Gestational Diabetes check in?

Mama5181 · January 2017

I know many of us have started taking the glucose test. Anyone else get the official GD diagnosis yet? Sadly I did. Womp womp! I thought maybe we could do a check in and see how we're doing?

Good idea or no note yet?

sberries · January 2017

I found out I failed my three hour test today too! I'm so upset and could not stop crying at work. I have an appointment on the 18th to talk to someone at my office about it. That was the first appointment they had. Luckily I already had an appointment with my OB this Wednesday so hopefully I can find out some more information. Not sure how this happened. I'm fit, have been eating well and walk every night for 30 minutes with the DH. So frustrating!

dam0ne4 · January 2017

I just got the diagnosis. I had it with my first pregnancy so I was totally expecting to get it again. Wah wah

@sberries ((hugs)) - it's nothing you did at all and it really isn't preventable unfortunately. When I got diagnosed the first time I was really upset, but it ended up not being as bad as I thought.

M&Max · January 2017

I had GD with my son. I was able to manage it with just a diet change for the most part. So if y'all run into any questions I'm more than happy to help! I have my second screening here shortly so I may or may not be joining y'all with this pregnancy. I know it sucks but honestly it wasn't the worst thing that could've happened.

Limie · January 2017

I had gd with my son (14 months). I have my 3 hour in 3 weeks. I tried to skip it but my doctor insist since I barely failed my one hour I did at 16 weeks.
@sberries I was so upset when I found out I had gd my first pregnancy! I cried on and off all day! It turns out, it wasn't bad at all. I ate healthier than I had been and you get used to testing 4 times a day. I did have to be induced but other than that I had a natural birth and my son was born a healthy 7 lbs 6oz!

rachelmiller03 · January 2017

I had it with DS (16 months) too. I was so upset, I almost had to leave work because I couldn't stop crying. After meeting with the diabetic counselor, I realized it was nothing I did, or didn't do. I ate healthier than ever, and had a very healthy 7 lb-er. I actually weighed less leaving the hospital with DS than I did before I got pregnant.
I'm pretty sure I will have it this time around too. I still weigh less than my pre-pregnancy weight with DS, but with this one I have been gaining very rapidly. So until I am diagnosed again, I have begun the same eating practices the diabetic counselor taught. The only post-pregnancy upset I have had in regards to GD is that I am not able to be a surrogate for my SIL because of it. Other than that, no issues at all. If anyone has questions, or needs support, I am here for you!

sberries · January 2017

Thanks everyone! I started monitoring my blood sugar and so far so good. I haven't been out of the normal range yet. Part of me wonders if my small stature had something to do with the 3 hour test? I'm 4'10''. Maybe the amount of glucose was just too much for my frame to process? I don't know...it just feels strange that all my levels since the test have been normal. I have an apppontment Wednesday so can hopefully get some questions answered!

dam0ne4 · January 2017

@Sberries I'm short too (just under 5'), but overweight so I'm not sure how that factors in. If you've been eating normally and your levels are good, that's a great sign - you probably won't have to change your diet too much. Good luck at your appt!

Virginialeigh · January 2017

I have my 3 hr test on Wednesday. I'm a little freaked out but trying to stay calm. Reading this has helped. I didn't know the first test was coming and right before my appointment I ate a giant cupcake. I'm hoping that's the only reason I failed the first time, but we'll see on Wednesday.

pammasu0909 · January 2017

I'm back on the GD bandwagon. Waiting for the hospital to set up my meeting with the dietitian. I'm not totally shocked, more annoyed. My mornings are a stressful overtired rush as it is, and now I have to find time to eat before I leave the house instead of when I get to work.

dam0ne4 · January 2017

I'm sorry @pammasu0909. I felt the same way - such a hassle

shaunessa · January 2017

@Virginialeigh

How did your test go? I failed the one hour and I have to do my 3 hour one on Tuesday. I didnt eat anything and had a King Size hershey bar the night before, so I was kinda blaming it on that.

hb7 · January 2017

I failed the 3 hour. I just met with the dietitian and have been testing four times a day and logging all my food on my fitness pal. So far it's not that bad. It has actually been interesting to see which foods spike my sugar and which foods dont. I found out I cannot eat popcorn any more.

