me w/ GD??....I'm not convinced!

LaBellaVida · April 2013

I got diagnosed with GD a week ago. Since being diagnosed I have been doing my 4X a day finger pricks. I have yet to see a dietician to go over the foods I need to avoid, and food to incorporate into my diet. My levels have been spot on!! My fasting levels need to be between 60-95. My first day I tested my fasting level was 101, and since then they have been between 82 and 90. I have to test an hour after eat meal, and my levels need to be between 60-140. On my first day of testing I ate a bowl of cereal and my levels were pretty high, 209, but the rest of the day they were within range! My levels this whole week have been within range, and nothing higher then 140. I decided to eat a bowl of cereal this morning, the same cereal (cheerios) and the same fat free milk I had last week, and my levels were only 123, still well within range.

Last week I ate a few cookies after I ate my lunch and then tested was still in range.

Last night I ate mashed potatoes, and broccoli and my levels were only 92 an hour after I ate! Every meal I eat, doesn't matter what it is, my levels are perfect.

I will still continue to test as I think it's actually good to keep your numbers in check, because I do believe that GD is something to take seriously, I just am not convinced that I have GD.

Maybe I am wrong- but in my mind I think about how I had to fast before my glucose test, then drink nothing but sugar- and have my blood drawn thereafter, I think....of course levels would be higher, you have pure sugar in your system and nothing else, and not only that, isn't it true that a pregnant woman would have higher levels then someone who doesn't have diabetes because of their hormones, and it changes day to day anyway.

This is just something I will have to talk to my Dr. about next week. I would think that having pregnant woman test for GD by checking their levels on a daily basis for maybe 2 weeks would give more of a clear view if they have GD or not, instead of the blood test after a sugar drink. I would think this is a more accurate way of testing, because it shows the changes in levels with what they eat.

Any thoughts on this?

MrsCaseyK · April 2013

Some docs will accept daily levels instead of a glucose drink. Welnessmama has a protocol to do just that. I've also heard if you don't eat a lot of sugar or white carbs the margin of error should be bigger because it is such a shock to your system.

memali26 · April 2013

brandilc84:
isn't it true that a pregnant woman would have higher levels then someone who doesn't have diabetes because of their hormones, and it changes day to day anyway.

Actually, the exact opposite is true. During pregnancy a woman's body natural regulates to lower blood sugars than usual in an effort to keep the baby's blood sugar stable. This is why if you compare Type I/II diabetics blood sugar cut offs to a GD mom's cut offs you will find the GD mom's cut offs are lower.

It's great that your numbers are in range so far. Some women are lucky enough to manage their GD with diet alone, and sometimes with minimal changes. However, GD gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. Just because things are looking great now doesn't mean you won't have higher blood sugar down the road. You will likely find that even if you can be diet controlled you'll have to make changes as you go along.

I know it's hard to accept that there is something not "normal" about your pregnancy. I have had GD twice, and it sucks, and you want to deny it and believe it isn't true. But the fact is that your GTTs came back abnormal, which means that even if it isn't GD yet, it could be and you need to be on top of it.

LaBellaVida · April 2013

MrsCaseyK:
Some docs will accept daily levels instead of a glucose drink. Welnessmama has a protocol to do just that. I've also heard if you don't eat a lot of sugar or white carbs the margin of error should be bigger because it is such a shock to your system.

RIGHT!! that's what I am thinking too! I was slightly overweight when I first got pregnant, and wanted to make sure I didn't gain any "extra unneeded weight" this pregnancy, and wanted to make this pregnancy as healthy as possible. So I changed the way I ate. I went to all whole wheat whole grain foods, cut out caffeine, and really REALLY cut down on sugar. Every so often I would have a piece of chocolate here or there, but nothing like I ate before. I have only gained 5 lbs this whole pregnancy, and I am 32 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Baby is growing right on track too. I also don't "eat for 2" I eat normal size portions, and I keep pretty full- and eat healthy snacks. I get all my fruits and veggies in too. I was devastated when she told me I failed my test! I didn't understand why!! I have been so health conscience this pregnancy, and doing everything right this time around!! I know it's not my fault- and it's all hormones. I even asked my Dr. if I could just track my numbers, instead of doing the glucose test, and she said "no, it won't help me know what's going on, and won' accurately diagnose if you have GD or not."

