@SparkySunDevil I've never heard of a random glucose draw but if your system indicates that value is normal that's wonderful! If you have a history of borderline draws I can't see how it would hurt to continue to aim for low sugar/somewhat low carb, but fingers crossed you don't have to follow any regimen formally.
I was discharged this week (32 weeks) from the MFM/GD monitoring program for keeping my numbers in check with diet and exercise. I'll stick to the eating patterns and monitor on my own and let them know if anything looks weird, but I don't have to check in with them again. Ironically, now that I'm not supervised my numbers are better--it's not trivial how much the stress of all the reporting and associated anxiety can affect mood and numbers! I'd generally hovered around 90 for fasting (my program'a limit) but today it was 77, go figure.
Regardless I can't wait to throw my meter into a dumpster when this baby is born. And break into the doctors office and steal the dietician's smug little plastic educational facsimiles of food and set them adrift in the ocean.
When I went in for my appointment two weeks ago, they told me to go have blood drawn for a random glucose check. /shrug. the numbers came back normal, and he said for me to keep doing what I've been doing (eating low carb/low sugar). I'm already down 5 pounds in the 6 weeks since I had my borderline number come back. I go back in two weeks and he'll do a growth scan to see how big she's looking
Have you been testing post meals? Every random draw I've had (i.e. not 1 or 2 hrs post meal or fasting) has been below 90. I definitely have GD as evidenced by my "non-random" testings. My growth scans have been normal as well. Seems like a different way of monitoring when you could just take a 3hr for an actual diagnosis.
Nope, not monitoring blood sugars at all. He doesn't seem to think there's any reason to bother with the 3 hour.
Honestly, I'd get another opinion. He won't "bother" with a 3 hour but he'll do extra growth scan where anything found on the scan would be found too late? You've said several concerning things about your medical care this far.
@sparkysundevil I've been lurking in general even though I don't have GD, but am interested in at least kind of understanding the process. I'm just really confused, if you're not diagnosed with GD (at least so it seems) or not monitoring, then why check in? Sorry if I'm coming off as rude or anything, I'm just trying to understand. I did see the result of your random draw and I'm guessing they didn't follow up because it's within the normal range. Was your one hour within range as well?
All of my levels have been elevated today!! For no reason!! I'm not even eating the amount of carbs I'm supposed to!! This is stressing me out! Why are they high???
@jayandaplus I'm so sorry, those days are the worst and they happen to everyone so you're not alone! What's somewhat likely is that the very stress that comes from the high numbers in turn makes them high, it's a vicious circle. I had a day that kept mounting like that and it resulted in a full blown panic attack--I called in a sick day in the middle of the day and just crawled into bed. My numbers were a lot better when I woke up.
You don't have to be as pointlessly dramatic as I am but I would definitely recommend doing something just for you, to calm yourself down--in particular going for a walk or doing a light workout or yoga class. It will both make you feel better and give the cardiovascular effects that will help lower your numbers.
All of my levels have been elevated today!! For no reason!! I'm not even eating the amount of carbs I'm supposed to!! This is stressing me out! Why are they high???
if your not eating enough carbs you body can turn protein into glucose
@jayandaplus I documented everything! I get migraines so if they interfered with my eating/number schedule I just wrote it all down in my log. It's totally unreasonable to force 6 meals a day when you're sick. I hope you feel better soon!
@jayandaplus agree with @lrwardrop... when I felt under the weather last week I checked my sugars and they were low. Eating crackers and a cheese stick helped and once my sugar level was back to "normal" I didn't feel as bad. Hope you're feeling better today!
So had OB appointment today, and she said the nausea/vomiting cold be pregnancy related (which it feels like it is.) She was also happy with my BS numbers, so yay! Thanks for the support everyone!
At my shower I got a onesie that said, "Full of Sugar." My hubby & I laughed & laughed. I mean, with my diet changes, she isn't literally full of sugar anymore, but the irony/humor wasn't lost on us.
My numbers have been high for the past 3 days but I haven't eaten anything particularly bad. Hoping that shapes up before I see my doc next week.
Today's GD win: I had an "A Wreck" salad from Potbelly with Potbelly vinaigrette (17 carbs) and 1/2 of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (30 carbs). My blood sugar was 124 one hour post meal. New strategy? Salads with cookies.
