Gestational Diabetes, management check in and discussion thread

gadzooks_3

The purpose of this thread is for those who have been diagnosed to check in, provide updates in their journey, tips/tricks, and receive support. There us another thread to discuss the test itself, so this is not the place for that. Those who have not been diagnosed are welcome to read and comment, especially if it's in support of your fellow Bumpie, but this is not the place to discuss sugary treats (unless they are low carb discoveries to share), etc. Thanks for the support! 

gadzooks_3

I can start. My management had been going pretty well (except fasting numbers) and I was all set to add in more exercise to trt to get those fasting numbers down...and then I got sick. The fever is pushing my numbers up. It is frustrating. 

allishally13

I've been doing well the past week or two, eating well and getting some more walks in. But the walks are now causing bh, which even if I'm not walking that far I seem to get Sucks since the walks are definitely helping my blood sugar levels...

I'm eating lots of peanut butter, protein with veggies, and whole wheat toast with a scrambled egg. Found this easy recipe online- 1 egg cracked into a microwave safe bowl with 1 tablespoon milk, whisk and mix in garlic powder and pepper, microwave 1 minute!

Saw the dietician on Friday and she told me I was doing great and to not worry so much about not having bread (it's still a struggle thinking through balancing eating enough carbs but not bad carbs). She made me realize I don't have to be 100% perfect to get the levels I need, which helps with the stress

allishally13

@liljabee
I hope you feel better soon!

sparklyb22

I haven't seen the dietician yet but I have been checking my numbers. My fasting blood sugar is always good! But after I eat it stays high. we are remodeling our kitchen so it is very hard to eat healthy. On top of being diagnosed with gestational diabetes it was also diagnosed with high blood pressure so I am really struggling these last 10 weeks! 

No more Miss!

Thanks @liljabee for starting this thread and cleaning up our other thread. Hope you feel better soon! It's so hard when you're feeling sick to keep everything under control. 

@allishally13, I hear you about the walks helping. I usually can manage one after dinner, because it's my largest meal of the day it helps bring my sugar down a little bit. I walked up until 35w (when I delivered my DD) last time and I remember it getting painful and heavy. I never have had BH though. I might look into a belly support to help with the heavy feeling while walking. 

@sparklyb22 that's so stressful. We've been remodeling a lot (roof, and 2 bathrooms, windows, siding and kitchen, next) since becoming PG. We travel a lot so it's hard for me to plan ahead and there's still a lot of trial and error to see what works. (I've been diagnosed since 14w). That's great that your fasting level is good. Because that's the hardest to change, in my experience.

I've been having a hard time with my dinner choices. I just feel so hungry all the time even with making sure I have snacks. It's like I'm watching the clock to see when I can test and eat again. Last week, my diabetes specialist said to add more protein and fats to help keep my blood sugar at a good level and to stay full longer. Aside from nuts, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, and cheese (not necessarily together),  I'm feeling like I'm in a rut. I don't like meat or eggs for snacking. It's cool for meal time though. 

allishally13

@No more Miss! I actually have been wearing a belly support band- it helps with the heavy feeling mostly, but the bh happens no matter how long I walk. I'm going to talk to my doctor about it at my next appointment, or if it gets worse. Thanks!

I looked up on Pinterest ideas for diabetes/gestational diabetes snacks, and found popcorn is okay so I snack on that sometimes, too to mix things up or a granola bar. Try looking on Pinterest or other websites to see if there are any other snacks you can try (I know it's easier said than done, I'm sick of most of the foods, too).

gadzooks_3

Hummus with veggies and crackers can be a goid snack.

ShanRum3

Got my call today that I didn't pass the 1 hour test, and now I'm having a pity party for myself! I'm not really sure why it's effecting me like this. I had GD with my last pregnancy, and I was not so angry about it then! Yeah, it sucked, watching my family eat whatever they wanted, and me having to eat like 2 bites of mashed potatoes, or basically live on Steak or chicken salads, but I wasn't so angry about it. I keep thinking "the kids and DH are going to go have ice cream several times a week, and I don't get any, and so many other things that I won't eat, because I will do my best to control it with diet alone. I've been crying intermittently for the last few hours... I even called my mom and whined to her about it!
They told me I could take the 3 hour test or just make an appointment with the diabetic clinic. I opted to just get the ball rolling and go straight to the clinic rather than wasting half of my day taking another test that I probably won't pass. I should hear from them within a day or 2 to set up that appointment.

amarfeo17

Just found out today at almost 30 weeks that I have gestational diabetes. Pretty devastated about it to say the least, it was the last thing I thought I'd hear. I hate needles and blood so this is going to be very difficult for me. I'm sure I'll eventually get used to it, but for now I'm throwing myself a big old hormonal pity party. 

gadzooks_3

@amarfeo17 and @ShanRum3 I think those sound like perfectly normal responses.  I know it made me have all kinds of feelings.  

