GD + ST+Ms: Any advice/experiences?

zonagirlie · December 2012

So I tested positive in the two hour test. According to the girl from my OB who called "You failed on multiple levels and we need you to be seen as soon as possible." So I have to go see a dietician and a diabetes specialist this week. I just cried for a half hour after I found out. I really wish my husband were here with me. He would know what to say to calm me down and make me not feel like shiiit.

So for those of you who tested positive and had to deal with the sugar testing and diet and all that, what can you tell me? I don't think I've had any symptoms, at least none that I recognize from my dad and aunt having diabetes and working with special needs kids who have it. I'm not sure how it effects pregnancy other than "can cause big babies" which makes sense since Charlie is already 74th percentile.

I'd love to hear personal experiences with GD rather than just get info from nutritionists who'll lecture me and may have never had it or been pregnant.

MrsCarroll.6-10-07 · December 2012

I don't think they will "lecture" you at all, they will help you learn how to eat properly to control your GD. This happens to people of all sizes and won't be a lecture on how you've been eating, but how you should start eating and exercising to control it to take care of you and your baby.

Definitely isn't anything to be totally heart broken over from what I've heard. It sucks, but it has gotten so much easier to eat properly than it used to be. Good luck.

AliceMM · December 2012

Hi there! I don't have it with this pregnancy but I had it with my last.

I was also pretty scared and upset when I first heard that I failed, but really it wasn't bad at all. The nutritionist gave me some good meal ideas and really educated me about carbs and protein and how it affects your sugar. I had no symptoms- was in great physical shape- and at first was frustrated that I had to do this when I felt like I didn't "need" it.

What you will see when you start testing is that some carbs affect you more than others. I could eat bread, but any white rice did spike my blood sugar. Once you see- wow, yes that does make my blood sugar pretty high- it hits home.

For me I was lucky, with following the plan I was able to maintain my sugars and didn't need insulin. My baby measured on track- they guessed he would be 8.5 pounds but came out at 7.2.

The silver lining of the diet was that I only gained 20 pounds total with my son and really bounced back quickly. It also got me into good eating habits in general which I appreciate. I am a huge baby about needles and by the end I was an expert at checking my sugars and maintaining my numbers in my little notebook I carried around.

It got to be that I would have been annoyed had I had it again, but not scared or really upset. I happened to pass this pregnancy and for the hell of it check my sugars once in a while just to see and everything is fine.

Really of all the pregnancy complications you could have its not a bad one- you have control over it and its not the end of the world.

Hang in there!

zonagirlie · December 2012

My problem is that I already do eat well. I'm nearly 100% vegetarian and I eat a lot of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood. And I don't eat out a ton, if I do, I always pick a healthy alternative, get the apples not fries, drink 100-120 oz water daily when possible, and drink plain soymilk, rarely drink soda, lots of juice and tea, maybe one cup of coffee a day. I've gained only 20 lbs in 8 mos. I've worked so hard to do everything right and avoid all the potentially bad stuff/ eat and drink the right things. I think I'm already effing healthy and I'm just pissed at genetics and the circumstances I find myself in when I know I didn't do anything wrong. I'm alone, miserable, and now I have this, Strep B, sciatica, and I'm just simply freaking pissed off. I miss my husband and I'm effing pissed.

Sorry for the rant. I've been sitting here stewing for hours alone and I'm hoping it will be out of my system before I meet the dietician tomorrow and the diabetes specialist on Wednesday. I'd hate to bawl my eyes out to strangers... again.

AliceMM · December 2012

Yeah it really is just bad luck- its not a reflection on how you eat. I have two other friends who had GD and both are tiny, healthy people. You just never know.

The good news is once you start experimenting- eating certain foods and testing- if you get fine results then you can keep eating them. So you may not have to change much at all if you already eat a low carb low sugar diet- even better! So it sounds like you might be better off than most in that respect.

I'm sorry you are going through a tough time- I know how it is to have that straw that breaks your back. We all have our battles- I'm battling high blood pressure (possible pre-e), have a crazy active toddler, am working part time, and have a husband recovering from achilles surgery, which basically gives me an extra child to take care of.

I know its hard but try and focus on all the good you have in your life- you will not be pregnant forever and all the pregnancy related issues will be gone. Aside from the pregnancy issues (which affect you) it sounds like the baby is doing well and that really is all that matters. Hope you feel better!

zonagirlie · December 2012

Thank you Alicia. I am now tantrumed out and trying to focus on Charlie. He's what matters. If I have to eat oatmeal and beets for the next seven weeks, I'll do it. I just wish my husband were here with me.

