GD check-in 9/15

bowlwoman · September 2014

Since many of us are having the GTT in the next couple of weeks, I wanted to start a thread specifically for GD mamas. You are welcome to also join the high-risk thread if you want to discuss issues with other moms, but feel free to pop in here as well to share recipes, complain about pricking your fingers, or worry about blood glucose levels. Once we start getting people trickling in, I'll add a running list to the first post.

1. How far along are you?

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?

3. How are you feeling in general?

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom?

bowlwoman · September 2014

1. How far along are you?

27w6d

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?

I have my regular OB appointment tomorrow, and my MFM appointment with growth scan on Thursday.

3. How are you feeling in general?

I'm doing ok. Tired, so we'll see how my iron is from my bloodwork last week. I don't remember being this tired with the girls.

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?

My fasting numbers won't stay put, so it's most likely I'll be starting glyburide this week.

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom?

I had GD with both previous pregnancies, so this is well covered territory for me. I developed Type II after my pregnancy with DD2, so even though I've been well controlled the past 6 years, I'm technically a diabetic mom this time around. The only real difference has been that I've been doing the GD diet and blood sugar monitoring since 12 weeks this time around, so I've got 4 months on most of you coming into GD now.

nesenotes · September 2014

Thanks for putting it together!! I hope I'm not in the club but I'll know by tomorrow.

bowlwoman · September 2014

@nesenotes I hope you don't have to join either! GL today!

bowlwoman · September 2014

@roo1582 I got out of the GTT as well since I'm already technically type II. The only silver lining, I guess.

I'll have to bust out my GD friendly recipes from six years ago, if I can find them. I had a really good apple crumble recipe that never spiked my sugars, and it was so easy to throw together. I'm gluten free this time around as well, so I'll have to adapt any recipes I find to make them GF friendly.

erien · September 2014

@bowlwoman Thanks for starting this thread! I never felt I belonged in the high risk group (I have a hard time accepting GD as a pregnancy complication) but feel like an outsider when some ladies post about wfd or their cravings and they're eating food I couldn't dream of eating while pregnant.

1. How far along are you?

27w1d (I was still happily eating potato chips and ice cream at this point in my last pregnancy *sigh*)

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?

Not until next week.

3. How are you feeling in general?

Great! I'm finally "feeling pregnant" as my belly gets in my way and my back stiffens up. But I haven't been slowed down too much by pregnancy yet...well, I do have to walk instead of run so I did have to slow down my exercise routine.

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?

I've been on Metformin for years due to PCOS so I don't know what my numbers would be without it, but with it, my fasting numbers are in the low 70s. As I enter my 3rd trimester I expect all numbers to creep up and I'll have to watch my milk and fruit intake a little closer.

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom?

Second time. Diagnosed at 28 weeks last time and 12 weeks this time.

aksue22 · September 2014

1.26w3d

2. I have a growth ultrasound at MFM on the 24th and a standard OB/Gyn appointment on the 30th. The monthly appointment will now become bi-monthly, I think.

3. I feel totally fine. I really can't complain with this pregnancy (though the 4x-daily finger pricking is starting to get on my last nerve).

4. They are still tweaking my meds. I started Glyburide because my fasting numbers were wonky. Now, my post-meal numbers are starting to go out of whack. I'm sure there will be another med tweak in my future.

GTKY: This is my first (and likely my only) pregnancy.

bowlwoman · September 2014

@erien Thanks for joining! I know what you mean about the high-risk and GD. This time around I've got several high-risk factors, so it's a slightly different kettle of fish. And I'm with you on the food threads around here. There are some I have to just avoid because it makes me want ALL THE COOKIES!

And yes, I was still eating all kinds of food during the past two pregnancies at this point, so having already done this for 4 months is starting to get a bit old. Totally worth it, though, in the long run.

I also have PCOS, so the insulin resistance while pregnant was not a shock to me. I had a bit of a pity party when I was first diagnosed with DD1, but I eventually realized that his is how my body responds to pregnancy. And I just need to get over myself and keep me and the baby healthy. Not that I still don't want ALL THE COOKIES!

My OB took me off metformin in the first trimester, so I've been med-free on that front since 7 weeks. My MFM prefers glyburide to met with GD, so I'm just a good little patient and do what they tell me to do. Both girls were born at healthy weights via induction (7lb 1oz @ 40w2d for DD1and 7lb even @ 38w5d for DD2), so that was a very good thing in terms of me having kept my sugars under control.

bowlwoman · September 2014

@aksue22 Welcome to the thread. I have loved your siggy pic for the past few weeks. It's awesome.