GD is about the placenta and the hormones it 8s giving off. Yes, we can help control it with lifestyle but thst doesn't mean lifestyle "caused" it or 

amarfeo17

Thanks @liljabee you made me feel a little better I guess it's just going to take a while for it to fully sink in. 

I'm just concerned about cooking dinner, I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing as far as getting on a diet! Maybe we can start a thread for recipes if there isn't one already?

ShanRum3

@liljabee Thanks for the words of support and encouragement. I'm still feeling a little sorry for myself, but I'm trying to think of what it was I ate when I was pregnant with DS2 and had GD. I know I ate a lot of salads, but aside from that, I can't remember. I had a slice of peanut butter toast this morning, and was STARVING 2 hours later, so I ate a little snack pack of peanuts, which did next to nothing for my hunger, so an hour later, I had half of a donut! I felt pretty guilty, but there were 2 boxes of donuts on the breakroom table and I just needed something else to eat!!! For lunch, I had a small salad with steak on it and a small slice of pizza. For dinner I had another salad, with cheese, a few croutons, LOTS of chicken and ranch dressing. I'm not a huge eater of veggies, so it's tough for me to find things that are low carb, low sugar that I like to eat. I'm a Meat and Potatoes girl in every way possible!!!!
On the bright side, I did go to the grocery store and buy a box of sugar free popsicles today!

Mfuller76

Joining the GD club as of this afternoon. It will still be a few days before I see the specialist but I have a pretty good idea of the dietary changes they'll recommend, and I'm starting immediately. DH and I did a Whole 30 and then ate super clean in the months leading up to our wedding to lose weight, so I have a pretty good repertoire of low sugar/low carb/clean recipes.

I highly recommend Melissa Joulwan's book Well Fed or her blog The Clothes Make the Girl. I've really like every recipe I've tried but she also gives great advice on how to eat and cook healthy with a busy schedule. Nom Nom Paleo, Against All Grain and the Whole30 Cookbook are great resources as well. 

I know a few ladies have mentioned Pinterest - I have a ton of recipes pinned. If anyone wants to follow my board (or share their's) let me know!

This diagnosis sucks and I'm still working through the guilt/upset feelings. But I'm super grateful for such a supportive board and knowing I'm not alone... Thank you!

jewelqc18

Just found out my diagnosis. I feel guilty and frustrated! I know I will adjust, it just seems like a lot at this stage!

gadzooks_3

So after 3 weeks of testing, 2 of which I have been horribly sick (upper respiratory and ear infection) the diabetes nurse has recommended putting me on meds since this is the time that baby is growing g the most. I am nervous about the possibility of hypoglycemia once I recover from my illness, but I want to do what is next for baby.  It is just once a day to help manage my fasting numbers, my after meal numbers have been fine.

No more Miss!

@liljabee
I'm sorry to hear it. Not the news you want to hear. But know that you'll be monitored closely and ask questions about low sugars and what to do so you have a clear plan. I hope the glyburide or what ever pills they put you on help you manage everything. Good luck momma!

I'm curious for my growth scan on Tuesday and if I'm going to need to be more strict with my weight gain and diet/sugars. It's the hardest to control in the 3rd tri. But hopefully the time flies by!