I think it was such a shock to my body drinking that drink on an empty stomach that my levels were high. I always thought that! It makes sense to me!

maybe I am totally wrong!! Maybe I am still in denial.

But it makes perfect sense that, that sugar just came to be a shock to my system.

LaBellaVida · April 2013

memali26:
brandilc84:
isn't it true that a pregnant woman would have higher levels then someone who doesn't have diabetes because of their hormones, and it changes day to day anyway.
Actually, the exact opposite is true. During pregnancy a woman's body natural regulates to lower blood sugars than usual in an effort to keep the baby's blood sugar stable. This is why if you compare Type I/II diabetics blood sugar cut offs to a GD mom's cut offs you will find the GD mom's cut offs are lower.
It's great that your numbers are in range so far. Some women are lucky enough to manage their GD with diet alone, and sometimes with minimal changes. However, GD gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. Just because things are looking great now doesn't mean you won't have higher blood sugar down the road. You will likely find that even if you can be diet controlled you'll have to make changes as you go along.
I know it's hard to accept that there is something not "normal" about your pregnancy. I have had GD twice, and it sucks, and you want to deny it and believe it isn't true. But the fact is that your GTTs came back abnormal, which means that even if it isn't GD yet, it could be and you need to be on top of it.

Yeah, I did read a post an article on this- that even though numbers are good now, doesn't mean it will always be the case, and I may need to make changes later on if my levels change with what I eat. which I am still totally fine with doing the testing at home- just to be safe, because I do really take GD seriously.

I will see how this all plays out- and talk more with my Dr. about it.

I may be in denial....but right now I am not convinced. LOL.

LaBellaVida · April 2013

tricia560:
brandilc84:
memali26:
brandilc84:
isn't it true that a pregnant woman would have higher levels then someone who doesn't have diabetes because of their hormones, and it changes day to day anyway.
Actually, the exact opposite is true. During pregnancy a woman's body natural regulates to lower blood sugars than usual in an effort to keep the baby's blood sugar stable. This is why if you compare Type I/II diabetics blood sugar cut offs to a GD mom's cut offs you will find the GD mom's cut offs are lower.
It's great that your numbers are in range so far. Some women are lucky enough to manage their GD with diet alone, and sometimes with minimal changes. However, GD gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. Just because things are looking great now doesn't mean you won't have higher blood sugar down the road. You will likely find that even if you can be diet controlled you'll have to make changes as you go along.
I know it's hard to accept that there is something not "normal" about your pregnancy. I have had GD twice, and it sucks, and you want to deny it and believe it isn't true. But the fact is that your GTTs came back abnormal, which means that even if it isn't GD yet, it could be and you need to be on top of it.
Yeah, I did read a post an article on this- that even though numbers are good now, doesn't mean it will always be the case, and I may need to make changes later on if my levels change with what I eat. which I am still totally fine with doing the testing at home- just to be safe, because I do really take GD seriously.
I will see how this all plays out- and talk more with my Dr. about it.
I may be in denial....but right now I am not convinced. LOL.
My numbers were great when I was first diagnosed, with almost no effort from me, except to make the diet changes you had already made for yourself. Then it started to get a little rough and I had to tighten down my portion sizes more or increase my exercise levels more to stay on target. Then, at about week 36, it got easier again (except when I gave in to steak fries last week...yikes!)--which my nurse says is not uncommon when you are able to diet control in the first place.
The good news is that if you're on the cusp, it's easier to control with diet, and you may do that all the way through. If you're going to take it seriously and monitor at home and already have a good diet--does it really matter if you have GD or not? Other than tracking my numbers and sending me for one growth scan at 36 weeks (because I was measuring ahead but not gaining weight), my doctor hasn't treated me differently. I'm doing NSTs, but she says that is because of my age, not my GD.