I'm noticing a trend of PCOS moms here...

And while I'm sad you're having to do the med tweaking dance, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one here that'll have to do glyburide. It's a pain, especially when your sugars crash. Be sure to always have some candy available for emergency crashes. I kept a small packet of jelly beans in my purse at all times, and I find that Nerds work really well too for crashes.

aksue22 · September 2014

@bowlwoman Thanks! I'm pretty good at keeping up with the snacking. I think that it's why I've never felt the pregnancy "want all the foods" hunger, lol. Any reason to keep Nerds in my purse, though. Or Swedish Fish...those are my jam!

bowlwoman · September 2014

@aksue22 I need to figure out some good GF snacks to keep with me. It's not so bad this time since I work at home and can rummage around the kitchen, but on-the-go stuff is hard to find GF alternatives. With the girls I went through dozens of Cascadian Farms chocolate chip granola bars with string cheese as my snacks, but since grains aren't working for me this time around, I need to figure something else out.

And I did good with the snacking too, but I did have a crash once or twice while out and about. The Whole Foods bulk jelly beans were a lifesaver!

aksue22 · September 2014

Honestly, Teddy Grahams have been pretty good for me. Also, granola bars, cashews, a good piece of fruit here and there. I'll pick up some peanut M&Ms if I feel like I need something in a pinch.

bowlwoman · September 2014

Graham crackers and milk was my go-to bedtime snack. This gluten-free crapola is cramping my snacking, dammit!

I need to perfect a good GF graham cracker substitute, but then the DDs will eat them all.

hoping4aUNICORN · September 2014

Wow! There are so many of us! Thanks for starting, I'm sure this will be so helpful in the future!! Almost time to get my little guy ready for football so I'll keep this short and sweet

I'm 28weeks one day

No dr. App till next week

Feeling good! Except for the frustration that comes with everyone who knows I have GD giving me input on what I put in my mouth

This is my 2nd pregnancy with GD

aksue22 · September 2014

hoping4aUNICORN said:
Wow! There are so many of us! Thanks for starting, I'm sure this will be so helpful in the future!! Almost time to get my little guy ready for football so I'll keep this short and sweet
I'm 28weeks one day

No dr. App till next week

Feeling good! Except for the frustration that comes with everyone who knows I have GD giving me input on what I put in my mouth

This is my 2nd pregnancy with GD

That's why we didn't tell MIL I have GD. She would be a nightmare about it.

jjaxbie · September 2014

MIL told me a couple weeks ago that she hopes I have GD again this time so that if my sugars get goofy and start PTL she can come and stay with us 4 weeks early again. (obviously the PTL had nothing to do with GD, but whatever)

She meant well - ie get to meet baby early and spend time with us - but seriously who says that?

aksue22 · September 2014

jjaxbie said:
MIL told me a couple weeks ago that she hopes I have GD again this time so that if my sugars get goofy and start PTL she can come and stay with us 4 weeks early again. (obviously the PTL had nothing to do with GD, but whatever)

She meant well - ie get to meet baby early and spend time with us - but seriously who says that?

WTF?

erien · September 2014

@jjaxbie‌ What??! No matter the circumstances it not okay to wish ptl on anyone. Period. You dont have to defend that comment.

jjaxbie · September 2014

i hear ya - super charming right? The silver lining is that PTL was stopped and happened at 35 weeks followed by a couple weeks of modified bed rest to get to the then full term 37 weeks, so nothing terrifying like what some of the ladies on here have had to go through. still bad but the context wasn't micro preemie or anywhere close to that.

still a ridiculous thing to say. funny thing is she's actually one of the sweetest people i know - nothing mean about her - but clearly didn't think that one through...

MH had a good long heart to heart with her about why saying things like that is never a good thing.

BdblZ · September 2014

Sorry to be a post & Run (this is the last thing I can do to procrastinate leaving for class), but I think this weekly thread is a great idea!!

1. How far along are you? 27w1D

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week? Just had my first appt post-diagnosis today, so I met with the nurse & dietician, got my glucometer, and and another growth U/S. Baby looked great, sizing is right where he should be (no 12# baby yet!), and I will be monitoring my blood sugars 4x/day going forward. Bonus was my after-lunch reading was 111 (my target is under 120 - I'm assuming that's the same for everyone?)