ShanRum3

I go to the diabetic clinic on Tuesday.  I just hope the nurse is not the same, and isn't rude to me, like she was when I had GD 7 years ago with DS2. I've been eating high protein, low carb, low sugar, to try to manage it with diet alone.  I guess we'll see once I get my tester from the clinic.  And I had a mini meltdown at the ice cream shop the other day. Since our little local places don't have sugar free, I usually stay home when my dad or DH takes the kids for ice cream,  but I was the only one with a carseat for my 6y/o a few nights ago, so I drove him down and just sat in the car while everyone else enjoyed their ice cream.... it SUCKED!!! I keep telling myself,  this too shall pass.... it's just not going to pass as quickly as I want it to!

gadzooks_3

The diabetic nurse at my training said occasionally having ice cream as a snack is ok, if you get the full fat stuff, one scoop and pair it with nuts for added protein.

kellyhart2010

Hey ladies. Just found out earlier this week I have GD. The doctor doesn't even want me to take the 3 hour test because my number was "abnormally high". I'm so bummed out The diabetic doctor couldn't get me in until June 7th either, so I'm feeling really stressed about waiting. I've been trying to eat low carb/low sugar but I haven't got a meter yet to check my levels..ugh so upset, my baby shower is next weekend and I feel like I won't get to enjoy any of the food.

katie121209

@kellyhart2010 the same just happened with me where I failed the screening so bad it was straight to diabetes clinic. I have my appt on Wednesday and even waiting 5 days feels too long. My shower is next weekend too and I'm hoping a cupcake will be allowed  

gadzooks_3

How is everyone doing? Numbers looking good? Food plans chugging along? Sick if cheese, nuts, peanut butter and beans yet?

ShanRum3

I had my appointment with the diabetic clinic on Tuesday.  I have been testing 4 times a day since then and the only time my numbers were high was after eating while just sitting in the car. I have been eating low carb/low sugar, but not depriving myself either. My numbers are usually in the upper 90's to low 100 ' s 1 hour after a meal. Last night I splurged and got a small Reese's flurry from the local ice cream place and even though it wasn't mandatory, I tested 1 hour after I ate it, and was still only up to 142, which is only 2 points higher than they want me to be after meals. I'm just hoping that my numbers stay in check and relatively easy to manage for the next 10 weeks! 

mooncusp22

I've had GD since the beginning of my pregnancy (tested at 10 weeks since I had it with DD). I wound up switching doctors this week because I wasn't happy with my GD care. Had my 1st appt with him yesterday and he changed my insulin dosage because he said "Your glucose levels are out of control and I want them 100% in control the remainder of your pregnancy". He also told me that since I tested to have GD so early in the pregnancy that there was a very good chance I already have Type 2, that we will deal with that after the pregnancy. I hadn't been told that before! After DD I fell off the wagon myself of getting rechecked because we moved out of state and then I didn't think anything of it.

Pretty scary since I am fit (am a fitness instructor!) and a healthy person!! But, it runs rampant in my family.

shen222

I just found out this week that I have GD.... I have an appointment set up for Tuesday at the hospital to meet with a nutritionist and have an ultrasound to check on the little man. I'm not looking forward to checking my blood all the time.  I'm already going once a week for a Makena injections. I'm so sick of shots!!

bearsandbeets7

Well after 2 days of thinking I had passed the 3 hour test I got the call this morning that apparently I failed. 3 out of the 4 blood draws were high. I'm trying not to sink into a pity party because it's not the end of the world but this pregnancy has been so much harder than when I was pregnant with DD and all I want is a healthy baby! 

Now I am just waiting on a nurse to call me from the diabetes clinic to set up my first appointment there. It's gonna be a long 10 weeks. 

allishally13

While a gd diagnosis sucks, it does get easier! I had a huge pity party the first week, but now a few weeks later it has just become normal for me. The food can get kind of boring being the same mix of foods, but I keep reminding myself this is healthier for me and for the baby.

I just found out yesterday even though I've lost 5 lbs since being diagnosed and my levels have been under control, baby boy is in the 90th percentile and already weighs 4 lbs 6 oz! Just keep eating healthy and being monitored, good luck everyone! 

Mfuller76

I just had my first GD appointment with the dietician and I actually feel a lot better about things. One of the first things she told me is that I didn't cause this and it had nothing to do with my dietary choices. It's all about the placenta and the hormones, and I have no control there. I'd been feeling a lot of guilt since I got the call, so it actually helped a lot to have her stress that point.

She also reassured me that the baby was most likely just fine and that good control with diet and exercise will keep him that way. 

It is going to be hard but I'm trying to look at the positives. Eating small portions frequently and cutting out the sugar has helped my heartburn dramatically. Plus, getting better control of my diet will help me lose the baby (and hopefully extra non-baby) weight later. 

