November 2015 Moms

Gestational Diabetes Treatment

edited July 2015 in November 2015 Moms
hey ladies who here has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes? I took my 3 hour test and 2 out of the 3 came back abnormal so I now have to see the specialist to begin treatment & monitoring my levels. Has anyone had to have treatment for that? What level do you have to be at to get insulin as a treatment? Who just had to monitor by diet? I'm trying to not freak out. It's easy for everyone to say "You just have to follow a diet" when your an emotional 3rd trimester woman who loves pasta, bread & sweets. So any advice you have before I go see the specialist (who last time I saw him freaked me out)

Re: Gestational Diabetes Treatment

  • You really do have to just follow the diet. You're protective Momma bear skills will kick in. I too am a pasta junkie and love my candy and sweets but I know that for the sake of child, I have to go without, or at least seriously monitor my consumption.

    If you follow the diet, you will be fine. Also add a little exercise into your daily routine if you haven't already. Just some walking, maybe some swimming. That will help control things as well.

    I know I posted a while back with the diet I was on last time. I'll see if I can find the link and post it for you.
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  • Hi - I had GD last pregnancy (passed my early test this pregnancy but still have to take it again in 2 weeks).

    It doesn't necessarily mean that you will need insulin -- I was able to diet control my numbers.  The most important thing to remember is that you do need to eat carbs on a regular basis to keep your numbers steady.  If you choose healthier, whole grains - in small portions - they work the best. 

    I had the hardest time controlling my fasting numbers -- I had to eat right before going to bed and I still often tested over 90 first thing in the morning.  But, my other numbers were good, so my doctors were happy.  They scheduled an induction for my due date only because my BP was getting higher each appt, but then my water broke at 39 weeks, so induction wasn't necessary.

    DD was born 7lb 9.5oz and just perfect.  Due to my GD, they did test her blood sugar every 3 hrs (heel prick), but she had no problems.  They also tested my blood after giving me french toast & syrup, danish and orange juice for breakfast the morning after I gave birth -- it was well within normal range.

    I'm not going to lie - it does suck to watch everything you eat and do finger pricks 4x's a day.  But it is only for a couple months and worth it to have a healthy baby.  It's so much better to know that your placenta is messing with your sugar processing and be able to take steps to ensure that your baby isn't adversely affected.
  • I had it last pregnancy (3rd) and again this time. I eat healthy and run marathons and still could not get my fasting levels under control last time. So I went on meds. They start you on oral meds before ever needing insulin. It runs in my family so it didn't really surprise me. This time they tested earlier at 16 weeks instead of 28 and I failed already but have this far been able to control it with diet and exercise. As baby gets bigger though it's harder for your body to process sugars. Your dietician will teach you a lot. If you do have to go on meds you are considered high risk and starting at 32 weeks need ob appt., Ultrasound, and 2 non stress tests each week. That got old. And. I did end up with a large baby at 9 on. 8 oz. At 39 weeks. Their goal for us babies is under 9 lbs. Of they think baby is getting too big they may induce. Hope this helps. The healthy eating part is actually not too bad. Breyers makes a great low carb ice cream if you need a cheat.
  • Ladies thank you so much. I think hearing it from Moms who are dealing with it right now or recently had to. I have my appointment with the specialist today at 1:45 so I'll know what he wants to do. I think the "fear" is second guessing everything I put in my mouth. I started changing my diet on Tuesday when I found out it was a possibility now to know for sure it makes it a little more real.
  • No matter what, you have to follow the diet. I love carbs too, but I was diagnosed at 9 weeks so I have been really watching what I eat. No matter what I did, my fasting numbers were not in the correct range, so I started glyburide, but it made me get really low and it didn't always work, so I started insulin. As your placenta grows, it makes more and more insulin inhibitors, so whatever you take will gradually increase throughout the pregnancy. GD is not that bad, I promise!
  • I had it last pregnancy (3rd) and again this time. I eat healthy and run marathons and still could not get my fasting levels under control last time. So I went on meds. They start you on oral meds before ever needing insulin. It runs in my family so it didn't really surprise me. This time they tested earlier at 16 weeks instead of 28 and I failed already but have this far been able to control it with diet and exercise. As baby gets bigger though it's harder for your body to process sugars. Your dietician will teach you a lot. If you do have to go on meds you are considered high risk and starting at 32 weeks need ob appt., Ultrasound, and 2 non stress tests each week. That got old. And. I did end up with a large baby at 9 on. 8 oz. At 39 weeks. Their goal for us babies is under 9 lbs. Of they think baby is getting too big they may induce. Hope this helps. The healthy eating part is actually not too bad. Breyers makes a great low carb ice cream if you need a cheat.
    Low carb ice cream for my evening snack actually gave me my best fasting numbers in the morning.  
  • Thanks ladies I went to see the specialist yesterday & got my kit. I start monitoring my numbers today & I saw where my numbers were at after the test YIKES that was scary I've gotten some great advice from the #BumpCommunity & people who were recently preggo going threw it. So today I start my "new normal"
  • Question for those ladies who have tested positive for GD - Did you start the diet after receiving the results of your 1-hr test or did you wait until the 3-hr test?

