New diagnosis of GD . . with pre-existing IR

musicmama10

HI Ladies,

I just got diagnosed last week with GD.  I have IR which I have been dealing with for about 17 years.  Was on Glumetza (slow-release Metformin) until 20 weeks and was taken off Pioglitazone (insulin sensitizer) as soon as I found out I was pg.

 Am having a hard time with managing food . . I still vomit about once a day (or more) and am nauseous almost constantly.  Carbs are about the only thing that doesn't upset my tummy too much (i.e. crackers, toast, etc.).  Any suggestions?

Also ended up in the hospital being monitored a few days ago for low blood sugar.  Haven't been too low again, but my levels are fluctuating quite a bit throughout the day.

Also found out after my OB appt that I have gained a fair amount of weigth in the past 5 weeks (18 lbs).  I am already a big lady, so I find this concerning (more than doubled all my weight gain throughout the whole pregnancy).  Haven't seen the OB again to tell her . . something to be concerned about???

Thanks all! 

kristin172429

Can you stomach peanut butter or cheese?  I like those for eating on crackers.  Gives you a balance of carbs and protein.  Definitely try and eat whole grains instead of refined, white carbs.  I hate trying to eat when I am nauseous, so I feel bad for you trying to deal with that and the GD diet.  Have you met with a dietician at all?  They might have some good suggestions.  

If you have levels fluctuating a lot, try and eat as regularly as you can.  Every 2-3 hours is what I was told.  

As for your weight gain, if you are worried about it, give the office a call and check-in.  

Good luck! 

TwiMom

I'm so sorry that you are dealing with all of this at once!  Like pp said, if you can stomach peanut butter or cheese with your crackers or toast that will definitely help.  And eat whole grains when possible instead of the white stuff.  I was told if I was low (under 60) to have something sweet or 1/2 c of fruit juice to bring myself back up.  Do you have a monitor at home?  When will you see your OB again if it's already been 5 weeks?  18 lbs in a little over a month seems like a lot to me and I only say that because my doctor flipped when I gained 7 lbs before!  Maybe give them a call, especially since you've been sick but you're still gaining pretty steadily.  They might have some answers for you.  It could be something as simple as water retention too.  GL.

shannm

Try to get a referral from your doc for a nutritionist or dietician if you haven't already.  It was very helpful for me to have her make out a plan based on my glucose readings. And I am sure they will have suggestions for carb alternatives that may help with the nausea.  

How about high protein pretzels as a snack?  There is a Newman's Own version that I really like.  Cheese sticks?  And like PP stated, choose whole wheat carbs and look for those with lower carb values and higher protein content.  Kashi bars are a good option. 

Are they sending you to a perinatal specialist?  Sounds like your OB should be monitoring you more closely.  I would call them about your weight gain.

musicmama10

My OB hasn't been monitoring my weight . . the scale at her office doesn't go high enough.  I am in a program where I see a nurse every few weeks and that's where I found out about the weight gain.  My OB doesn't know yet.

I monitor my own blood sugar levels 6 times a day now.  But the numbers I use are different from all of you are talking about.  I am supposed to stay between 4 and 7.  I am in Canada, so I wonder if that makes a difference -- wondering if most of you are in the US.

 I usually try to have some cheese or pb with my crackers or toast.

What do you ladies know about artificial sweetners.  Prior to being pg, that's about all I ate, then was told to stop when I got pg.  I find ginger ale really good for my tummy, but don't know if I should switch to diet or just stop altogether.

 See a dietician this week through our local diabetes clinic.  But was there early in the pregnancy and didn't find her too helpful.  Wanted me to eat balanced meals -- I couldn't hold anythign down at that point (in fact was in the hospital a few times to get rehydrated) and she just wasn't listening when I told her I couldn't really stomach much of anything.  Found it more frustrating than anything.

ceelee4

I'm 4 weeks into my GD diagnosis so I don't know as much as the other ladies on the boards.  But I can talk about nausea and carbs!!  I was living on carbs until my GTT test.  It was helping me get through the day - even with anit-nausea meds.  I still eat carbs but I've switched a few things.  i.e. Instead of a bagel in the morning I have an English muffin.  At lunch I have whole wheat Weight Watchers bread.  (of course these are paired with cheese or peanut butter).  I've even done ok with a hamburger on a whole wheat bun and a walk after.  Either way, I am definitely more nauseous and that totally sucks.  I know how you feel.  I hope you find something that works for you and fast!