What to expect after failed 3-hour glucose test

dsimmons1107 · May 2012

Hey,

I have been lurking here for awhile b/c of a risk of blood clots, but now I have another reason to me on this board. I failed my 3 hour-glucose test and while I am sad/disappointed about it, I know that these things just happen. I am not the best eater, but I have been eating much better since I got pregnant, I am not overweight, 28 years old, and have gained 20 lbs (could be better, could be worse:p). Anyway, this is where I am at and now am waiting an appointment with a diabetic counselor. I was wondering if anyone could at least give me a heads up of what to expect. Will this be a complete diet change, will I need to test myself 5 times a day, will they put me on insulin right away, things like that. I know there is alot of advice on this board, so please just help me get prepared for these last 15 weeks. Thanks in advance!

CGoldman96 · May 2012

Glad you posted this! I, too, failed the 3 hr this morning and would like some insight.

ria11 · May 2012

They will usually try to control your GD with diet at first, before meds. You will have to check your sugar 4x a day, first thing in the morning and 2hrs after your meals. The big thing to look at in your diet is carbs, they break down into sugar. Fresh fruit also has natural sugar so try to limit that. Don't feel guilty if you have to go on meds, some of us are just genetically lucky enough to deal with this. The counselor will give you lots of ideas for meal plans and snack ideas. Mine told me to eat smaller meals more often to help control my sugars. They usually give you a meter as well. One down side is the farther along you get a little harder it is to control your sugar. Good luck girls.

daisy080187 · May 2012

When I failed mine...I cried at the doctors office...completely devastated...but when I went to see my diabetic nurse & take the "gestational diabetes class" all it was they taught you about portions & how much of what you can eat... & how to use your machine... cause I did ask the nurse (before the class) if I'd be eating rabbit food thru the rest of my pregnancy & she laughed & said no...& she's right... mainly all I did was cut my portions in half (which needed to be done anyways) & you eat a lot more... 6 times a day... just smaller meals & the meals your full (I never go hungry) but your not "unbotton my pants cause I'm absolutely stuffed" full either.. (which nobody needs to be that full anyways) & you just watch how much you eat on certain foods.. like juice... sweets & milk... but they will explain what needs to be your serving when do you have it... its really not nearly as bad as I imagined it would be & after a few weeks you'll learn what your body can get away with & what you cant!

JulyMomma2U2 · May 2012

I'm the same, pretty much, as the PP's have mentioned.. I failed ~3 weeks ago and attended the class.. they basically went over all the things you can and can't eat.. for me, I've found it to be a pretty significant adjustment in my diet.. my body can not tolerate pasta, breads, rice, potatoes, etc. Even if I get the "carb friendly" stuff, I am still struggling to keep my numbers where they need to be (specifically, my fasting).. anyway, it's a work in progress -- I wouldn't say it's a walk in the park, but it's certainly worth the frustration knowing you're helping your own body and your LO. Also -- at my class -- the NP pretty much said to give up fresh fruit.. unless you planned on having "half" a banana or apple for a snack.. I've not found fruits to be *that* crippling to my sugars.. I eat a banana every morning for my morning snack, and my afternoon snack I do a medley of blueberries, blackberries and strawberries mixed with plain greek yogurt..

I agree with PP about the biggest annoyance is the inconvenience to PLAN your meals.. SO tough! Especially if you work full time and relied at all on take out!! We used to go out for dinner 1x/week and order take out 1x/week.. now, if we go out, we go to the diner so I can get eggs.. take out is non-existent.. other than saladworks.

Some things that I found I can have.. meatballs with a bit of tomato sauce and some parm cheese.. I often do the turkey kind, but I've looked up carb counts in beef, and they seem okay, too.. taco salad.. I'll do taco beef, with the seasoning over a bed of lettuce, tomato, cheese and some salsa.. sometimes I'll crush up a shell to put in there for crunch.. eggs are fine, but I often need something else to have with them.. and, for me, I have to watch because if I have toast or make a potato hash that spikes me too close for comfort!

The last thing I'll say.. the TIME in which I eat tends to be crucial! If I'm eating something that's more carb heavy.. the earlier I do it, the better! I often don't eat dinner until 6:30-7:30 at night, just because that's condusive with my work schedule, and lots of times my after dinner readings are very close to my limit (I usually am around 110-117, and I need to be under 120).. but if I've eaten dinner earlier, say 5:30, my readings can be as low as 85 when I've eaten the same thing!!

Anyway.. best of luck with things!! Keep posting if you have more questions or need more support!! Other PPs seem to have adjusted fine, but I know I've had a heck of a time so far!!

dsimmons1107 · May 2012

Thanks everyone for the thoughts. I am just so much better with stuff once I feel more prepared. Thanks again!

ghores13 · October 2013

i feel like im starving on this diet and Does anyone know how to get your Fasting levels down? i keep waking up with 103/104.

HopingforChange · November 2013

I just wanted to chime in and say that the initial adjustment to the GD diet can be hard. For me, I went from eating four Oreos a day and drinking a coke a day to pretty much no refined sugars. That is hard on your body; sugar is a drug. But, it gets better. Be kind to yourself. If you mess up or get frustrated, it is okay. You just need to do your absolute best. You will get the occasional high reading, but that is normal.

Anyway, testing... I was testing four times daily but my numbers are thankfully good, so I now test four times every other day. I was also losing unacceptable amounts of weight. I was 118 when I got pregnant and 126.5 when I got diagnosed. I'm now at 123 or so, I think. I am 34 weeks. Losing some weight on the GD diet is normal, but too much is bad news. I had to go back and have my carb counts upped. We are now seeing what this does to my sugars. All that to say this: watch your sugars and your weight and know that adjustments are part of the process. Be your own advocate.

Try to find foods you love that you don't have to carb count. I actually really like cheesy broccoli, and it's virtually carb free. Same thing with Whole Foods' applewood smoked cheddar popcorn (omg!), and you get two whole cups for one carb! It's nice to have foods you can just eat without worrying about it.

GL! You'll be looking back in a few weeks with all this GD stuff figured out.

kubs_24 · November 2013

I was diagnosed at 28 weeks during my first pregnancy. No family history of diabetes but it was 35 and overweight with my first pregnancy. I was diet controlled from 28-36 weeks then insulin from 36-39 weeks until I delivered a 7 lb 11 oz baby boy. I was very proud that I only gained 5 lbs with the pregnancy. After struggling with weight my entire life...I finally found motivation to eat healthy (for my child). I cried when I failed my 3 hour test but it was honesty the biggest wake up call for me to eat healthy (and btw....I really had only gained a couple pounds at 28 weeks so I really didn't think I was eating that poorly to begin with)

Athena0303 · November 2013

I notice my fasting numbers are better when I eat a snack at night that doesn't have too much sugar (almond butter with celery) and I take my blood sugar after AT LEAST 8 hours of sleep, but not more than 11 hours since the snack.

Everyone is different, but I can't eat much fruit or bread of any sort. I eat a few rice crackers each day and focus on green vegetables, a little squash, and lots and lots of good proteins (chicken, grass fed beef, tuna, and nuts).

White potatoes are the WORST for my blood sugar - unbelievably bad. Same amount of carbs of white potato as a high fiber item will cause my blood sugar to go 40-60 points over where it needs to be.

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