Gestational Diabetes

cmcookaln · November 2016

I didn't see anyone else who had posted that they have been diagnosed so I might be the first in the group. I had an appointment on Monday and the dr wanted me to go ahead and take the 1 hour glucose at 13w6d since I had a previous pregnancy with GD. I got the phone call today saying that I have failed and I failed so bad that they are not even going to do the 3 hour test. Yay for 26 weeks of strict dieting when I should be pigging out on whatever I want, especially since I have just gotten over the horrible morning sickness. For those of you that get diagnosed later on in your pregnancy and are first timers (or not), I have lots of recipes and food suggestions to share from experience and I'm sure I will discover even more between now and May.

Jkp7749 · November 2016

I have a few questions... last pregnancy i failed the one hour and out of the three hour test, the fist number I failed, the second I was literally on the exact cut off number, and the third I passed. I was told it was ok since technically I passed, but I wondered the whole time if I should've been more careful since if i had been one more they would have considered me GD. Anyway, I felt EXTREMELY lethargic after anything carby- like literally could not stay awake within minutes and woke up feeling like i'd been running for an hour or something. I had a very hard time keeping weight gain under control and was very swollen. Are these symptoms of GD if not on the diet? I want to avoid feeling like that this time, and already have had a lot of weight gain even though I'm having a hard time eating.

cmcookaln · November 2016

jkp7749 Your three hour results from last time sound exactly like my three hour results from my first and they diagnosed me with diabetes. I was able to control my sugar levels completely through my diet and even moments of splurges like at my baby showers where I didn't monitor and I didn't really notice any side effects. Honestly, I had no side effects with the first and did not have any to indicate that I have it this time. I have even checked my sugar levels a few times since I found out I was pregnant and they were all normal so I really was shocked when I got the news. Sorry I can't help you more with the specific symptoms, but I would definitely limit your carb intake a little if possible just to avoid GD with this pregnancy.

Jkp7749 · November 2016

so weird. I thought it was strange at the time too and was nervous about it bc they just shrugged it off... I wasn't happy with the care I got from my midwives on quite a few important things... I know they tend to be hands off but I feel like they dropped the ball on a few important things. My daughter ended up being almost 9 lbs which I know is not uncommon, but she was too big for me to deliver and it led to her getting distressed, three hours of pushing, and an emergency c section that I was completely knocked out for.

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot · November 2016

@cmcookaln It's interesting that they had you test early. I had GD with my first pregnancy. I took another glucose test a few months after delivering and I passed. My doctor said that my first GD was caused by the placenta and that I'm not anymore likely to have it this time around. So I wont test until 28 weeks. First go around I was also on the cusp and the dietician side-eyed my diagnosis. But by the end of my pregnancy, it was very noticeable in my blood sugar levels.

On a related note, first pregnancy I had a major sweet tooth. This time around, sugar makes me feel gross. I'm (very unscientifically) hoping that means I won't have it this time around. But if I do, the diet kept my weight under control. I lost weight, baby gained, and together "we" didn't gain a single pound after the diagnosis for the rest of the pregnancy.

bacorrea · November 2016

I already had to take the 1 hour too. I didn't have it last time though, they just look at me and see "overweight" (which is dumb because women of all shapes and sizes can get GD) and DD was 9.9lb so they made me test. I passed this time, I'm sure they will make me go again. I'm sorry you didn't pass.

chickyclg · November 2016

When is the 1 hour done typically?

WombThereItIs · November 2016

@chickyclg around 26 weeks.

chickyclg · November 2016

@WombThereItIs I was thinking I had it done way later last time, I still haven't officially met my OB yet so I was scared I missing out on something already. Is the reason for having it so early for some people due to having a history with it?

WombThereItIs · November 2016

Some docs will test you early if you had it before and some will also test you around 12-16 weeks if you have an obese BMI.

nda_roxybabe · November 2016

That sucks! Realllllly hoping I won't get it

mcvgal · November 2016

Due to my weight I have taken the test at my initial appointment (around 8 weeks) every pregnancy, and again at around 28 weeks. With DS2 I had GD and was able to keep everything under control with diet and exercise. I hope not have it this time as I already passed the first test. However, if I do get GD again I will just do what needs to be done. I found that last time it took me a good 2 weeks or so to get into the habit of planning my meals correctly, but it got easy as it became a daily routine. I also found a lot of support in my last BMB. We had a weekly check-in that helped not only with support but also accountability.

