GD Thread

thatbaintforbetty

the great GD thread. 

Ask questions, complain or share tips/tricks/recipes! 

thatbaintforbetty

@kayceebaby1 threads up. 

This is my second go around with GD and I’ve been on the diet this pregnancy since like 16 ish weeks. Been on insulin since like 21 weeks. 

lyse01

I read this as the God Damn thread, which I find strangely appropriate. Sympathies, ladies.

jayhawkmom4

I passed my GD test but when I had my ultrasound the MFM said the baby's abdomen was large which is a big indicator of GD so while I am not having to test my blood sugar, I have been trying really hard to follow a GD diet. I am going to asked to be re screened in a few weeks because I am nervous about it. So I have been reading and learning from the GD threads! Hugs to you! 

TheSouffleGirl

DDing because I posted in this thread instead of the test thread by mistake... maybe the drink DID do me dirty. :P Sorry, ladies!

thatbaintforbetty

@lyse01 I have on occasion definitely said that after testing my blood sugar. So very appropriate. 

kaitykins

I was high for my first test, waiting on the second test. Been researching increasing fiber and soluble fiber specifically for helping to manage my higher level while.I wait to retest. I am having a very difficult time because I’m already on a prescribed diet and most fibers bother my intestines it seems. Did anyone’s dr talk to them about upping fiber? 

thatbaintforbetty

@kbirchtree not as such, but the GD diet generally lays out that half your meals should be non-starchy veggies. They do not make many demands on the size/type of your protein (except when it comes with carbs ie sauces/marinades/batter etc) but the number of carbs (bread/pasta/rice/starchy veg/fruit) and the amount of vegetables is a huge factor. 

kaitykins

thatbaintforbetty said:

@kbirchtree not as such, but the GD diet generally lays out that half your meals should be non-starchy veggies. They do not make many demands on the size/type of your protein (except when it comes with carbs ie sauces/marinades/batter etc) but the number of carbs (bread/pasta/rice/starchy veg/fruit) and the amount of vegetables is a huge factor. 

Yeah, I can barely eat veggies right now and eat mostly carbs protein and fat. So I am worried it’s causing high bs without it being gd (because I’m also getting low feeling, like shakes and irritable)

thatbaintforbetty

@kbirchtree I would definitely mention it.
The GD diet is funky. There’s a bit of offsetting that can be done with fats. Basically certain things can react better in the full fat version but it can vary person to person. I know some people have better luck with say half and half in coffee vs like 1% milk. Everyone reacts differently and you can react to things differently day to day. I can have the same meal on different days and get vastly different numbers. It’s super frustrating. 

kayceebaby1

So here's what my prescribed diet looks like. 

Breakfast: 30 grams of carb

Morning snack: 15-25 grams of carb

Lunch: 45-60 grams of carb

Afternoon snack: 15 grams of carb

Dinner: 45-60 grams of carb

Bedtime snack: 15-20 grams of carb and protein

My struggle is the snacks... And honestly eating enough carbs. I feel like I'm either way too high or way too low. @thatbaintforbetty are we the only ones diagnosed in the group? What are you snacking on these days?

thatbaintforbetty

@kayceebaby1 you have more leeway then me in your carb counts, lol. 
Mine is 30 for breakfast, 15 for snacks and 45 for lunch and dinner. 

Snacks are usually string cheese and some fruit. Peanut butter is good as a snack paired with fruit or crackers but I’ve been iffy on peanut butter this pregnancy. Cottage cheese if you like it with some fruit can work too I think (I’m not a fan of it). I try to incorporate dairy into my day snacks since I can’t drink as much milk as I’d like and you still need the calcium. Yogurt can work as a snack but the less sugar the better and it can difficult to pair it with something else. Cheese is generally a protein but milk is a carb. There’s a lot of trial and error at first. And read labels for things like portion sizes! A food log with your numbers can help to see patterns of what works well for you and what doesn’t. I do almonds and a small piece of dark chocolate for a bedtime snack and my doc is cool with it. My fasting numbers haven’t been an issue when I eat it so I’m cool to continue. And it helps me deal by getting at least a little something sweet still. 

I was was told to avoid dairy with breakfast or in the bedtime snack as you are extra sensitive to it at those times and it will give you much higher numbers. 

I know exactly what you mean about either being above or below the carb count on meals. I try to do milk with dinner and 30g of whatever carb. I found a whole wheat bread that is 11g a slice so grilled cheese or tuna sandwich can be an option when I’m feeling super exhausted. Generally we do a meat and a pasta/potato/bread carb. But depending on what exactly it is can have different outcomes. Although my dinner number are usually the best since I move more after dinner (doing the dishes, cleaning up around the apartment, dealing with DD). 