3. How are you feeling in general? Overall pretty good. Had a bit of a meltdown at the thought of my ice cream being taken away, but I was told several times today that they have high hopes my numbers will (should) be very managable with diet and exercise, so Fingers crossed. And I don't have to cut out ice cream and other treats completely, just need to account for them (extra bonus, looking at the labels, Snickers Ice Cream bars should only account for 1 carb serving!

)

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake? Not yet, but again, its only day 1

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom? FTM, first issue with blood sugars

Again Post & Run, but i'll check back again later this evening when I get home!

bowlwoman · September 2014

@bluebird00 We had the Lyme discussion earlier this year, but I'm sorry you're still dealing with all the complications. My mom had a PICC line that got infected, so I really sympathize with you. I would LOVE to swap lowcarb gluten-free recipes for you. I foresee a lot of almond and coconut flour in our future.

@BdblZ Welcome! Yes, my blood sugar limit after meals is 120, my fasting is 95. I hope you can control with just diet and exercise. Part of the blood sugar testing is figuring out what your body can tolerate, so I hope you can still eat some fun foods.

My blood sugars spike with rice (and processed corn), so with me being gluten-free, it's going to be difficult to not eat only potatoes this pregnancy.

@jjaxbie Wow, talk about open mouth, insert foot. I hope your MIL realizes why that wasn't the best thing to say. And yes, hope the baby cooks until well done this time.

@hoping4aunicorn Isn't is so nice to know that everybody cares, though? /sarcasm DH is really good about helping to keep me on track but knowing when to let up and just let me eat something iffy. My best friend, though, loves to put the whammy on me. She was diabetic during her pregnancy and was on an insulin pump, so I think she doesn't realize that my blood sugars aren't hitting the 200s. At some point it's just let it go in one ear and out the other. At least she's concerned for me and baby.

bowlwoman · September 2014

Ugh, my fasting sugars are still in the 98-105 range. Which means meds. I'm not looking forward to my MFM appointment on Thursday, even though we all knew this was coming.

kristinerenee · September 2014

1. How far along are you?
27 weeks today!

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week?
No appointments this week but my high risk doctor just increased my insulin intake. My fasting levels are all over the place all of a sudden.

3. How are you feeling in general?
I am feeling good minus the lower back pain and extreme sensitivity. I cried at my desk 6 times last Friday...really just ridiculous. Haha

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake?
Fasting numbers have increased in the last week or so - ranging from 89-129! Not sure what is going on but my insulin was just increased so that should help!

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom?
This is my first time. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes March 2013. I was able to manage it by taking metformin but as soon as I became pregnant they started me on a 24hr insulin- levemir. Around 18 weeks I started taking novolog before meals.

nopegoat · September 2014

Hi everyone. Just got the dreaded call that I failed my 3hr. So I will be hanging with you lovely ladies if you will have me.

1. How far along are you? 26wks 3d

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week? I just got the call today and have my first appointment to go over everything this Thursday. I am so nervous lol.

3. How are you feeling in general? Like poo lol, but I don't think its GD related. I also found out I am anemic so I am hoping that an iron supplement will make me feel a little more normal.

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake? Not yet. Give me a few more days and we will see.

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom? 3rd kiddo and first experience with GD. I am just ready for my appointment on Thursday so I know what to expect a little better.

aksue22 · September 2014

bowlwoman said:

Ugh, my fasting sugars are still in the 98-105 range. Which means meds. I'm not looking forward to my MFM appointment on Thursday, even though we all knew this was coming.

My fasting numbers were doing good until they futzed with my meds to make my post-dinner numbers drop. It's starting to frustrate me. :-w

erien · September 2014

Welcome, @kdm06c‌ ! I remember the feeling of waiting for that first appointment. They made the diagnosis sound so life-changing and then I had to wait 10 days to see a dietician. By the time my first appointment rolled around I had done so much googling and revised my diet already that I didn't learn anything new from the nurse. I think we(this group) will be a great resource for one another.

Eta: clarification

bowlwoman · September 2014

@kdm06c Welcome to the thread. I remember too the waiting game before the first appointment. I had a friend who had been diagnosed a couple of months head of me, so she gave me the rundown on what to expect and a copy of the diet (she and I went to the same perinatal group). It definitely helps to have the support of people in the know the first few weeks.

bowlwoman · September 2014

aksue22 said:

bowlwoman said:

Ugh, my fasting sugars are still in the 98-105 range. Which means meds. I'm not looking forward to my MFM appointment on Thursday, even though we all knew this was coming.