I'm sorry you're going through so much. Sounds like you could use a nap! Doesn't that sound nice?

xpoetic_angelx · December 2012

I have GD as well. I was diagnosed about a few weeks ago. (I'm currently 32 weeks) I noticed you said you were a vegetarian and are eating healthy- which is great! But, when I went to my diabetes class, they said that fruits and fruit juices are VERY high in sugar- and can spike your blood sugar. They say stay away from fruit juices altogether and only eat fruit mid day and not during breakfast or at night. The other really important thing I learned is that whenever you eat a carb, pair it with a protein-which may be a little harder for you to do since you are vegetarian. Even though beans have protein and fiber, they count mainly as a carb. Just do a little research on what counts as a carb and what isn't.

As far as the finger pricks go, it's not that bad. I think my husband is more freaked out over it than I am. Yes, it's a pain in the butt, but only a few weeks of it and you will be fine!

ilenegrace · December 2012

Ya it can be tough news to swallow. I cried for 3 weeks after being diagnosed the first time with DS. I'm the only person in my entire family to get GD. Seemed unfair. Like the PP's stated it has very little to do with how healthy you are or eat. It has to do with how your placenta processes glucose. Its more hormonal than anything. The high risk board can be a good place for support and to get more info. Also there are a few GD mama's on the board that are also vegetarian and can give you tips on meal ideas. It can make it alittle harder just because you need to make sure you are getting an adequate amount of protein/ always eating protein with your carbs. I definitely think you need to see a nutritionist. Oatmeal is almost always a no no so please don't go on an oatmeal diet. I would also avoid fruit. Some berries are ok. Apples not so much for everyone. Good luck!

MBush4 · December 2012

I've been on it for a week. So far LO is measuring at the right size for his gestational age. The big thing is just making sure you stick with you diet and try to exercise after every meal because that will help keep your sugars in check. I appreciate it because it gives me an excuse to get out of the office after lunch.

It's been tricky getting things within the ranges they're supposed to be, but the RD has been incredibly helpful in helping me figure things out. Don't worry, they won't lecture as much as make sure you understand things so you are armed with the best knowledge possible.

Good luck! It's been surprisingly easy and this week has been a bad one for a carb lover- both my anniversary and my birthday! But it's been doable.

sthomas1222 · December 2012

I was just in your shoes a few weeks ago. The first week was the hardest b/c I hadn't seen the dietician, didn't know what my levels should be, what I should be eating, or anything but was testing 4x/day. There was a lot of crying, especially by the end of the day and being soooo hungry all the time. After seeing the dietician, who definitely didin't lecture me, I felt much better and had some resources and meal plans to help me. It's been about 3 weeks now and while my numbers aren't perfect 100% of the time my OB is positive at each visit and says I'm doing well. We've had to start an oral medication (Glyburide) but it's helping me control my numbers and hopefully keep me from having a big baby as we're still planning and hoping for a natural childbirth. I would say the first 2 weeks are the hardest. After you see the dietician you will understand more about what's expected of you diet-wise and that there are lots of choices and it's truly not a carb-free, sugar-free diet. It's about learning your limits. I know for breakfast I'm allowed 30-45g of carbs but need to keep it closer to the 30g. The rest of my meals I'm allowed up to 60g and can typically handle that. I found that Coke Zero was tolerable to me, a person who absolutely hates diet soda. I've learned that sometimes it's ok to have the 3 mini-cookies that are 15g of carbs as a snack if that's what I'm craving instead of the yogurt or fruit but not to do it for every snack, every day. Some days I still get sad and frustrated, 9 weeks just seems like forever. But then my hubby's voice pops into my head and reminds me I am strong and control will help us achieve the natural childbirth we both want and to just take it one day at a time. I found it especially helpful when checking my sugars to write down my carb counts with it. (ex. 1 cup of milk - 12g, tacos - 19g, 1/2 bagel - 20g, etc...). That way I can see correlations between high levels and what I was eating. I discovered that even if I am well below my allowed breakfast carbs I can't tolerate milk that early. You'll learn, you'll cry at high #s and what feels like nothing to eat, and then you'll come out the other side cheering when you finally get it! I was the happiest girl ever the other night when I went to Outback and I ordered ribs and asparagus as my meal. Then I looked down and realized the only thing with carbs was the sauce and it was nowhere near the 45-60g allowed. So I shared a small sundae with a friend. My sugar was absolutely fine afterwards. I'm still smiling big at that success!

Want a personalized experience?

GD + ST+Ms: Any advice/experiences?

Re: GD + ST+Ms: Any advice/experiences?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards