GD Support Thread Week of 2/6

M&Max

Hi Ladies! I figured for those of you getting postive GD results back that this thread could be helpful for questions that come up, venting or things that are working for you that might help others.  I think this is the 2nd diagnosis for a few of us so ask away if you are running into issues.  Maybe we should do these weekly - posted on Sunday/Monday's??

Below is fairly standard snapshot of what you should be aiming for (again, your dr/nutritionist may recommend a variation of this so always check with them!):

Breakfast: 15-30g carbs, 1-4 protein servings

Snack: 15-30g carbs, 1-2 protein servings

Lunch: 30-60g carbs, 2-6 protein servings

Snack: 15-30g carbs, 1-2 protein servings

Dinner: 30-60g carbs, 2-6 protein servings

Bedtime snack: 15-30g carbs, 1-2 protein servings

M&Max

I'll share a bedtime treat that's been working for me the past few days - Sugar Free Popsicles!  I've got laryngitis with some awful coughing and these have been fantastic for soothing my throat and with only 4g of carbs these have been just fine for my numbers combined with some protein. Plus since they are so low in carbs I've been able to have more than one - haha! Just figured I'd throw them out there as an idea for anyone craving something cold/juice flavored. 

pammasu0909

I'd like to point out that I did the math... since my doctor probably won't let me go as far as my due date, I have less than 220 stabs to go!  That number seems way more tolerable than 8 weeks haha.

My biggest tip/trick... peanut butter cup ice cream before bed. Bit of protein, some carbs, and yummy to boot

M&Max

@pammasu0909 I love that you did the math as far as how many finger pricks you have left! I'm just dreading have to do the NSTs and weekly ultrasounds again.  Love getting to see baby but last time it felt like I was always in that office!

pammasu0909

Ugh, I'm dreading all the time off/negotiating with work for the NSTs.  The more time I spend in that office, the less I get paid while on leave... and this time around it may shorten my leave.

M&Max

@pammasu0909 check with your office - mine was able to schedule my NSTs for 8 am which helped me to be able to get out of there by 8:30 assuming baby coordinated.  I just made sure to always bring some crackers and ice cold water to help baby along. Still not ideal but at least I was able to get into the office at a decent time. 

dam0ne4

Oh good - I like weekly check ins to vent about GD!

I had a bad day yesterday and I'm not sure why.  All my numbers were too high even though I ate the same stuff I always do.  My MFM Dr had me increase by glyburide dose at night to get my fasting numbers more controlled so hopefully that works.

I've been trying the apple cider vinegar at night too.  I need to be more consistent with it since it definitely seems to help my fasting numbers.

I had a much easier time managing GD with diet for my first pregnancy.  It's been more of a struggle this time, even with meds.  I can't really splurge at all like I could last time

Limie

@dam0ne4  my first time around was so much easier!  If I had a little sweet snack before bed, no big deal.  This time if I even think about a sweet snack before bed my fasting numbers are horrible!  I'm pretty sure I'll end up on meds this time around.  I'll find out tomorrow.  With that being said my sweet husband, bless his heart,  brought me a snickers home and I have no will power around snickers.  My fasting number will be awful in the morning. 

pammasu0909

Wooo!  My doctor said I only need to track 3 days a week since my numbers have been ok. I'm still a little paranoid and the temptation to cheat is way too real so I may still randomly test.

elgie

pammasu0909 said:

I'd like to point out that I did the math... since my doctor probably won't let me go as far as my due date, I have less than 220 stabs to go!  That number seems way more tolerable than 8 weeks haha.

My biggest tip/trick... peanut butter cup ice cream before bed. Bit of protein, some carbs, and yummy to boot

I love that you have a countdown for stabs left lol!

I'm a little over 2 weeks in (post-diagnoses) and I have to say I am feeling much more at ease about things. I was so worried about the baby and stressed that I had been diagnosed late and had already done irreparable damage-all that FTM drama but I have done really well with my eating and my numbers have stayed consistently under 120 (well below actually) and my doctor was so reassuring!

Quick question...my doctor said that nothing will change as far as my remaining appointments go. She didn't mention extra scans or NSTs...is this normal? It's always so weird how different doctor's are in their protocols.

M&Max

@elgie That's awesome about your numbers! Being able to control it well with diet is always the best option.  With my first pregnancy not much changed until I hit 36 weeks.  I believe it was because I was on a minimal dose of Glyburide that I had to have weekly ultrasounds and NSTs to check fluid levels and baby's activity. My office will not allow anyone with GD to go past 39 weeks as well so I had a scheduled induction with my first and expect the same with this baby. 

Maybe nothing has to be different if you can control all of your numbers with just diet change? 

peachy0709

Uhm... I did not know about this weekly ultrasound and NST. UGH. I'll get over it but I need a minute to be pissy. 

Also, I'm a little frustrated because I cannot get my numbers quite right. I'm eating exactly to plan, but it's just slightly off.  I'm not over by an egregious amount, but for example, my fasting rate seems to just hold at 98.  Yesterday I was high for 3/4 readings.  All were only over by about 4-6 "points" so my doctor told me to try exercising a little more (I'm only walking, so he suggested increasing the time).

 Last night I burst into tears because DH says he wants to help, but last night he just was not listening to me about when I had to have my bedtime snack and what it could or couldn't be... he just started making an effing smoothie with no guidance.  I couldn't even yell, I just cried and cried and cried. 

Okay.  My pity party is over for now.  

dam0ne4

@kcasset I know how you feel.  I'll have 2 days with good numbers and then a crappy day like today even though I'm eating the same stuff.  So frustrating.  Walking and doing light weights does seem to help, but I can't always get to the gym, plus it's cold and icy here.

My weekly ultrasounds start in March.  Can't wait

peachy0709

@dam0ne4 - thanks for clarifying about the weekly ultrasounds.  I was so confused why it hadn't been mentioned to me, but it sounds like they may be waiting until a certain point that I haven't hit yet. 

M&Max

@kcasset you may mention your fastings to your dr.  My fastings always read consistently at 100 or slightly higher and then ended up putting me on 1 dose of Glyburide.  It's helped the fastings dramatically and also helped my other readings even though they never ran high. 

Usually the ultrasounds/NSTs don't start until much closer to the end. It stinks but it's also fun to see the baby so much. 

peachy0709

M&Max said:

@kcasset you may mention your fastings to your dr.  My fastings always read consistently at 100 or slightly higher and then ended up putting me on 1 dose of Glyburide.  It's helped the fastings dramatically and also helped my other readings even though they never ran high. 

Usually the ultrasounds/NSTs don't start until much closer to the end. It stinks but it's also fun to see the baby so much. 

Yes - I called today and I am going in Monday. 

A question for you all in the meantime - did any one get any guidance on how the amount of time you should eat your meals/snacks within? My job (like all of ours!!) is just insane at times and its common for it to take me an hour to eat my lunch.  I have to imagine this is a no-no with GD, but I can't find ANYTHING clear on the internet about it. 

M&Max

I remember my dr saying that it didn't matter how long it took me to eat lunch but to check my sugar 2 hrs after I first started eating. 

hb7

I have been put on metformin xr because I was still getting some higher readings even though I was following the diet.  What is the Apple cider vinegar trick? I would love to try that. I have started putting a cinnamon stick in my decaf coffee or tea. It is supposed to lower blood sugar and also tastes really good as well.

dam0ne4

@hb7 I mix 2 tsp apple cider vinegar with a glass of water and drink it before bed. It does seem to help my fasting numbers. I believe they also sell it in capsule form - the taste is a bit much, even diluted

Mama5181

Does your Dr have you check numbers at 1 hour or 2 hours post eating?

dam0ne4

2 hours for me

hb7

2 hrs here too

Jillyjersey

2 hours. Question, what is considered high numbers for everyone? I've had pretty good numbers I think (70s here and there, 80s, 90s). I'm on week 2 of testing and refined diet and am meeting with the nutritionist at maternal fetal center this week and am still kind of confused with this whole GD thing. Some days I eat kind of normal and my numbers are good . Today I tried to eat Chinese food (brown rice and chicken and broccoli) and I was 119 after . It wasn't worth it , just didn't feel good eating it. So is that a high number ? 

pammasu0909

@kcasset seems to me your diet plan may not be working.  Have you tried playing with it?  Add more protein, different kinds of carbs, etc?  For example, my fasting numbers are spot on when I had peanut butter cup ice cream and walnuts before bed... but if I have crackers and cheese they are high.

M&Max

@Jillyjersey for me anything higher than 120 2 hrs after eating is considered too high by my doctor.  They want me between 85 and 120 2 hrs after a meal.  The highest reading I've had was 130 and I just simply didn't eat enough protein with that meal.  You'd want to ask your doctor what they are considering as high for you and your diet plan.  The general rule of thumb is below 120 after 2 hrs post eating.

dam0ne4

I had a 200 after eating thin crust pizza so never again.  I have had a few random meals in the 140-150s.  I make sure I walk after and drink a lot of water if I get a spike.

My fasting numbers still suck even with my increased dose of glyburide.  I think my numbers are rising overnight.  I went to bed with an 80 after snack and woke up with a 110

peachy0709

pammasu0909 said:

@kcasset seems to me your diet plan may not be working.  Have you tried playing with it?  Add more protein, different kinds of carbs, etc?  For example, my fasting numbers are spot on when I had peanut butter cup ice cream and walnuts before bed... but if I have crackers and cheese they are high.

I did a bit and went to the doctor today as well.  Yesterday I had a perfect day, then my fasting was high again.  I tried very different snacks and it seems to not make a difference.  My OB is planning to see me again in a week and assess since my numbers really were only over by no more than 5 most of the time, but after reviewing both my numbers and my diet he thinks regardless I'll have to go on some medication before it's over just because it gets harder to control as baby gets bigger. 

I also have to get an ultrasound next week because I put on more weight than usual over the last two weeks (despite eating so healthy, of course) and measured 2 weeks ahead. I'm not so worried about this part because it actually follows my patterns with DD.  My doctor for DD kept telling me that "there was no way she'd be more than 7 lbs" and I knew better. I don't know why we still play these silly games of them pretending they know what a baby weighs when they really have no idea. 

peachy0709

OH, oh... sorry for a second post. I forgot to ask. Did any of you have GD last time and have to have a c-section? If so, was it scheduled?  If yes (this is becoming a choose your own adventure), what time was it scheduled for? Mine is scheduled for 1 pm, and at first I was like, I can survive without eating for 12+ hours (because I do not want to vomit), but then remembered my blood sugar. How does that work??

HappyAnjel

@kcasset I had it with DD and had a C-section but it wasn't planned.. I'm not sure how that works I'll be sure to ask at my next appointment though as I'm having a planned one this time!


My platelets have been extremely low and I'm seeing a hematologist tomorrow.. the Ob says I will probably be put on steroids which are going to up my blood sugar levels... anyone dealt with something similar to this?

peachy0709

Me again...........

Anyone notice a strong ammonia smell to their urine? I noticed it from my panty liner this morning ( I KNOW, DISGUSTING, BUT I HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO ASK ). Google says it could be from dehydration, GESTATIONAL DIABETES, increase in protein in the diet, OR scary things.  I've called my doctor's office and played phone tag all day (which makes me want to sob because I'm frustrated and emotional right now) but thought I'd ask here as well.  TIA! 

shaunessa

kcasset said:

Me again...........

Anyone notice a strong ammonia smell to their urine? I noticed it from my panty liner this morning ( I KNOW, DISGUSTING, BUT I HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO ASK ). Google says it could be from dehydration, GESTATIONAL DIABETES, increase in protein in the diet, OR scary things.  I've called my doctor's office and played phone tag all day (which makes me want to sob because I'm frustrated and emotional right now) but thought I'd ask here as well.  TIA! 

No smell from my urine, but definitely a little from my vaginal leakage.  Sorry I couldn't be much help!