One more thing - For those of you missing ice cream, have you tried the Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt bars? I've seen them recommended elsewhere as a snack/treat for GD. Bought some this week (strawberry) - I think they are 16g carbs and they are delicious! I haven't started testing yet so I don't know how they are affecting my blood sugar, but fingers crossed I can tolerate them. 

allishally13

@Mfuller76 omg yes, I love those bars! I got chocolate and they were so good! Need to get more! Because they have a good amount of protein and other good nutritional value, they worked well with my bsg levels I'm glad the appt made you feel better, I felt the same way after my appt.

gadzooks_3

If you want another frozen treat option trader joes has mango bars that are 10g of carbs. They have a little protein. They make a good snack.

Mfuller76

@allishally13 Good to hear! I'm so addicted to those things already. 

@liljabee We recently had a TJ open near us and I've been discovering all sorts of yummy new things. I'll definitely pick up some mango bars next time - that sounds awesome in the Texas summer heat! Thanks for the rec!

jjang27

I was diagnosed with GD on Wednesday last week. Initially I was quite shocked and guilty. After going to the GD education class (required by my endocrinologist) and doing some research on my own, I felt better as I was told I didn't do anything to cause it.

I had to adjust my diet (6 smaller meals and counting carbs), start peeing on a stick again every morning (I thought I was done since I got pregnant!) to check for ketones, and checking my glucose 4 times a day. It's been ok... I had a few mess-ups here and there, but these help me figure out what foods are bad for my glucose management (white bread, mashed potatoes, certain cereals, etc.). The first time I saw the test strip show trace amount of ketone (meaning I wasn't eating enough carbs - as I skipped a snack that day), it was a little scary. Fortunately the next day I tested negative. It's a fine balance we, the ladies with GD, have to maintain.

I want to recommend a smartphone app: mySugr (available for both iPhone and Android). I still hate pricking my fingers for glucose tests, but this app puts a little smile on my face. It makes some silly and cute noises and gives me reward points for recording my glucose levels and amount of carbs consumed. If I earn more than 50 points a day (which is easy, as I am required to test 4 times a day), a chain is thrown onto the Diabetes Monster! It's silly but it makes GD a little more bearable. 

gadzooks_3

I use the my sugr app too, it is fun.

It is interesting they are having you test for keytones, I asked about that and my doctors don't track tgat anymore.

How many of you are actually going to an endocrinologist? They just sent me to a Gestational Diabetes nurse. They seemed to feel tgat endos don't really know as much about Gestational Diabetes as it us quite different than type 1 or 2, and that the endos  will often be too lenient with allowed numbers and interventions. I thought that was interesting - a little professional rivalry I guess.

Mfuller76

Going to download the My Sugr app right now... I'd been doing some research online to find one and had seen that one come up a few times. 

My OB sent me to a MFM, who I saw for about 90 seconds. I spent most of my appointment with the dietician/diabetes educator. 

I got got my testing stuff on Friday and it's been a little rough. The first time I was so scared I had a total meltdown so my husband finally did it for me and... No blood. We dialed up the depth on the lancet and after 5 more pricks still could not get enough blood on the test strip for a reading. I'm having to prick 2-4 times for each test, and I'm trying every recommendation I can find to help (milking the finger, swinging my arms, washing my hands in warm water, etc).

Anyone else having this problem... Or do I just have some kind of mutant, bloodless vampire fingers? On the bright side, I'm getting pretty desensitized to pricking my finger and my numbers have been mostly good!

allishally13

@liljabee My obgyn was going to send me to an endocrinologist, but I already see an endo from the same practice they were going to send me to for hypothyroidism. So I just set up another appt with my existing doctor, and my endo also had a dietician come talk to me. My endo actually tested my A1C about a month or two before I had to do the gd test at my obgyn because she said they wait too long and most women have already had gd for awhile before the obgyn finds out. I was fine when they tested then, so it was easy to tell when my gd started.

I've been using Sugar Sense, but I'll have to check out the other app! Thanks for the suggestion ladies! 

bearsandbeets7

A nurse from my doctors office called me this morning and said she faxed over the order for the sugar meter and the test strips so DH is picking them up on his lunch break. The diabetes clinic also called me this morning to set me up with the diabetes class and that is on friday. 

