Gestational Diabetes

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Hi ladies.  Some of you had mentioned wanting a GD thread but I didn't see that it was started so I took the initiative.  Please let me know if you want this to be like a weekly check-in or just this one thread that we can continue to bump.  
This thread is for anyone dealing with or concerned about GD. 
Advice, suggestions , and recipes are encouraged!

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My appointment is not until 11/22 because this MFM office is only open weekdays from 9-4. How convenient.  
So I started doing some research on my own to look for things I can start doing right away.  
I found this great website that is very informative.  You may want to visit it yourselves. Be advised though,  that this is an Australian website. So some of the spelling and brand names are new to us.  
https://gestationaldiabetesrecipes.com/2014/10/questions-for-your-first-appointment-with-a-diabetes-educator/

One thing I learned from here which makes me feel a LOT better is that GD is caused because the placental hormones make it harder for your body to absorb the insulin. So it's not necessarily my fault I have this! 
I am still cautious though because they say if you have GD, you are more likely to get Type 2 diabetes within the next 10 years.  

Lastly,  I would like to ask. .....have some of you been referred to an endocrinologist as opposed to MFM? I'm curious why they do that.  

ohstars

I test 4x a day with the goal of under 120, 2hrs after meals and submit my GD logs once a week to my MFM. We will be doing a measurement scan at 28w to see how the baby is being affected as well as to check my amniotic fluid levels. 

I find that eating meat makes a world of difference in what carbs my body can handle. Also, walking after big meals makes a huge difference. 

Aussie45

I am sincerely hoping I don't have it, but I just plan on waiting until my appointment and then going from there. We'll see how everything turns out. I had some issues that could've been pre-diabetes related before I got pregnant so DH and I are both pretty concerned about that being a possibility. 

However my mom had GD with my brother and she never developed diabetes after which was a relief. He's now 15 and she's in better shape than me. I don't know if I should be proud or jealous! A little of both I think

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@ohstars how many weeks were you when you got tested? I feel like they tested you earlier than they did me.  I'll be 27 weeks tomorrow and just had my test last weekend.  

@Aussie45 I'm so glad to hear that your mom did not get T2DM after having your brother! gives me hope! Good luck to you and yes,  try to stay relaxed until your appointment.  As long as you're aware of the possibilities and you're doing everything you can to avoid it.  No point in worrying after that.  

musicinmysoul17

I have to go to a 2 hour class on Friday then I'll have more info. 

ohstars

@afkash - I was tested at 10w for my 1hr and 11w for my 3hr. I started my diet right before 12w. I had GD and pre-e last pregnancy so my OB and MFM wanted baseline numbers for all indicators as soon as my morning sickness could tolerate. I was tested for non-preggo diabetes a few months before getting KU and everything came back negative, so this is just the way my body handles pregnancy. 

My MFM said that GD typically gets progressively worse as hormone levels increase so the likelihood that I won't be able to keep it diet controlled for the rest of my pregnancy is pretty high.  But I'm going to just keep adjusting my diet to try hang in there as long as possible before they have to put my on drugs. 

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@ohstars Good luck to you! Really hope you can control it with just diet.  

CAndrada

I have it. My fasting sugars were uncontrolled based on diet although all of my postprandial sugar checks were within range. I was started on Glyburide at bedtime and will find out more about the plan of care at my appt on the 14th. Until then, I check my sugars 4x a day and email them to my doc at midweek. 

LaurenAshley04

I'm boarder line. I had GD with my first. It appears im more hypoglycemic this time around.
soooo I'm Still in observation mode and testing 4X a day.... we shall see what they think on Thursday!

cinderin

I had GD over 3 years ago with my son. I did a good job keeping it under control. He and I had zero complications after. 

I had testing done this time at 8 weeks PG or so and was determined to be completely normal. not even pre-diabetic. 

As expected, I have GD this PG too, DX at 24 weeks (that's when most people get it). I am getting it under control now. I hope to be able to keep it under control this time again and have a healthy baby and mom.

If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to help.  

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Thank you @cinderin! BTW ,  I hadn't seen you in a while.  How have you been? 

cinderin

AfKash said:

Thank you @cinderin! BTW ,  I hadn't seen you in a while.  How have you been? 