yeah, I suppose it really doesn't matter if I have GD or not, and I am still getting the great numbers I am getting. I will still continue to test daily. I guess maybe one of the underlying factors is my Dr. did mention induction early- 38 or 39 weeks, which I am just not down with! I want to go into labor on my own- and if I can keep this GD diagnosis controlled and maintain good levels, I don't see the need to induce. Again...just something I will have to talk to my Dr. about as the time gets closer.

mlangblom · April 2013

I'm in the same place you are, and I too find it very frusterating. I had slightly high (+3-6 mg/dl) levels for both my 1-hr and 3-hr tests and am now required to do four blood draws a day. These numbers, in addition to the fact that I wasn't diagnosed until 29 weeks and already had evidence of a small glucose intolerance (10 years of PCOS) makes it feel like my midwives aren't critically thinking about the diagnosis. I also haven't had to change my diet much and actually am having a hard time fiting in as many carbs as my guidelines say I should have!

I find this whole situation frusterating not because I have to adhere to some strict diet, but because of what it means for my baby, me and subsiquent pregnancies. I will see my midwives on Friday and I am hoping that they listen to reason and see the data I have been collecting, because its demonstrating that my body has no problem regulating my blood sugar whatsoever! At the end of the day, however, I doubt I will be heard by my practioners and instead will just be diagnosed because my numbers were off, slightly.

memali26 · April 2013

brandilc84:
tricia560:
brandilc84:
memali26:
brandilc84:
isn't it true that a pregnant woman would have higher levels then someone who doesn't have diabetes because of their hormones, and it changes day to day anyway.
Actually, the exact opposite is true. During pregnancy a woman's body natural regulates to lower blood sugars than usual in an effort to keep the baby's blood sugar stable. This is why if you compare Type I/II diabetics blood sugar cut offs to a GD mom's cut offs you will find the GD mom's cut offs are lower.
It's great that your numbers are in range so far. Some women are lucky enough to manage their GD with diet alone, and sometimes with minimal changes. However, GD gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. Just because things are looking great now doesn't mean you won't have higher blood sugar down the road. You will likely find that even if you can be diet controlled you'll have to make changes as you go along.
I know it's hard to accept that there is something not "normal" about your pregnancy. I have had GD twice, and it sucks, and you want to deny it and believe it isn't true. But the fact is that your GTTs came back abnormal, which means that even if it isn't GD yet, it could be and you need to be on top of it.
Yeah, I did read a post an article on this- that even though numbers are good now, doesn't mean it will always be the case, and I may need to make changes later on if my levels change with what I eat. which I am still totally fine with doing the testing at home- just to be safe, because I do really take GD seriously.
I will see how this all plays out- and talk more with my Dr. about it.
I may be in denial....but right now I am not convinced. LOL.
My numbers were great when I was first diagnosed, with almost no effort from me, except to make the diet changes you had already made for yourself. Then it started to get a little rough and I had to tighten down my portion sizes more or increase my exercise levels more to stay on target. Then, at about week 36, it got easier again (except when I gave in to steak fries last week...yikes!)--which my nurse says is not uncommon when you are able to diet control in the first place.
The good news is that if you're on the cusp, it's easier to control with diet, and you may do that all the way through. If you're going to take it seriously and monitor at home and already have a good diet--does it really matter if you have GD or not? Other than tracking my numbers and sending me for one growth scan at 36 weeks (because I was measuring ahead but not gaining weight), my doctor hasn't treated me differently. I'm doing NSTs, but she says that is because of my age, not my GD.
yeah, I suppose it really doesn't matter if I have GD or not, and I am still getting the great numbers I am getting. I will still continue to test daily. I guess maybe one of the underlying factors is my Dr. did mention induction early- 38 or 39 weeks, which I am just not down with! I want to go into labor on my own- and if I can keep this GD diagnosis controlled and maintain good levels, I don't see the need to induce. Again...just something I will have to talk to my Dr. about as the time gets closer.