I'm just wondering how you are all doing with balancing your blood sugar numbers vs your urine ketones??
I find that when I keep my blood sugar levels low like they want, my ketones in the morning are high but when I try to keep the ketones low, my sugar is too high. It's so frustrating. Is there some secret I'm missing here? Lol
I usually have numbers higher first thing in the morning regardless if I have a bedtime snack or not. But they are generally right in the perfect spot the rest of the day when I'm eating properly and being active.
@JenLMac1988 Are you eating your allotted carbs when your ketones are high? They told me that I couldn't carb restrict or avoid carbs because that would lead to higher ketones. So I've had to get very creative with my carbs. All forms of bread are out. I basically eat corn products and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, etc).
I'm definitely trying hard to get them all in. I find it difficult especially while I'm still working to get all my snacks in too- I feel like a big issue is that my days are so sporadic. I just can't seem to find a balance. I've basically cut out bread items like you said, fruit juices and so on and am loading up instead on a lot of veggies and proteins with my whole grains.
@JenLMac1988 and @NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot How are you testing your ketones? I definitely don't eat as many carbs as they tell me, thought most of the time I can get close and I try. (60 carbs for dinner?? How would my blood sugar not be through the roof?) I haven't checked my ketones, so now I'm worried I should be...
@jayandaplus I think you can buy strips at the drug store. My nutritionalist checked them in my urine. She lectured me on it and said that too many ketones can make your kid have a lower IQ. Strangely, she didn't suggest I test at home so she must not be too concerned about my kid's chances at a good college. Someone earlier in here also mentioned that if you don't get enough carbs your body starts dumping glucose and raises your numbers.
@jayandaplus The diabetes team gave me a bottle of strips to pee on each morning but they never really said what could happen if the ketones are too high; just that it means my body is burning fat instead of the carbs that I'm supposed to be getting in at each snack and meal; which is great for most, but not for pregnant people.
I'm new here and was just diagnosed with GD and cholestasis this past week. Currently 32w. I am excited to see all the support I've found here. I go in this week and will find out more. Do you ladies have a difficult time managing your sugars? I feel like my hardest part is going to be when I get cravings. But, I really don't want to have to go on insulin. Hoping I can stick with it.
@michelle59-2 Welcome to the May boards. Sorry you had to join us with GD. What is your MD's plan for your GD and cholestasis? My hardest part of managing my blood sugar is the trial and error of figuring out which foods are on the "no" list for me, and eating out. I find eating out very stressful and often go for a salad. Good luck!
For any of you lovely ladies whose GD is NOT diet-controlled, how often do you have visits with your doc past 32 weeks?
I have my second follow-up with the nurse and nutritionist this week, and my fasting numbers are borderline with this morning's number spiking with no cause, so I'm guessing their recommendation will be to start the insulin at night. But I had my regular check-in with my OB this morning, and she mentioned that if they do put me on insulin, I have to start coming in twice a week, and I was just wondering if my doc is extra cautious, or if that timing is "normal".
For any of you lovely ladies whose GD is NOT diet-controlled, how often do you have visits with your doc past 32 weeks?
I have my second follow-up with the nurse and nutritionist this week, and my fasting numbers are borderline with this morning's number spiking with no cause, so I'm guessing their recommendation will be to start the insulin at night. But I had my regular check-in with my OB this morning, and she mentioned that if they do put me on insulin, I have to start coming in twice a week, and I was just wondering if my doc is extra cautious, or if that timing is "normal".
I'm not currently in that situation but I had a friend who was. She went to the doctor twice a week for nst's, so your timing does sound normal.
@JenLMac1988 I was having issues with my fasting numbers being too high regardless of what I was eating. I have been drinking a ton of water before bed and throughout the night (whenever I get up to pee which is often since I'm drinking more). I haven't had a high fasting number in over two weeks just by making this change. I have even got without snacks and have had ice cream before bed and have still gotten the same results. I just discovered yesterday that a 1/2 cup serving of Edy's chocolate peanut butter ice cream has 18g of carbs. Unfortunately, 1/2 cup is really not enough to satisfy by cravings but it's a start. I had a dr appt on Friday and baby girl is in the 37th percentile so she is on the "petite" side according to the dr, but I am good with this. I keep telling myself that I have made is this far. 21 weeks of the diet from hell down, only 5 more to go. I can do this!