Jillyjersey · January 2017

So I need some advice . With my first baby who is now 19 months old, I failed the 1 hour at 170 and then passed the 3 hour test . Changed my eating habits a little to make sure I was taking care of my self. Now with this pregnancy, I actually weigh about 5 lbs less than I did at this week with my first child. I took the 1 hour test and failed with a whopping 189 glucose level. The nurse from the OBGYN called and said I should go right into GD counseling and diet. I asked if I could still do the 3 hour test beforehand. They said yes. Is this a smart move or should I just go right into GD counseling and diet change ? I know it is nothing I did or didn't do, but I just feel a little...uneasy about not having the 3 hour. Either way, no more ice cream at night for me.

Mama5181 · January 2017

@Jillyjersey I would definitely take the 3 hour. It's important to know if you truly failed.

HappyAnjel · January 2017

Mine kept getting pushed back.. but I finally have it in the morning.. had it with DD and was much heavier starting this time around.. so not going to be surprised at all if I fail.

dam0ne4 · January 2017

@Jillyjersey I was in a similar boat for my 1st pregnancy, I failed with a 230 (yikes) so they put me on the diet right away. This time I had a 176 for the 1 hr and failed the 3 hour.

I think there's no harm in either choice, except sitting there for 3 hours. Might be worth it to know for sure though

pammasu0909 · January 2017

@Jillyjersey ice cream at night is actually recommended for me, as long as I only have one portion. I think it doesn't hurt to take the 3 hour test, but be aware of what your are eating in the meantime.

@hb7 Pizza is out for me. So much for that easy weekend dinner

Jillyjersey · January 2017

thanks everyone , I scheduled my 3 hour for this Thurs. I have already started to eat on a gestational diabetic plan and I'm feeling more energy. Either way if I have it or not, just want to keep baby and me safe and healthy. I'm not mad about failing the tests etc they are there for a reason

MotherOfFreels · January 2017

I might have a mild case of GD, according to my midwife. So, I started keeping track of my glucose levels after every meal. Goodbye carbs and sugar! I'm getting better at tracking and even lost about a pound in two weeks. However, during my appointment my baby's fundal height increased 5 cm. I'm so incredibly worried and will be having a sonogram to see what's going on next week. I really don't want to high risk out of my birth center. I'm more terrified of giving birth at a hospital and have a c-section. I'm working hard on my diet, but I'm worried it might be too late. Most importantly, I want my baby to be healthy. But, this added stress probably isn't helping.

elgie · January 2017

Hey ladies! Looks like I'll be joining you here...just found out I failed my 3 hour test...

My question is, how far along were you all when you were diagnosed? I'm almost 30 weeks along...Was I diagnosed kinda late? I'm worried that I've done some irreversible damage to my baby....

I had to call for my results and no one has gotten back with me about the referral for a diabetic counselor...I feel like there should be more urgency to this...or am I just over-reacting?

M&Max · January 2017

For those of you diagnosed for the first time, be careful not to cut out too many carbs! They are important in the GD diet, just in moderation. Without digging up my old materials, I think the below is pretty close to what I followed with my son:

Breakfast: 15-30g carbs, 1-4 protein servings

Snack: 15-30g carbs, 1-2 protein servings

Lunch: 30-60g carbs, 2-6 protein servings

Snack: 15-30g carbs, 1-2 protein servings

Dinner: 30-60g carbs, 2-6 protein servings

Bedtime snack: 15-30g carbs, 1-2 protein servings

Obviously, make sure you follow what your doctor says but in case you haven't seen a nutritional counselor yet, the above is a pretty good guideline. You'll figure out which foods spike your sugar and which don't.

@elgie I was 27 weeks with DS when I was diagnosed. With this kiddo, I tested early at 18 weeks but passed the test. I'm testing again this week at 28 weeks to ensure I still don't test positive for GD. I've been checking my sugar levals randomly all pregnancy but there's no real telling how my body with react to the glucose drink. I should know results this week. 30 weeks is a little late but honestly, at least they caught it. GD undiagnosed is much scarier than diagnosing a week or so later than the suggestion.

Mama5181 · January 2017

You really shouldn't cut out all carbs. It's about finding the perfect balance of carbs and protein. You should be sent to a dietician almost right away and they will give you a plan that is designed for you to follow.