If you are a coffee drinker it can be hard to work in. I do 2 tablespoons of toasted coconut almond milk in my coffee and it’s been okay. But probably only because I fought my doc that I wasn’t giving it up and worked to find the least amount of carbs I could. 

thatbaintforbetty

I think it’s just us so far but I’m not sure the latter half of the month has finished testing either. 

jayhawkmom4

What what should your bs after lunch?

thatbaintforbetty

@jayhawkmom4 That depends. I’ve heard a of a couple different testing schedules/levels. I am supposed to be under 120 an hour after my first bite of food. But I’ve heard of testing after 2 hours and having to be under 120 and testing after an hour and being under 140. Some are an hour after the first bite, some are after the midway point in a meal. 

I wish there was a standard. But I’ve found that nothing is when it comes to GD. 

pigglesworth

Hey ladies - can I hang with you guys on this thread? I’m on the June board but diagnosed at 12 weeks, so no one there has tested yet.  I’m 18w 3d, FTM, PCOS before getting pregnant, and have been keeping my daytime numbers great with diet control, I have to take metformin at night for my fasting number. I joined a GD board on Facebook that’s been super helpful, If you just search gestational diabetes support it pops up.

Breakfast is my hardest to control - I’m more insulin resistant in the mornings. It’s also so frustrating how differently foods affect me even if the are within carb limits. I could do low sugar oats in the beginning but can’t tolerafe them now, same with fruit at breakfast, though I have had success lately with half a grapefruit paired with scrambled eggs and cheese. 

For those who have been diagnosed, what does your dr want your levels at? I’m 90 or below for fasting, and 120 or below 1 hour after eating - 4 finger pokes a day. 

thatbaintforbetty

@pigglesworth Hello! I have no experience with Metformin, all the docs I’ve had go straight to insulin. It’s apparently more effective at controlling your levels when diagnosed with GD before 3rd tri and can be much more easily adjusted. I was diagnosed my first pregnancy at 12 weeks as well. 


My levels are supposed to be the same as your. I’m on 2 shots of insulin in the morning, one at dinner and 1 at bedtime. 4 finger pokes a day. 

I have a hard time with breakfast and lunch. I had an aversion to eggs and peanut butter early on that made it difficult to find something to eat. Honestly right now the only way my breakfast numbers are within range is if I’m under my carb count. Today I had whole wheat toast with peanut butter and coffee with almond milk creamer. I usually have toast and a couple pieces of bacon but I’m out and need to pick up more. The bread I have is 11g of carbs a slice so coupled with the couple of carbs from the almond milk I’m at least 10 under. I can’t seem to find a good balance. 

Any veggies you like that would add into your eggs well? Are you able to get in any exercise after breakfast? 

kaitykins

Hi @pigglesworth I’m not diagnosed yet but still hanging with these ladies while I wait to see with my 3hr fast. I also have PCOS and was on metformin before pregnancy and through 12weeks. It’s actually showing an effective treatment option for GD but it does go to baby so they like to do insulin with mommas not already on metformin. It also reduces risk of miscarriage to continue it to certain parts of pregnancy. 

Anyway, I’m trying to help my insulin work better (knowing my gd risk with PCOS is high and I just failed my 1hr test) and one thing that is supposed to help is soluble fibers, like nuts and sunflower seeds, which might help you keep more balanced post breakfast. I’m trying to have some with every meal to help my body use the insulin I’m making. Also a post-meal brisk walk 10min or so is supposed to help too. 

jayhawkmom4

Had my 28 week appt and baby’s abdomen is measuring really large and my fluid is on the high side of normal. So we are going to screen again for GD just to be safe. It seems I’m showing all the signs except having high blood sugars. So I’m going to continue on the GD plan to try and keep baby’s weight in check. 

fuzzywombat

Got the call that I’ll be joining you guys! Just had a nice cry in the parking lot at work

thatbaintforbetty

Hugs @fuzzywombat

Im sorry.  It’s never an easy thing to hear (even if you’re expecting it). 

kaitykins

Had my three hr draw today. Results tend to be pretty quick. 😬

Trying to start working on the fiber increases and eating more balanced both because it’s time anyway and to reduce the stress of changes if I have to due to gd.  

kayceebaby1

@fuzzywombat oh the old parking lot cry... I did that too. Sending good thoughts to all of us and our sweet sweet little ones we have brewing 😍😍

My fasting has to be below 90 and 1 hour after my first bite is less than 140. Just had my 28 week checkup and my fundal height was about 1 standard deviation outside the norm. Getting an extra ultrasound at 34 weeks. 