Early induction is common with GD, but it's not guaranteed the second you are diagnosed. Any OB worth using will consider it on a case by case basis. I was induced at 39 weeks with both of mine, but I was on insulin and with my second there were other considerations with my GD. Had I been easily diet controlled, I would have been allowed to go to 40 weeks, with extra monitoring. Some women are allowed to go to 41 weeks. That is certainly something to discuss with your doctor and make a decision about based on your specific case. Don't fight the whole diagnosis based on one facet, just make sure you're having good conversations with your dr about it all.

ChristyML · April 2013

I was literally one point from not having GD, but they still diagnosed me with it. Do you know your test numbers? Maybe they were extremely close, but still over? I agree that still taking your blood sugar would be of benefit to you.

ocho2002 · May 2013

I have GD and manage with diet alone. I have made no changes other than I cut out sugar and fruit. I do not count carbs. In 4 weeks, I have had one "bad" number. Otherwisw, I am always "low." When I was diagnosed my AFI was high, since I've cut the sugar and fruit, I'm well within the normal range.

Just because your numbers are good, doesn't mean you don't have it. If you don't have to take meds, who cares? Testing your sugar 4 x a day is no big deal. Consider yourself fortunate that you don't have to take medication and hope that you continue to be able to manage it with diet alone. There are women who kill themselves with diet and medication and still can't control their numbers. Your doctors want to make sure you and your baby are as healthy as you can be. Let them do their job. Its temporary. Stress over something worth stressing over, not this.

PipSqueak0313 · May 2013

I had gd with my last pg. I was high risk from the start due to other factors. In my case, we were hoping I would make it to term, but as it was my ds was born 36w5d. The only thing the gd diagnosis did for me was make me cut out candy and such and have a finger poke 4x daily. It also meant that ds had his blood sugar levels monitored his first day. The day he was born, my water broke at 230 am, I tested, just in case with great numbers.Then I ate a serving of greek yogurt and a banana at 530 am before having dh take me to the hospital. Ds was born at 211 that same afternoon. When they tested his blood sugar levels for the first time immediately after birth his levels were very low. I consented to them giving him formula even though I was planning to breastfeed just because I was concerned that I would not have enough sugars in my body to be able to give him what he needed. The ped told me later that decision kept ds out of NICU because his levels were THAT low at birth.

So a gd diagnosis is not just about mom while pregnant....it does impact the baby both before and shortly after birth.

FWIW, I was diet controlled with no more than 2 slightly high number per week. The dr was even concerned that I was not eating enough to keep me satisfied even though I was eating my normal prepregnancy diet.

Ironically, I am typing this while doing the 2hr gtt at 8 weeks pp to verify the gd has resolved.

PipSqueak0313 · May 2013

I had gd with my last pg. I was high risk from the start due to other factors. In my case, we were hoping I would make it to term, but as it was my ds was born 36w5d. The only thing the gd diagnosis did for me was make me cut out candy and such and have a finger poke 4x daily. It also meant that ds had his blood sugar levels monitored his first day. The day he was born, my water broke at 230 am, I tested, just in case with great numbers.Then I ate a serving of greek yogurt and a banana at 530 am before having dh take me to the hospital. Ds was born at 211 that same afternoon. When they tested his blood sugar levels for the first time immediately after birth his levels were very low. I consented to them giving him formula even though I was planning to breastfeed just because I was concerned that I would not have enough sugars in my body to be able to give him what he needed. The ped told me later that decision kept ds out of NICU because his levels were THAT low at birth.

So a gd diagnosis is not just about mom while pregnant....it does impact the baby both before and shortly after birth.

FWIW, I was diet controlled with no more than 2 slightly high number per week. The dr was even concerned that I was not eating enough to keep me satisfied even though I was eating my normal prepregnancy diet.

Ironically, I am typing this while doing the 2hr gtt at 8 weeks pp to verify the gd has resolved.

Eta. The orange stuff is just as bad today as it was 5 months ago.

Pattern · May 2013

Denial is one stage in the road to acceptance. I went through it...

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