@jayandaplus I meet with a nutritionist tomorrow. I'm surprised that I'm a little nervous. I am being treated with urso for the cholestasis. And I have a growth scan on Wednesday. Next week I am hoping I will know how early she's coming. Before being diagnosed with the cholestasis my OB said that if I have it he'd have to induce 3 or 4 weeks early.
@saric83 I had a few weeks where I had several high fasting numbers and the dr said that if I didn't get them under control, I would have to go on medication. If I went on medication, he said I would have to start coming in twice a week. Thankfully, I have been able to control them since and have only been coming in every two weeks. Unfortunately, twice a week is not unrealistic
@saric83 I just had my first follow up since the GD diagnosis today. I am currently on glyburide to help control my fasting numbers, but everything else is diet controlled. I will start weekly NST with my obgyn next week (32 was) and will have growth ultrasounds every 4 weeks with the Maternal-Fetal specialist. I also have to send in my numbers weekly to the MFM office and if they get too wacky will have additional visits with the specialist and/or dietician as needed plus will move to NST 2x/week.
I've had 3 highs
numbers in the last 2 days, one was 202. I'm trying not to stress and to
stay positive, but it feels like there's only 5 meals I can eat if I
want good levels. Even when I try to follow the carb allowances and pair
with protein, my numbers can be bad. I guess I'll talk to my midwife at
the next visit, but I'm just worried they'll put me on meds and I won't
be able to give birth at the birth center.
What sorts of things have caused you to spike @jayandaplus? Maybe we can brainstorm some ideas. My doctor is most concerned about fasting. Have any of your fastings been high?
I had a regular OB appt yesterday. She reviewed my growth scan from the week before and is concerned that LO's abdomen (or shoulders? Now I don't remember) are measuring in the 97th percentile. The rest of him was in the 70s. Obviously this is a sign of GD, but my numbers have been pretty controlled. They also projected DD would be 8-10lbs, but she was barely 7. So I'm trying not to stress until my next U/S in a few weeks. I'd rather not have my kid get stuck on the way out, but I don't want to think about a csection quite yet.
@jayandaplus I like the plan so far. It was nice to have explanation as to why I'm having to do so much more this time than with my last pregnancy. My biggest concern is time away from work for the NSTs. The offices only schedule them from 9-330 and I work full time 8-5. It's been tricky enough to schedule my check ups and whatnot.... I don't know how working mamas do it when they have all of this on top of the check ups. Where/How do you find the time? I just don't want to use all of my PTO and be stuck come July with only a few days left to use the rest of the year.
I agree with @NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot about your numbers. My doc is also most concerned with my fasting and doesn't mind a few high post meal numbers as long as I can explain them. How far along are you? I was cautioned to prepare for some wacky unexplainable numbers around 32 weeks. Maybe that's it?
@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot A good handful of my fastings have been slightly high, so I'm thinking I just need to not eat as late at night (barely 8 between eating and fasting sometimes). I'm also thinking nothing "desserty" even if it's GD friendly before bed. My 202 was after eating a chicken flatbread (47 carbs) and protein smoothie (pb, banana, protein powder). I'm thinking it a) took me to long to get all of it down, about 30 minutes, and b) it was just too much with both of those together. I did go for a walk after eating, but I'm thinking it just was too many carbs and not enough time to bring my BS down. I just end up feeling SO guilty for the baby. So far the only carbs that seem okay are spaghetti and carb smart tortillas. A half serving of cous cous? I'm doomed. Any oatmeal, I'm screwed. Soup? No. I hate eating out because it creates so much anxiety for me now.
As for your LO, do yours MDs seemed concerned, or not yet? If your DD was barely 7 lbs and you also had GD then I don't think I'd worry too much. There's plenty of weeks left and honestly U/S are less reliable in the 3rd trimester than they are in the 1st and 2nd (did you know that?) Keeping my fingers crossed that the next U/S goes better, and you don't have to csection if you don't want to!
@jayandaplus I'm having 45g for dinner and then a >15g snack about 2-3hrs later. Usually something like Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of granola, a cheese/chicken quesadilla, or cottage cheese with a few strawberries. I can't have anything sweet dessert-y after dinner or I'm high numbers in the morning.