I've been trying to make all my carbs "complex carbs" to the best of my ability. It seems to keep my sugars in the recommended range. I'm finding the whole GD thing is incredibly personal and based on your hormones. Dang hormones.

kaitykins

Well, I don’t have GD. Very grateful. I am going to keep eating healthier than I was though. I will probs pop in and see how you ladies are doing but I don’t want to tread on your venting/advice toes.  

fuzzywombat

Thanks @thatbaintforbetty and @kayceebaby1 ❤️. Feeling slightly better about everything today. DH has type 1, so at least I have a sympathetic partner to help me figure this all out.  Meeting with the educator on Monday. 

thatbaintforbetty

I need to complain. 

They upped my insulin yesterday and now I feel icky. The upping is normal and I know it has to happen. I ate the same breakfast as yesterday but with the increased insulin today and my numbers are better but I don’t think my body liked it. I also now am super worried I’m going to have more low episodes. Ugh. I wish I could find a better happy medium. 

fuzzywombat

@thatbaintforbetty I’m sorry. Yay for better numbers but sorry it made you feel crappy. Hopefully today is going better. Lows are awful, fingers crossed they don’t increase for you. 

kayceebaby1

fuzzywombat glad you have such a great support system at home!

kayceebaby1

@thatbaintforbetty ack. Sounds so frustrating. Hope you're feeling better today! I'm guessing it takes some adjusting? What does a low feel like?

thatbaintforbetty

@kayceebaby1 The body partially adjusts but the hormones in pregnancy make it more difficult since they change a lot. Low feels like a light headed shaky ick. Some get headaches or vision issues. It’s generally not a worry unless you are on insulin, because the body can react differently, at different times and what you eat can affect it and how active you are. 

They have me on a slow acting at breakfast that is supposed to peak by the time I hit lunch but I don’t think the timing is working out right. So I’m hitting the lows before my scheduled meal would be counteracting it. 

jayhawkmom4

@thatbaintforbetty  That does not sound like fun! Hopefully your body will adjust to the new insulin and you won't feel so icky!!! Hang in there mama! 

catherineclaire78

Hi ladies, waiting for my results from my 3-hour test yesterday, since I failed the one hour, but I have a question. 

Did any of you had a blood sugar crash after the 3 hour test? I was feeling fine during the test (as fine as could be expected—had obviously been fasting and chugging crappy glucose) but then after the test I picked up some lunch and got to my office to eat it. Before I had a chance to eat, I started getting shaky and broke out in a full body sweat...so much sweat that I soaked through my shirt and was using napkins to wipe sweat off my face. I live in Chicago where it’s so cold this week that indoor heating can’t keep up so the office temp was about 63, so I know it wasn’t that...just wondering if this happened to anyone else? 

fuzzywombat

@catherineclaire78 yep.  I had a small snack immediately after the test. Probably waited a little too long to eat lunch afterwards and got super sweaty and shaky.  Mine was a two hour test, so I imagine the crash is only worse with more sugar and longer to wait. 

thatbaintforbetty

@catherineclaire78 I drove to my moms and inhaled a chocolate muffin right afterwards. I do remember feeling really icky during and after though. 

pigglesworth

@thatbaintforbetty I usually try to add spinach or chopped peppers and tomatoes to my eggs, and go for a little walk afterwards, even if it’s just around my house. 

fuzzywombat

After a not so great weekend, I met with the nutritionist and my ob yesterday and I’m feeling so much less stressed. 
Hope everyone’s week is off to a good start

thatbaintforbetty

Things I learned today:
Apparently if you give yourself shots in the same general area too frequently you can get “insulin lumps.”

 I’ve been sticking to the area that’s the least painful but I guess that’s over since the “lumps” don’t absorb the insulin as well. Also the needles I got from the new insurance are longer and while I know I’m not going to actually hit anything it still is weird to me to do them in some areas. 

Argh!!!! 

Seriously is is April yet? Also doc appointment yesterday says we are looking at an end date around 38 to 39 weeks depending on how my blood sugar and blood pressure are doing. Sooner if they have issues. 

sheepshepherdess

Hey all, add me to the list. Just got the call today that I have GD. I have no information yet, but waiting for the nutritionist to call me back.

I felt amazing during and after the test, and ate a grilled chicken sandwich and salad right afterwards. I also love the glucose drink and would drink it all day so there’s that. Somehow pregnancy has turned me into a sugar junkie, only I guess now I know why.

sheepshepherdess

@thatbaintforbetty insulin does not sound like a fun time, that’s for sure!

thatbaintforbetty

@sheepshepherdess Welcome to our not so fun club! Lol

I definitely am a sugar junkie normally. 

Insulin is no fun but you gotta do what you gotta do. I thought I was spacing them out enough but I guess not. 

sheepshepherdess

Also, how do you all cope with this diagnosis mentally? When telling others, how do you explain the facts? MIL heard that I had high blood glucose and asked if I was drinking enough water. Like, A) I drink a gallon a day, and I’m pretty sure that has nothing to do with me failing my GD test? Kind of at a loss here.