    I received conflicting information from my midwife's office. The triage nurse who called me with the 1-hr results gave me the impression that I failed the 1-hr badly enough (blood sugar of 145) that I should begin the diet immediately. But, I've struggled with this diet over the past few days. I'm a vegetarian and already somewhat thin (5'8", started the pregnancy at 130lbs and reached 140lbs at 27 weeks pregnant). Over 3 days or so of trying to reduce sugar/carbs, my weight dropped down 5lbs. I called my midwife's office today feeling concerned about that. The midwife told me today not to worry about following the diet and to eat normally until they can get my fasting bloodwork. But now I feel like I'm hurting the baby by eating "normally"! :( I suppose I'm just looking for some guidance from folks who have been in a similar spot.

  • Question for those ladies who have tested positive for GD - Did you start the diet after receiving the results of your 1-hr test or did you wait until the 3-hr test?

    I received conflicting information from my midwife's office. The triage nurse who called me with the 1-hr results gave me the impression that I failed the 1-hr badly enough (blood sugar of 145) that I should begin the diet immediately. But, I've struggled with this diet over the past few days. I'm a vegetarian and already somewhat thin (5'8", started the pregnancy at 130lbs and reached 140lbs at 27 weeks pregnant). Over 3 days or so of trying to reduce sugar/carbs, my weight dropped down 5lbs. I called my midwife's office today feeling concerned about that. The midwife told me today not to worry about following the diet and to eat normally until they can get my fasting bloodwork. But now I feel like I'm hurting the baby by eating "normally"! :( I suppose I'm just looking for some guidance from folks who have been in a similar spot.
    I started the diet immediately following my 1hr.  Have you received information from a nutritionist on what you should and should not eat with the diet?  They will usually provide you with carbohydrate limits per meal that you should try to stay within.  Also, uncontrolled diabetes can actually lead to weight loss so it's hard to say what's causing what.  My suggestion is to follow your midwife's advice and schedule the 3hr asap.  Your child will be fine for the next few days as long as you don't go super crazy.
    If there's something strange underneath the hood.  Who you gonna call?  Your Doctor.  If there's something weird and it don't look good.  Who you gonna call?  Your Doctor.  Immediately.  If it's new, painful, and possibly pregnancy related get your ass off the internet and call your doctor.  It's for your health and your child's. 




  • I started making little changes after I failed my 1 hour test. But I didn't have a clear cut idea of what I was suppose to do until after I saw the dr last Friday. The first 3 days have been difficult just getting a grasp on what I'm suppose to eat & making sure I'm not bottoming out with my sugar getting low. I'm just trying to focus on monitoring it & staying active. To be honest I'm so damn tired it's hard to want to work out. Yesterday & today I've felt beat down.
  • I had a super high reading for the 1 hour at 161. Although my first fasting was within range at 90. So I'm going for the 3 hour test on Friday. I've done well with weight gain (17lbs total) and have been exercising 2-3x per week. I'm going to try and up that to every day if possible for at least 30 min. I don't drink soda, but LOVE fruit and cereal or smoothies for breakfast. Not looking forward to having to change my diet, but I'm 27 weeks so not too long left to go!
  • Here's the great news- you can still eat everything you want, you just need to watch the carbs. If you like fruit for breakfast, have it for a snack instead. Like carbs? Just have smaller serving sizes. I have been battling GD since week 9 and I still enjoy ice cream, fruit, and bagels. I just space them out and eat smaller portions. Load up on protein and veggies, and just watch the carbs!
  • Search gestational diabetes on Facebook too. There are a number of great communities you can join for support and meal ideas.

    I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. It's an adjustment but I know I'll be healthier in the long run.
    And yes, you can eat just about everything you were eating before, just in moderation and at certain times.
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