that, and please ignore if so.
https://www.12minuteathlete.com/pumpkin-protein-pancake-recipe/ (pumpkin protein pancakes)
https://birchbenders.com/shop/protein/ (a dry pancake mix and you just have to add water. they sell it at target)
@pandaferh that's BS that your insurance doesn't cover that visit. Isn't it good that you're taking preventive measures to ensure no medically expensive complication happen.
If no prescription what brand of meter are you using? I was looking at the TRUE2go since it's cheap but that is also what makes me hesitant.
My BFF's SIL's fasting number was also 92, and her other three numbers were 20-30 points below the cut off, and they still put her right on insulin. She is super bummed because she was planning on using a midwife, and because she is high risk now because of her fasting number, she has to see an MD.
My problem is I have a sweet tooth. I have found some decent compromises to help satiate those cravings if anyone is interested. I got weight watchers cookies and cream ice cream bars for my night snack, and they are 15g. I also found Kroger brand carbmaster chocolate milk. It is lactose free and only 7g of carbs, compared to 23g or so in regular chocolate milk. I find it pretty tasty, and unfortunately so does my husband!
Another dish I've been whipping up lately is eggplant and quinoa. Roast cubed eggplant for about 20-25 min at 400. Cook quinoa. Toss it all in a skillet with some spinach or tomatoe and feta to mix it up. I've been adding chopped chicken breast to it for extra protein. It's anywhere from 30-40g depending on the quinoa.
I wasn't eating terribly, but I was really enjoying not worrying much about what I ate. I'm actually excited to get my meter next week because right now I feel like I'm just guessing and maybe erring too much on the side of caution. I want to see the numbers and get a concrete idea of what I'm dealing with.
My sister is pregnant with twins and also has GD, so at least we're kind of in it together. She'll give birth within the next month and I have 2 months to go.
I feel like I just have to keep reminding myself that this is only temporary (although I realize it puts me at risk for diabetes later on) and that I'm doing all this for my baby.
@WVUPetunia Is the sugar free syrup good? I was going to buy some, but decided against it. But I really want freakin waffles!
Just a quick note (and I am not a doctor!) - GD isn't the same as type II diabetes. You need carbs for the baby - the key is the right carbs and finding the correct balance of protein to fat to carb ratio. Too low of carbs can cause your body to panic that you are in starvation mode and it will dump sugar out of your liver to make sure the baby has enough.
Good luck and stay strong!
On a different note, I had my first meltdown this morning. We went to pappadeaux seafood last night, and I looked up everything online. I calculated everything and thought I was good, but I guess I messed up. Sugar was 170. Skipped my night snack since it was already late. This morning my fasting was still 129, when it has never been over 83. I double checked and it was the same. To top it off DD didn't have any of her school stuff put together like she usually does, couldn't find her shoes, etc. I couldn't sleep, got my progesterone shot and a big steroid shot yesterday, so I was pretty upset/ragey and just lost it. DD was sooo upset, and I felt so guilty I called her and DH in the car to apologize. This sugar stuff has got me going nuts and my anxiety in overdrive.
Mine is having me test four times a day: once in the morning for my fasting number, then two hours after breakfast, two hours after lunch, and two hours after dinner.
(I am also suppose to start my time after the first bite)