My fasting numbers were doing good until they futzed with my meds to make my post-dinner numbers drop. It's starting to frustrate me. :-w

All my numbers were fine until 24/25 weeks. Then the fasting numbers started creeping up, and now they're all in the too-high range. Which, I'm right at 28 weeks today, and I had this same problem with DD2, so not unexpected.

Which now, as I'm Monday morning quarterbacking, makes me wonder if I really was in danger from type II during my second trimester, since all my problems are starting in the third trimester again (the typical GD time). OH well, an extra 4 months of eating healthy and monitoring didn't hurt anything, except my poor fingers from all the extra testing.

bowlwoman · September 2014

@kristinerenee Welcome to the thread too. Now we can be GD AND high-risk labor buddies.

My best friend had insulin her entire pregnancy as well, with a pump. I haven't had to do insulin yet, since I was able to handle all my numbers with just glyburide. I have no idea how this pregnancy will turn out, though, so it's nice to have someone here that has experience with insulin and not just oral meds.

nopegoat · September 2014

Thanks for the welcome ladies!

I know a lot of us are just starting to deal with it, but for those GD veterans, may I ask how it effected you appointment wise? Like do you have a ton more appointments? I guess it probably depends on severity and being able to control your numbers right?

BdblZ · September 2014

kdm06c said:

Thanks for the welcome ladies! I know a lot of us are just starting to deal with it, but for those GD veterans, may I ask how it effected you appointment wise? Like do you have a ton more appointments? I guess it probably depends on severity and being able to control your numbers right?

I am by no means a veteran, but they told me yesterday to expect weekly f/u's with Maternal Fetal Medicine (who is monitoring the GD) once a week starting at 34 weeks for fetal non-stress-testing, in addition to my regular follow-ups with my OB. If I get started on Meds, I will have twice weekly non-stress tests, once w/ MFM, then the other at my OB's office.

I'm not looking forward to that as my manager at work is already giving me crap about needing off. As a side note - does anyone know if they can force you to take time against your FMLA if you still have enough PTO to cover any time you need? This was the story my manager was trying to spin to me, and our HR department is so disorganized i'm afraid to call them and ask, because I know I probably won't get a straight answer.....

erien · September 2014

I had one extra OB appt at 35 weeks and 3 dietician appointments. So not a lot of extra appts, but they will last longer if they do a bpp(biophysical profile) or nst weekly.

erien · September 2014

@BdblZ‌ I use PTO for appointments if needed. Unless your handbook says otherwise, you can use you PTO however you'd like. Although they may have a minimum you can take at once. For me it used to be 4 hours blocks.

bowlwoman · September 2014

BdblZ said:

kdm06c said:

Thanks for the welcome ladies! I know a lot of us are just starting to deal with it, but for those GD veterans, may I ask how it effected you appointment wise? Like do you have a ton more appointments? I guess it probably depends on severity and being able to control your numbers right?

I am by no means a veteran, but they told me yesterday to expect weekly f/u's with Maternal Fetal Medicine (who is monitoring the GD) once a week starting at 34 weeks for fetal non-stress-testing, in addition to my regular follow-ups with my OB. If I get started on Meds, I will have twice weekly non-stress tests, once w/ MFM, then the other at my OB's office.

I'm not looking forward to that as my manager at work is already giving me crap about needing off. As a side note - does anyone know if they can force you to take time against your FMLA if you still have enough PTO to cover any time you need? This was the story my manager was trying to spin to me, and our HR department is so disorganized i'm afraid to call them and ask, because I know I probably won't get a straight answer.....

My OB office doesn't do any special monitoring; it's all done through the MFM office. My MFM office for women not on meds is once a month for growth scans, and then 2-4 weeks for diabetes management. If you have to go on meds, however, then it becomes once a week for diabetes management, nonstress tests, and biophysical profiles (growth scans).

Here's a pamphlet from the Dept of Labor outlining FMLA leave:

https://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.pdf

It looks like she can require you to file FMLA for the time off for appointments, but you should also be able to use PTO to cover the time gone so you don't have to be gone without pay, though. It's kinda crappy, IMO, that your manager is doing this, since PTO should be enough to cover a doctor appointment or two during the week.

I changed managers about a year ago, and she is great. However, if I were still reporting to my old manager, I would be having some of these same issues in terms of being ragged on about time off for doctor's appointments and stuff. I probably would have quit by now, honestly, he was that bad.

BdblZ · September 2014

It's kinda crappy, IMO, that your manager is doing this, since PTO should be enough to cover a doctor appointment or two during the week.