Its also important to realize that diet alone may not fix it. Sadly I'm struggling despite the diet and meds. Hormones also effect your insulin levels. So during pregnancy that's all out of whack. So my sugars have days that are ridiculously out of control and there's nothing I can do to make it better. It's so frustrating.

elgie · January 2017

@m&max Thank you for sharing that! I have still yet to hear back from the doctor, which is really frustrating. I know that left untreated GD is really serious and I just can't believe they aren't taking it more seriously...I'm a FTM with ZERO experience on this and they are just kind of blowing it off. I don't even know my numbers...did I fail by a lot...by a little? What do I need to be doing differently? With being as far along as I am already I want to make these changes as soon as possible to make sure I am doing everything I can for my baby.

When they have you use a glucose meter, do they provide one for you, or do they recommend that you buy one yourself? I'm contemplating going to get one at Walgreens after work so I at least start monitoring until they can get me an appointment with the diabetic counselor/nutritionist.

Mama5181 · January 2017

elgie

When they have you use a glucose meter, do they provide one for you, or do they recommend that you buy one yourself? I'm contemplating going to get one at Walgreens after work so I at least start monitoring until they can get me an appointment with the diabetic counselor/nutritionist.

They should give you a prescription for your meter and they meter, lancets and test strips should be ordered from the pharmacy ASAP. I would be calling the OB office and being very pushy about next steps.

pammasu0909 · January 2017

@elgie I would call and leave a message with the nurses.

My diabetic educator gave me a monitor that my insurance covered, then I needed my OB to order a prescription for lancets and test strips. I got the call that I failed on Tuesday, met with the educator on Thursday, and I meet with a dietitian tomorrow. Luckily I've done this before so I already know most of the rules, but until you can meet with someone here's a high level set of goals for you.

Eat 6 smaller meals instead of 3 large ones.
Always balance carbs with protein
No juice. fruit, or milk with breakfast
Don't add sugar, honey, etc
No white bread/rice

M&Max posted the standard goals for carbs/protein, so try to start following those guidelines. For meal ideas, I suggest pinterest

I screwed up and forgot my lunch at home, but today's menu would have been:

Breakfast: 1 slice wheat bread, peanut butter, 2 scrambled eggs
Snack: Apple and cheese stick
Lunch: Salad with chicken, caffeine free coke zero, pretzel sticks (I had a burger with no bun, tomato slices, and fries instead - not sure how my numbers will be yet!)
Snack: Ants on a log (celery, peanut butter, raisins)
Dinner: Not sure yet, but probably tacos
Snack: One serving of Edy's Slow Churned peanut butter cup ice cream

ETA: I wouldn't buy a monitor. They aren't cheap. Just try following the diet the best you can until you can get in touch with your doctor

dam0ne4 · January 2017

Hi Ladies, I need to vent/complain. My dr put me on 5 mg glyburide 2x day because I couldn't completely control my numbers with diet. So I took the first pill this morning, ate breakfast and then started to not feel well, sweaty, light headed. I tested my blood sugar and it was 51! Thankfully I had some candy and my coworker gave me a nutty bar to get my numbers back up. But an hour after that, they dropped back down to 73. I don't like this at all. I feel like they prescribed me too high of a dose... I'm going to try half the dose later. I'm terrified of passing out from hypoglycemia

dam0ne4 · January 2017

@elgie My doctor prescribed everything - the meter, test strips and needles. I'm sorry you're not getting a lot of info. You could start by eating lower carb higher protein meals and snacks, make sure you don't go more than 3 hours without eating. It's not that bad once you get in a groove...

rachelmiller03 · January 2017

@dam0ne4 Please let your OB know about your dips right away. I would call the nurses line. Maybe they can try a different med, or as you suggested, different dose. Low sugar can be just as dangerous as high sugar. I hope you find something that works- let us know!

M&Max · January 2017

@dam0ne4 I would second what @rachelmiller03 said about calling the OB right away. When I was taking Glyburide with DS I ended up only needing 2.5mg once a day. I would however carry glucose tablets (fairly inexpensive at the drugstore) just in case your levels continue to dip. That way you'll have something that can get your numbers back into the correct range quickly. Such a bummer to be having to deal with your numbers fluctuating so much!

M&Max · January 2017

@elgie I would definitely wait for your dr to prescribe the meter and supplies like everyone said. They definitely aren't cheap to buy out right. In the meantime, googling diabetic meals and generally following what I laid out earlier will help get you on the right track. The biggest thing is having enough protein at each meal with your carbs. Meal planning is a godsend and if you're anything like me, you'll end up eating most of the same meals daily. I got tired of having to figure out what I could eat, etc so I just stuck to what I knew worked. Once you get your meter it's helpful to test after each main meal (Breakfast, lunch, dinner) and to do a fasting check (when you first wake up). This will help you to know exactly what spikes your sugar and what doesn't.