Kipperoo · November 2016

With my first pregnancy, I passed the 1 hour, but barely, so they had me do the 3 hour. Like many of you, I barely failed 1 point and passed the rest. They had me retake the 3 hour test at 34 weeks because the baby's abdomen was measuring large, again I barely failed 1 check point, so they diagnosed me with GD. I tested my blood every day, as directed, and never had levels that were too high. I delivered at 37 weeks on the dot, so my GD stint was short lived. This go around, my new doctor is confused as to how I ended up with the diagnosis so late--she's just having me go forward with the normal schedule of GD testing. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen again, but it wasn't the end of the world, just a bit of a pain.

diann21 · November 2016

@cmcookaln Thanks for starting this post - I'd been looking for it too.

This is my first pregnancy. I took the 1-hour test last week (12w4d), which I guess is early, but they'd found glucose in my urine, and I guess I'm at risk because both of my parents have Type 2 diabetes, as well as a grandparent. My BMI is right in the middle of the healthy range. But, I failed pretty badly because my doctor emailed me "Yikes! Your numbers are really high. You need to come in right away for the 3 hour test." So that's scheduled for next week. Super fun.

I started researching how to control it with diet and I got so frustrated and overwhelmed. I already eat fairly healthfully - well-balanced meals, every 2-3 hours, organic when I can, 90% cooked at home, with fruit (and sometimes chocolate) being my main sugar intake - and it takes a lot of time, energy, and planning! And now, on top of all the changes that pregnancy brings, (and we're also in the midst of a huge remodel at home), I will likely have to change my entire food lifestyle!? Oh man I had a bit of a meltdown. I'm sure the hormones (and the cold I developed this week) didn't help.

Anyway, if anyone has good suggestions, recipes, words of advice, or even wants to commiserate with me, please, let me know. And good luck to those of you working through GD this pregnancy!

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot · November 2016

@diann21 It's been 3 years since I've had to follow the diet so I'm a little rusty. I do remember that it helps to get some movement (like going for a walk) after a meal. When I was diagnosed, my OB referred me to a dietician to help me with the diet and that was super helpful. The diet is basically about balancing carbs with protein. For instance, some of my snacks were a piece of cheese w/ fruit or pb on ritz crackers. If you love pasta, there's a brand called Dreamfield's (I think) that's made specifically for people with diabetes and didn't send my blood sugar sky rocketing. As you test your blood sugar, you'll be able to tell what you personally can and can't eat to make it move. For instance, I couldn't have milk in the morning because my blood sugar would spike. But I could have regular ice cream in the evening without any issues. Hopefully we can get a regular check-in going as people start to get the dreaded diagnosis.

cmcookaln · November 2016

@diann21 I also eat relatively healthy, normal BMI, and cook at home. I had been exercising regularly until I injured my knee and then I was feeling so bad from morning sickness that I didn't exercise, but I have been doing physical therapy for my knee so I should be able to start exercising soon. I am blaming this all on genetics, though it is frustrating. I have Type II on both sides of my family and am of hispanic decent (hispanics are at a greater risk for developing diabetes). Your doctor should refer you to a dietitian. I refused the referral this time because I didn't figure they would tell me anything any different from last time.

mrt · November 2016

Lurking from June 2017... @bacorrea I also had to test twice during my last pregnancy and will have to during this pregnancy because of my large babies, even though I've never even come close to failing. I think the recommendation would come regardless of your weight, but is based on the birth weight of your baby.

tenfour · November 2016

I wouldn't wish gd on anyone but the upside is all my gd friends look great throughout their pregnancy while I'm over here gaining 80 lbs.

bacorrea · November 2016

mrt said:

Lurking from June 2017... @bacorrea I also had to test twice during my last pregnancy and will have to during this pregnancy because of my large babies, even though I've never even come close to failing. I think the recommendation would come regardless of your weight, but is based on the birth weight of your baby.

Yes, I guess that could be a reason as well! Everyone acts like DD was SO HUGE, I mean, she wasn't that large. My brother was 11.1lbs! Meh. Even before I had her I had to go to MFM to do extra growth scans.

diann21 · November 2016

Well, I'm in hour three of the three hour test. Should know either way by tomorrow.

But oh man - that nausea the first hour though! I was so worried about tossing my cookies & they specifically said if I threw up I'd have to retake it another day. It went away halfway through hour two, thank goodness!!

tammynixx · November 2016

I just tested last week for the 1 hour. I failed by 1 point so I'm doing the three hour this week. I had GD my last two pregnancies. Both were diet controlled

PghMom412 · November 2016

@diann21 this was me with last pregnancy except I tossed my cookies within 30 minutes every time ...and they made me try 3x. eventually I met with the endocrinologist who had me finger prick a few times daily and my numbers were fine. I liked meeting with the dietician to get new food ideas.

lizzyfroggy · November 2016

Is there a group for diabetic moms?

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