I am doing ok. :-) thanks for asking! 

I m/c between my 3 year old and this PG and that sometimes I take a little break from here. I am not sure I fit in all the time and that's ok. 

lots to do between work, family, preparing for baby, doctor appointments, holidays, etc. I think these last couple months are going to fly by! 

how are you?

hispenguin

I had it with my daughter, and had to be on insulin every night. I got news last week that I failed my two hour GTT so I have GD. I have my class tomorrow morning at 9:15. They usually go through the diet and testing procedures. I already have a follow up appointment on the 17th so the Dietician can go through my readings. I also have an appointment with an Endocrinologist in January just to go through everything. I will find out on the 17th how often I will be meeting with the Dietician.

My midwife has also booked monthly growth ultrasounds to monitor baby boy and make sure he's not gaining too slowly/quickly.

I am slowly becoming more and more overwhelmed with all of the extra appointments.

Vastra

Just found out I tested high at my 1-hour yesterday, and I have the 3-hour on Thursday. I've definitely never been pre-diabetic or had weight issues, but I am AMA, so that's probably my risk factor. It does not help that I happened to be eating ice cream when they called with my results.  

cinderin

Vastra said:

Just found out I tested high at my 1-hour yesterday, and I have the 3-hour on Thursday. I've definitely never been pre-diabetic or had weight issues, but I am AMA, so that's probably my risk factor. It does not help that I happened to be eating ice cream when they called with my results.  

lots of people fail the 1 hour and pass the 3. hopefully that will be you. 

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I'm just getting caught up. Been a busy couple days.  

@cinderin I'm so sorry about your previous loss. I had no idea.  
You always fit in here!! I'm glad you're able to check in every now and then,  though! 
Yup,  I can't believe how quickly the past two trimester flew by! 

I had my OB appointment last night and I had a lot of questions this time.  One of them was if I could be induced because now I'm afraid the baby might get too big. I was afraid he was going to say no but he stopped me mid sentence and said that they do not let us go past our due date if we have GD! Thank God! I thought I was going to have to fight him on that one.  
He said if my cervix is ripe, they'll induce me a week before.  OOOtherwise,  they will induce me 3--4 days before.  At least that's one good thing that came out of this. ....I don't have to anxiously wait to go into labor.  

He also told me it was nothing I did and it's just the hormones.  So everyone,  please try to nor feel guilty.  I hope this helps you all.  

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One more thing. ..he also explained that the steroids I'm on cause diabetes, too. 

Knottie1462330316

wrong sign in

hispenguin

@AfKash I had no idea about corticosteroids being a risk for GD until my class today. I have been on them for years for my asthma.

musicinmysoul17

I had a regular check up appointment yesterday and my OB said my GD is very mild so that's good. I asked about what the plan would be around delivery and he said they'll monitor her growth and probably have her around 39 weeks. That might be interesting because my birthday is the week before EDD.

I have a 2 hour class this afternoon to learn what I need to know and I guess start testing tomorrow. My doc said because it's mild, if my numbers look good after a little bit I might can cut down on testing but I'll start at 4 times a day.

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@becbec28 +1 to having baby on your birthday!!

madamerwin

Well, looks like I'm joining this thread... I found out this morning I failed my 2-hour test. My fasting levels were completely normal, but my 1-hour levels were AT the cutoff. Like, one point lower and I would not have been diagnosed with GD. My 2-hour test was also normal. I know they say it's not your fault, and I have been eating healthy (including monitoring sugar intake), exercising, etc. but I feel like a failure.

I am traveling for work for a week starting on Sunday, and the nurse at my MW clinic said it's ok if I don't get into the diabetes clinic until after, but I am trying to get an appointment today... Today is also my last day at my current job, and I'm just trying to hold it together.

kswiger06

I just took my glucose test yesterday, so I'm not sure yet how the test turned out, but I did just read this in my magazine. It's not food GD specifically, so maybe ask your Dr first, but I thought it might be nice or useful, especially with the holidays right around the corner. There might be good alternatives to what you normally eat. 

skiingstark

kswiger06 said:

I just took my glucose test yesterday, so I'm not sure yet how the test turned out, but I did just read this in my magazine. It's not food GD specifically, so maybe ask your Dr first, but I thought it might be nice or useful, especially with the holidays right around the corner. There might be good alternatives to what you normally eat. 