@jayandaplus The doctor seemed a little concerned but they definitely weren't bringing up a csection or early induction yet. She also said that it was helpful (for delivery purposes) that I was a STM. I think she was just mentioning it as a GD issue. She ordered a follow up U/S to monitor and agreed that it could be off by a bit. She also told me that I need to "strictly" follow my diet. Not sure what that means in terms of GD. I mean, it's a numbers game, right? If my numbers are good, I'm following the diet. She's not my regular OB, but I really do like her.
As far as food, maybe it was the banana and/or smoothie the banana was in. My nutritionalist said that bananas have some of the highest sugar levels of fruit and that sometimes people with GD can't have smoothies. The body doesn't like "processed" food, which she said means that smoothies are sometimes too "too processed" for some reason. I know that doesn't make sense since they are made with real fruit in a blender. Have you tried grains as sides? I've had luck with farro, quinoa, brown rice, and Trader Joe's Harvest Grains blends. I've also had luck with red skinned potatoes (but not russet or sweet). Flatbread, pitas, whole wheat bread, buns all do not work for me. Corn tortillas do though. Maybe some wraps with corn tortillas could change things up a bit? I've also been pairing a non-carb salad with a small bit of dessert or bread as my carb choices when I'm eating out. Aside from one local pizza place that makes whole wheat thing crust pizza and chipotle burrito bowls with brown rice, that's the only eating out options I've found that work.
@jayandaplus I've cut out fruit entirely, I'm just too paranoid. If I want something sweet I do a Fiber One bar (I like one that's oats and chocolate, and one that's a brownie) but only as one of my daytime snacks since I can counteract the sweetness with exercise. And how's your water intake? I've found that to be one of my absolute defining factors, even more so than post-meal walking (I hike an hour a day all at once instead): I drink a lot during the day, but mealtimes are basically the opening shot of marathon water drinking until I test an hour later (especially if I ate something experimental). I aim to drink about 48 oz before/during dinner and 72 oz after while waiting to test (I don't always get that much), and ideally to pee 1-3 times between meal and testing. I like to envision it whisking away any extra sugars before it can reach the baby. Like @cmcookaln mentioned above I also drink a lot during the night. As for bedtime snack, I've gotten lazy and just grab a handful of almonds and munch on them in bed while reading the internet--I don't think I've ever had a high fasting after that snack.
@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot I'm so sorry to hear about your doctor's concern about measurements! I bet you'll get a more accurate assessment at your next ultrasound, since it sounds like you've had your numbers under control for a couple of weeks now so hopefully those percentiles were just outdated and things have evened out with your baby's growth as well!
My biggest concern is time away from work for the NSTs. The offices only schedule them from 9-330 and I work full time 8-5. It's been tricky enough to schedule my check ups and whatnot.... I don't know how working mamas do it when they have all of this on top of the check ups. Where/How do you find the time? I just don't want to use all of my PTO and be stuck come July with only a few days left to use the rest of the year.
@PghMom412 - I totally agree and feel your pain! I was just saying that to my husband this morning. I have a very flexible work schedule, but it is still a constant struggle to fit it all in, especially since I do drop-off and pick-up for our toddler M-H! I counted up and if I make it to the 39w mark (planned CS), I will have an extra 15 GD-related appointments in addition to all of my normally scheduled OB appointments. Ahhhhhh!
@cato99 and @NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot Thank you both for the recommendations!! So helpful. There's a big learning curve to all this. I truly appreciate your advice and support!
@lrwardrop unfortunately those are the standard NST hours for the practice at every office they have. I have a call into the MFM specialist to see if I can do any there since they open at 7a. Their scheduler is checking since they usually only see moms with multiples.
@saric83 It is quite a bit extra. I go to my dr weekly and have u/s every other week & NST every week. In 2 weeks the NST will be twice a week. My GD is controlled by diet & metformin (pill). I am hoping to avoid insulin shots. I don't see a dietician/nutritionist (we don't appear to have any in my small town).