I havent really changed much about my eating yet because I don't have the meter so there is no way to tell what my sugar is and I'm still kind of in denial about it. I'm kind of ready to get on this diet because I was planning to go on a low carb diet after LO was born anyway, I just thought I had a little bit longer of indulging before that started. 

One thing I'm nervous about is not being able to control my numbers even with the diet and exercise. I just want to get the ball rolling on all of this already so I can get to a point where I'm ok with it. 

bearsandbeets7

Also has anyone started having issues with their blood pressure? I read that having GD puts you at a higher risk of having high blood pressure or preeclampsia. I had some issues with my blood pressure early on in my pregnancy, but it's been good since about 12 weeks. It was high at my last appointment at 140/82 so I'm nervous that the GD is going to send my health into a tailspin. 

ShanRum3

I have been testing and tracking for almost 1 week now, and I'm finding the my sugar is the highest after breakfast, unless I basically just eat an egg or omelette or something else mostly protein. My numbers after my other meals have been great,  and even after eating ice cream  the other night and testing after 1 hour, I was only 2 points higher than my dr wants me to be.  I'm wondering if my body is just not awake and ready to function when I eat my breakfast??? It's really frustrating trying to figure out what I can have for breakfast!  

serah496

I got diagnosed last Friday and my OB nurse left me with no info except that they were referring me to a dietician. No call as of this afternoon; when I called they told me I might not even get a call to schedule until Friday! I am at 29 weeks and 5days, already struggling with this diagnosis and the diagnosis of hydronephrosis in my baby, and I won't even get an appointment to discuss controlling my levels until I have 9 weeks to go? I got a meter and some advice from a friend who has type 1. But I am struggling, like many of you, to come up with a variety of food options since I usually only want one meal per day that has meat/ eggs and I am intolerant of nightshades (potatoes, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes). I don't digest veggies well, so I had been basically living on fruit, carbs, and dairy, obviously not GD friendly. Since cutting out drinks with sugar, my levels have looked ok. The only exception was when I had a handful of crunch n munch and the pretzels and hummus at midnight. My levels were a little high the next day. Advice and recipes appreciated. 

gadzooks_3

@ShanRum3 breakfast is hard, you have been fasting all night so if you eat too many carbs it will spike your glucose.

The plan they gave me was only 15 grams of carbs for breakfast, no dairy, no fruit, no jams.  That basically means a slice of whole grain bread and eggs or peanut butter for me. Then an hour and a half later for the snack you get another 15 grams to play with. I have always been a yogurt and fruit for breakfast person. I just think of it like I am a hobbit and I get to have my plain yogurt and berries with nuts for second breakfast!

You can try nuts and hemp hearts on a half cup of steal cut oatmeal. Toast and cheese (cheese isn't dairy for GD, weird). I will do scrambled eggs in a tortillas with salsa some mornings.  You can try a very fiber rich low carb cereal with almond or soy milk? 

No more Miss!

@ShanRum3 breakfast has always been hard for me. I can only really eat protein usually Greek yogurt and nuts or eggs. Wheat bread and peanut butter is ok for me but one slice doesn't fill me up. I'm usually not a big breakfast person, but this pg  has me starving. 

@Lynnlove28 I had GD with my first pg and had high blood pressure but only during delivery and recovery. Although I only made it to 35w, so I'm not the best judge of that. I hope you'll get things under control. Diet and exercise can really help get your numbers in check. Fingers crossed you have a successful time testing!

@MFuller76
I have had trouble at time getting blood. (I've been testing for 15 weeks now). I've found that my dominate hand gives me more blood. My best finger being my ring finger and second best my middle finger. I alternate between the inside and outside of each of those two fingers. At times I've had many little prick marks but they disappear with time. I did have a lancet that hurt a lot and threw it away. I reuse mine a few times before disposing. 

@allishally13 @jjang27
thanks for the app suggestions!

@liljabee
hope you're feeling better!

@serah496
Good luck! The meals can get a bit boring. Protein and fats are the best to keep glucose levels from spiking. They keep glucose at a more constant level. Can you eat nuts and nut butters? I always find those good with fruit. There's some good charts on the web and Pinterest that tell you which fruits are the least-most in sugar. I avoid grapes and tend to eat a lot of green apples with cheese (goat, cheddar, etc) and sometimes nuts and peanut butter with fruit too.