If you have anymore questions - shoot them my way! I'm happy to help. I just had my re-test today and I'm pretty sure I'll be joining you ladies tomorrow based on how I was feeling. We shall see tomorrow!

Mama5181 · January 2017

@dam0ne4 you definitely need to tell your OB. I am having the exact same issue. An hour after I take it my numbers drop to 35-50. The first time I almost passed out when they hit 37. Thankfully my daughter got me a pop out of the fridge. After a few days of that the OB cut my dose in half. I still get a crash but not that hard. But sadly my nighttime number are still bad. Dinner was a ham and boiled egg sandwich on wheat with a cup of chili and about 8 chips and it was 157. Ugh! I'm over it.

Limie · January 2017

So I was supposed to take my 3 hour this thursday, but I have been testing my sugar for 2 weeks now and well, my numbers suck. So I called today to talk to my doctors nurse about it. Ended up taking to some other nurse that didn't want to listen to me and instead argue with me saying my Dr will still want me to do the 3 hour. Ugh! I ended up getting upset and she finally put me through to the correct nurse.
After giving her Few days worth of numbers my Dr is fine with me skipping the 3 hour.
It sucks to have to go through this again but oh well.

teamla-2 · January 2017

Looks like I'm in the GD category. I failed my one hour by 0.5 - cut off is 7.8 and I was 8.3 (we seem to measure blood sugars here in Canada differently - my dad has been a Type 1 diabetic all his life and I've never heard the ranges you are all talking about).

I then failed the three hour by a bit - my fasting baseline was fine at 4.7 but my one hour was 0.1 to 0.2 over the limit, though my two hour was also fine.

So anyway - off to the dietitian and learning about monitoring on Friday. Hopefully diet will be enough.

Isabella2017 · January 2017

Hey new to group. I'm expecting twins at beginning of April. One of my babies have more fluid then the other baby the dr said indicator of diabetes but I've already been tested twice an passed both test. But having major weakness in my legs when I do alot of anything. Checking me now for low sugar

teamla-2 · January 2017

Isabella2017 said:

Hey new to group. I'm expecting twins at beginning of April. One of my babies have more fluid then the other baby the dr said indicator of diabetes but I've already been tested twice an passed both test. But having major weakness in my legs when I do alot of anything. Checking me now for low sugar

Are your twins di-di or mono-di?

M&Max · January 2017

Well just got the call - failed the 1 hr. Dr was cool with me skipping the 3 hr since I've had GD previously and know the drill. Not the end of the world but definitely a pain to be back to being so strict with my diet. And can I just say that the Cigna website is the absolute worst! I have to call/chat with them everytime I have a question. We used to have United HealthCare and it was so easy to look up what was covered, etc. Offciially hating to have to switch insurances part way through the pregnancy.

shaunessa · January 2017

i called my doc's office this morning, because they failed to call me yesterday. Nurse said my sugar went up on the 2nd hour, but nothing to worry about. I just have to exercise and watch what I eat. This is a pic of my dinner before I took the 3hr test.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/np/vd3rqp31naj8.jpg

pammasu0909 · January 2017

M&Max (apparently I can't tag you?) I had united with my first 2 kids and it was SOOO much better than BCBS has been.

pammasu0909 · January 2017

Can we talk about the Superbowl? I usually snack all night long on apps and dips and deliciousness... I have no idea what to do this year. Any ideas for fun GD friendly Super Bowl meals?

PS, go Pats!

M&Max · January 2017

@pammasu0909 yup sadly the name I chose way back when can't be tagged due to the '&' symbol. I should've changed it by now but well... I'm lazy. haha.

For the super bowl, I plan on having snacks/dinner planned for me specifically vs what the rest of the group will eat. I'll probably make some kind of baked buffalo chicken and have a side of celery and guac for dipping. Still need some kind of larger carb most likely but so far - that's what I have planned. I think the rest of our crew will have buffalo wings, cheese dip, guac and chips. It'll just be harder to stay away from all of the cookies and desserts that come in

I still don't have my meter/supplies yet (I have an old meter from DS' pregnancy still though) for this kiddo but so far all of my numbers with the old meter have been around 120 an hour after eating. Hoping I can just stick close to the diet and be good to go although I haven't testing my fasting number yet. That's the one that always got me last time and forced me to go on meds.

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