I feel like GD you are basically on South Beach or Atkins Diet because that is what ate on that diet. 

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Everything on the "Try This" column makes me depressed .  

musicinmysoul17

@madamerwin I know it sucks especially to be so close to passing. And I know it feels awful. I just came from my class and getting the info helped a lot. I thought I'd have to cut out a lot of foods completely but it's not as bad as I thought. We can just vent and complain to each other. 

madamerwin

Question for everyone: How long was it between you finding out you failed the GTT and actually seeing a dietitian and/or went to the class to learn about testing procedures and dietary changes?

I just found out this morning that I failed, and I called the diabetes clinic the MW referred me to right away. They have not called back yet (it's 1pm my time), so I doubt I will be able to get in today. Traveling for work Sunday-Friday, so I'm hoping at least I will be able to get in right when I get back.

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@madamerwin i found out last week I have GD and I couldn't get an appointment until  11/22. My OB is okay with that. He just said,  in the meantime, I could go online and get some diabetes healthy recipes, cut out sugar as much as I can.  He's not crazy worried.  

madamerwin

That makes me feel better, @AfKash. I checked out the website you linked to above, and I plan to do some more research on meal plans before I leave for my trip. The nurse I spoke with also didn't seem super worried about me getting an appointment immediately - she said after my trip was fine - but I am an anxious person, and wish I could get in NOW.

musicinmysoul17

I found out a week and a half ago and just did my class today. 

feelingjovani

How long did it take you all to get the results of your 1 hour test? I took mine 2 weeks ago and haven't heard anything and there's nothing online in my results. I suppose I should call and ask but I wasn't sure if it takes a while. Usually when I get regular blood tests I can see the results online the next day. 

musicinmysoul17

They called the next day for both of mine. I would definitely call. 

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@curlycupcake21 I hope that they didn't call you because you passed.  But it certainly doesn't take 2 weeks to get the results.  Doctor should have it the very next day.  

Xstatic3333

CurlyCupcake21 said:

How long did it take you all to get the results of your 1 hour test? I took mine 2 weeks ago and haven't heard anything and there's nothing online in my results. I suppose I should call and ask but I wasn't sure if it takes a while. Usually when I get regular blood tests I can see the results online the next day. 

My MW said that no call=you passed. I've learned that I can't trust them with that stuff though, so I called anyway. 

Sarah1253

I had gestational diabetes last time and found out at 16 weeks I have it again. My one hour number was 230 so no need to do it again. I am on a pill called Glyburide every night at dinner. It helps my numbers. The last time I was diet controlled and went until 41 weeks. This time I will be induced at 39 weeks. My DS was only 7lbs 14oz so not a big baby. At the end I get non-stress tests every week to monitor baby. 

They are kind of at a loss with me because I only weigh 118lbs at 28 weeks so they want more weight gain but I can't eat that much with GD. I miss my sweets! It's worth it though.

feelingjovani

Thanks all! Maybe I'll call to check just in case. I was concerned that they may have gotten lost or something because my test results always show up online and this didn't. 

Lafreeman21

@Sarah1253 You've got this. Protein FTW  

cinderin

with the diet changes, it can be hard to give up some foods, but remember it's just for a couple months. 

kerris713

I passed my 24 week and have my 28 week test at the end of the month so at least I can enjoy Thanksgiving. I had GD with my 1st and I also passed my 24 week then failed my 28 week. I told my ob that I will not do a 3 hr test this time around and just go directly to Joslin as a GD patient. Hoping it won't even be necessary bc my numbers were better this time around than last time but that can always change. 

musicinmysoul17

So I went to my class on Friday and got my meter to start testing. I've been keeping my schedule and testing 4 times a day and I know it's only been a few days but I've only had 1 high number because of a heavy Chinese food dinner. Otherwise my numbers have been good and pretty well below the markers. I'm really hoping that when I show my doc my log at my appointment after Thanksgiving he'll let me scale back on testing cause it sucks.