New & "Pre GD" at 8 weeks
Jaytee501
member
Hi Ladies,
Well, my 1 hr glucose tolerance did not go well; I knew there was a possibility it would not.
About me: I'll be 38 in January, pregnant with our first child, due in early June.
I was glad the doctor was proactive & because I'd had sligthly elevated fasting sugar on two occasions in the past few years (as revealed during routine bloodwork/physical exams with internist) ordered the glucose test early in the pregnancy.
I will go to a Diabetes Education class on Thursday to learn to test my blood (please tell me it's not as awful as I imagine, that it's just a little prick...albeit several times a day?), get diet specifics, etc. I have been not-too-loosely following a sample GD diet since I found out I was pregnant.
I know this can be managed, I know my anxieties are not helpful to me/the pregnancy! I guess I'm unashamedly seeking some reassuring words :-/ Thanks for any tips, suggestions, shared experiences!
Jamie.
Re: New & "Pre GD" at 8 weeks
Hi Jamie:
Welcome. I only got diagnosed a month ago, so I'm not exactly a veteran, but it's really not all that bad. You get used to the finger sticks really quickly. I really like the OneTouch UltraSoft lancets and lancing pen because I like to be able to adjust the depth of the finger pricks. I was scared at first to take my readings four times a day, but now the worst I can say about them is that they are annoying.
Diet alone improved my numbers, but ultimately I needed insulin. I was really scared about that too, but most of the time I can't even feel the needle going in. Again, it's more annoying than anything else.
Best of luck with watching your numbers!
Thank you for the reply. I should have mentioned that the doctor is having me start Glyburide tablets so no insulin for now but we'll see how the numbers go!
Thank you for the recommendation, too, of the OneTouch!
"5.01.09"
Sorry you have to deal with this so early on :-( but the good news is that it is really not that bad. I was really surprised how little the finger pricks hurt (I need to test 7x a day) and the insulin injections hurt less than the finger pricks. I've found the diet easy to follow and haven't felt deprived at all. It's definitely a pain and an inconvenience but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
Good luck!
I honestly think I've posted twice on here, mostly lurked though. As for the finger pricking it really isn't bad, as pp said it's just annoying. Also I'm annoyed because they just gave me the new Freestyle Lite strips that are horrible, they suck up tons of blood and don't register I end up pricking my finger 2-4 times. But the pricking part is not bad at all. I have to do it because I came into this pre diabetic having to prick my finger and taking Metformin for the last 1.5 years.
The thing is, I have never really followed a diet for it though. See my PCP diagnosed me and never really lead me in the direction of a good diet, didn't send me to a specialist, nothing....so I'm also chiming in here to ask you ladies if there is a diet you follow and if so is there a place to access it online. I am supposed to have an appointment with the high risk Dr. when they call, but until then I'm trying to get my diet straight.
TIA ladies and to OP, I wouldn't worry about it at all after the first few times you will feel like a veteran at it!
That's crazy that they didn't give you a diet to follow. Here's a link to the preliminary diet my MFM specialist gave me to follow before my first appointment, which should give you an idea:
https://sanjose.obstetrix.com/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=15&action=detail&ref=22
To the OP, the finger pricking really isn't that bad once you get the hang of it. I won't lie, though -- there was an adjustment period. The first night I had to test, I ended up a sobbing mess after pricking multiple fingers and still not getting enough blood to test. It just takes patience... and honestly, it only took me a day or two before I got it right on the first time almost every time. Just wanted you to know that even if you suck at it at first, it does get better...
You know I thought it was a little crazy as well. It was also odd because my mom sees the same PCP and when she was told she was borderline, borderline diabetic (I guess she was close to being borderline, I don't know). She sat her up with a diabetes class and everything. Myself on the other hand she didn't give me a diet, just said to stay away from to much sugar and fried foods (well duh of course). Needless to say I'm switching Dr.'s. Thank you so much for the link though I will for sure check that out until at least I can get in with the high risk Dr. at the hospital which I'm assuming they will tell me what to do at that point. Does everyone not get referred to an Endo?
Also, in regards to what you said about your first time. I can so relate, the first time I tried, I cried for 30 minutes not being able to push that button to prick my finger. I was sweating, crying, everything just to realize it wasn't that bad after all. LOL!!
I'm lurking over here, but I got diagnosed with GD at around 25 weeks, so I've been doing this for 3 months now...
I don't mind pricking my finger at all- most of the lancets are adjustable, and it's not really annoying. Just do the sides of your finger, not the middle, because that does hurt.
In all honesty, the diet isn't too bad at all. Since I was diagnosed, I've gained 3 lbs, then lost 2 of those (which makes my DR happy since I was heavier to begin with), so it really does help, too. Plus, at the recommendation of my doctor, I was walking a LOT (right up till a few weeks ago when the baby dropped and made walking close to impossible), which really helps to maintain low BS.
One thing to remember is just watch your carbs, and make sure to eat lots of protein. I went to a diabetic counselor and a nutritionist, and they gave me all sorts of helpful booklets and charts about how many carbs are in what foods, and after a few weeks, I barely needed to consult the info anymore.
I think the hardest part of the day is breakfast. If you like eggs, you are GOOD TO GO, but if you don't, you will find a challenge in what works for your BS in the morning and what doesn't. Everyone is different, but I like frozen hashbrown patties with oodles of melted cheese on them, and that seems to work well with my numbers.
Good luck, and while it seems kind of frustrating and difficult in the beginning, it will get a lot easier.
To give you some encouragement, I was tested early because of a family history of large babies, and I was slightly overweight. I took the 1 hour at 10 weeks, and the 3 hour at 12. I received by official diagnosis of GD right after the 12 week mark. It pretty much sucked sticking to the diet for 6 months. But I learned what things I could eat a little more of and be ok (like pizza). And I came out of it with a healthy baby girl, weighing 8 lbs 1 oz at birth. I had a c/s and my OB said had she been vaginal and had the fluid pushed out of her that way, she would have been more like 7.5lbs, so very average. She has no problems with her sugars, and neither do I.
There are some bright sides, at my 2 week follow up appointment I weighed 20 lbs less than I did when I got pregnant. In all I only gained 2 lbs above my pp weight.
Hello!
No worries, it is not that bad at all. It takes a little getting used to, but you will be a pro by the end! Luckily they caught it early- you are better off. Hang in there!
Thank you to all the ladies who replied
It's Friday evening now; first full day of testing & following a specific diet. I really liked the dietician at the class I attended & feel more confident now that I'll be able to manage this!
Day 1 down; SO many more to go...Im only 8 weeks pregnant.
I appreciate the encouragement.
"5.01.09"