Re: GD check-in
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
You don't have to be as pointlessly dramatic as I am but I would definitely recommend doing something just for you, to calm yourself down--in particular going for a walk or doing a light workout or yoga class. It will both make you feel better and give the cardiovascular effects that will help lower your numbers.
have you checked your blood sugar?
My numbers have been high for the past 3 days but I haven't eaten anything particularly bad. Hoping that shapes up before I see my doc next week.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
Hi ladies! Happy Spring
I'm just wondering how you are all doing with balancing your blood sugar numbers vs your urine ketones??
I find that when I keep my blood sugar levels low like they want, my ketones in the morning are high but when I try to keep the ketones low, my sugar is too high. It's so frustrating. Is there some secret I'm missing here? Lol
I usually have numbers higher first thing in the morning regardless if I have a bedtime snack or not. But they are generally right in the perfect spot the rest of the day when I'm eating properly and being active.
8 weeks to go!!!
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
I have my second follow-up with the nurse and nutritionist this week, and my fasting numbers are borderline with this morning's number spiking with no cause, so I'm guessing their recommendation will be to start the insulin at night. But I had my regular check-in with my OB this morning, and she mentioned that if they do put me on insulin, I have to start coming in twice a week, and I was just wondering if my doc is extra cautious, or if that timing is "normal".
I just discovered yesterday that a 1/2 cup serving of Edy's chocolate peanut butter ice cream has 18g of carbs. Unfortunately, 1/2 cup is really not enough to satisfy by cravings but it's a start.
I had a dr appt on Friday and baby girl is in the 37th percentile so she is on the "petite" side according to the dr, but I am good with this. I keep telling myself that I have made is this far. 21 weeks of the diet from hell down, only 5 more to go. I can do this!
I've had 3 highs numbers in the last 2 days, one was 202. I'm trying not to stress and to stay positive, but it feels like there's only 5 meals I can eat if I want good levels. Even when I try to follow the carb allowances and pair with protein, my numbers can be bad. I guess I'll talk to my midwife at the next visit, but I'm just worried they'll put me on meds and I won't be able to give birth at the birth center.
I had a regular OB appt yesterday. She reviewed my growth scan from the week before and is concerned that LO's abdomen (or shoulders? Now I don't remember) are measuring in the 97th percentile. The rest of him was in the 70s. Obviously this is a sign of GD, but my numbers have been pretty controlled. They also projected DD would be 8-10lbs, but she was barely 7. So I'm trying not to stress until my next U/S in a few weeks. I'd rather not have my kid get stuck on the way out, but I don't want to think about a csection quite yet.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
I agree with @NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot about your numbers. My doc is also most concerned with my fasting and doesn't mind a few high post meal numbers as long as I can explain them. How far along are you? I was cautioned to prepare for some wacky unexplainable numbers around 32 weeks. Maybe that's it?
As for your LO, do yours MDs seemed concerned, or not yet? If your DD was barely 7 lbs and you also had GD then I don't think I'd worry too much. There's plenty of weeks left and honestly U/S are less reliable in the 3rd trimester than they are in the 1st and 2nd (did you know that?) Keeping my fingers crossed that the next U/S goes better, and you don't have to csection if you don't want to!
As far as food, maybe it was the banana and/or smoothie the banana was in. My nutritionalist said that bananas have some of the highest sugar levels of fruit and that sometimes people with GD can't have smoothies. The body doesn't like "processed" food, which she said means that smoothies are sometimes too "too processed" for some reason. I know that doesn't make sense since they are made with real fruit in a blender. Have you tried grains as sides? I've had luck with farro, quinoa, brown rice, and Trader Joe's Harvest Grains blends. I've also had luck with red skinned potatoes (but not russet or sweet). Flatbread, pitas, whole wheat bread, buns all do not work for me. Corn tortillas do though. Maybe some wraps with corn tortillas could change things up a bit? I've also been pairing a non-carb salad with a small bit of dessert or bread as my carb choices when I'm eating out. Aside from one local pizza place that makes whole wheat thing crust pizza and chipotle burrito bowls with brown rice, that's the only eating out options I've found that work.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot I'm so sorry to hear about your doctor's concern about measurements! I bet you'll get a more accurate assessment at your next ultrasound, since it sounds like you've had your numbers under control for a couple of weeks now so hopefully those percentiles were just outdated and things have evened out with your baby's growth as well!