Thanks for the info - its just another example of her stellar management style /sarcasm

Ideally I won't be returning to work after maternity leave, so it won't be the biggest deal if I do have to use some of my 12 weeks beforehand. Its just the principle behind it....

bowlwoman · September 2014

BdblZ said:

It's kinda crappy, IMO, that your manager is doing this, since PTO should be enough to cover a doctor appointment or two during the week.

Thanks for the info - its just another example of her stellar management style /sarcasm Ideally I won't be returning to work after maternity leave, so it won't be the biggest deal if I do have to use some of my 12 weeks beforehand. Its just the principle behind it....

I fully agree that it's the principle. Although, it is nice to be able to turn the tables on a manager complaining about it and just tell them that you'll file FMLA on them if they don't approve time off...DH almost had to do this with his manager a few years ago.

Cheekers2010 · September 2014

1. How far along are you? 27 weeks 2 days

2. Anything new on the medical front (doctor appointments, nonstress tests, ultrasounds) this week? Not much. I have an appt with my endo tomorrow. Next week I have a growth u/s and follow up fetal heart echo for baby girl.

3. How are you feeling in general? Pretty good. Sore and awkward and so so tired, but other than that I can't complain. I hate having to be so careful with what I eat and I get super bummed when I look at any threads on here having to do with What are you craving? All the carbs, OMG. Yeah....I'm bitter. Oh well.

4. Any issues with your numbers, meds, or food intake? Well, I've reached the stage where I am having to adjust my insulin on a weekly basis. The endo warned me I would get there and here I am. It bums me out, but the main thing is that I've managed to keep my A1C really great and baby girl is super healthy. That's all that matters in the end.

GTKY: Is this your first bout with GD, or are you a veteran GD mom?

I am sadly a veteran. I developed GD with my first pregnancy. And then, about 7 months after my son was born I became very very ill with an autoimmune disease (triggered by his pregnancy and birth according to my dr). I had to go on heavy dose of steroids to combat the disease and after about a year, the steroids pushed me into Type II diabetetes. Fun fun...Nothing like being really ill already and then having stinking diabetes on top of it. The good news is that I am well controlled with just oral meds when I'm not pregnant. Unfortunately, when I am pregnant, my body goes haywire and I've had to be on insulin from the get go. I'm all debbie downer today because it's just one of those days, but really I'm super grateful to be pregnant again and that I've been able to stay healthy due to modern medicine.

bowlwoman · September 2014

@Cheekers2010 Yeah, developing Type II after pregnancy sucks. I was GD with both girls, then developed Type II about 18 months after delivering DD2. And yes, modern medicine is wonderful for us to not be sicker and to delivery healthier babies.

Cheekers2010 · September 2014

bowlwoman said:

@Cheekers2010 Yeah, developing Type II after pregnancy sucks. I was GD with both girls, then developed Type II about 18 months after delivering DD2. And yes, modern medicine is wonderful for us to not be sicker and to delivery healthier babies.

It really does bite especially when I've worked so hard all my adult life to avoid it (my dad was diabetic and it killed him). But, I've come to terms and deal with it as best I can.

bowlwoman · September 2014

Cheekers2010 said:

bowlwoman said:

@Cheekers2010 Yeah, developing Type II after pregnancy sucks. I was GD with both girls, then developed Type II about 18 months after delivering DD2. And yes, modern medicine is wonderful for us to not be sicker and to delivery healthier babies.

It really does bite especially when I've worked so hard all my adult life to avoid it (my dad was diabetic and it killed him). But, I've come to terms and deal with it as best I can.

I am a doppleganger for my great-grandmother (dad's dad's mom), and she was an uncontrolled diabetic who had her first heart attack at 42. My grandpa (her son) was type II who was so uncontrolled his pancreas shut down entirely and he had HIS first heart attack at 42. I just turned 38. There ain't no way in HELL I'm going to have a heart attack in four years.

My mom and dad have been doing paleo/Atkins/low carb for the past 2-3 years. My dad dropped 60 pounds and my mom 70. My dad is thinner now than he was ever during my childhood/young adulthood, and all of his labs and bloodwork have gone from too high (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc) to normal. My lab values are very much like his used to be, so I'm just going to have to suck it up and do the same diet. It worked for them, so I'm fairly confident I'd see similar results. Doesn't mean I still don't want ALL THE COOKIES!

ETA: math is hard. 42-38 is 4, NOT 6.

Cheekers2010 · September 2014

Ha ha! I want ALL THE COOKIES, too, @bowlwoman.

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