1st trimester with gestational diabetes

platanogal · July 2017

Prior to pregnancy I had been in the prediabetic range and working hard on diet and exercise to try and lower my a1c numbers into a normal range. now that I'm pregnant I've officially been promoted to having gestational diabetes after a 5.7 a1c test result during my early pregnancy blood work

I'm 10 weeks along and have been testing my blood sugar 4x a day for the past week. It's a drag, but it does give you good insight on how your body reacts to what you eat.

Has anyone else been diagnosed with early gestational diabetes?

TattoosandLace · July 2017

My OB wants me to test at my next appointment and then again during second tri because I failed the GD test with my first. GD doesn't discriminate though.

Aeml1985 · August 2017

Me too @TattoosandLace
i have pcos so I have to do it before my 18 week appointment and then again at the regular (27 wk I think?) time

TattoosandLace · August 2017

platanogal said:

Prior to pregnancy I had been in the prediabetic range and working hard on diet and exercise to try and lower my a1c numbers into a normal range. now that I'm pregnant I've officially been promoted to having gestational diabetes after a 5.7 a1c test result during my early pregnancy blood work

I'm 10 weeks along and have been testing my blood sugar 4x a day for the past week. It's a drag, but it does give you good insight on how your body reacts to what you eat.

Has anyone else been diagnosed with early gestational diabetes?

Wait. Did you fail the one hour and get diagnosed without having to do the three hour?

chucksmom15 · August 2017

My OB and my endocrinologist are closely monitoring my A1C because I am insulin resistant. I had to do the 1 hour glucose test at 8 weeks (thankfully I passed) and will do it again at 28 weeks. I agree with @TattoosandLace. Did you fail the 3 hour or are they basing it strictly off your A1C?? My doctor is going by the glucose tolerance results not my A1C, but my A1C was normal so maybe that's the difference here??

melarowan · August 2017

Popping in from Oct17. I was diagnosed at 12 or 13 weeks and am now managing with metformin and 2 types of insulin. A1C 6.0. It is kinda rough, but you are right about the insights. If you do have to go insulin, make sure you check the manufacturer's website for a discount card and ask your doctor to see if they can get the costs lowered based on short-term need. Insulin is ridiculously expensive, even with great insurance.

RSaini · August 2017

I will be tested at my next appt with my midwife since I had GD with my first. I am not looking forward to it at all.

ladybugsamom · August 2017

*lurking from March*
I saw my doctor yesterday and because my fasting blood sugars have been averaging in the 120's she's already ready to diagnose me. I had labs done to check my A1C but she mentioned insulin will be likely later on. I know there is a likelihood that I was diabetic before becoming pregnant but my PCP never diagnosed me. Having this new diagnosis looming over me is terrifying...Especially at the thought of needing insulin.

platanogal · August 2017

Haven't taken the 1 hr. Was diagnosed based on the a1c test results from 1st round of pregnancy bloodwork. I'm assuming they will make me take the 1 hr at some point.

After about 5 days of testing my after meal numbers are within a normal range, but my fasting numbers are higher, around 105 to 110, they should be below 90. Im worried that I'll have to go on medication this early in my pregnancy. I have a follow up appt with the nutrionist and perinatal dr next week.

platanogal · August 2017

melarowan said:

Popping in from Oct17. I was diagnosed at 12 or 13 weeks and am now managing with metformin and 2 types of insulin. A1C 6.0. It is kinda rough, but you are right about the insights. If you do have to go insulin, make sure you check the manufacturer's website for a discount card and ask your doctor to see if they can get the costs lowered based on short-term need. Insulin is ridiculously expensive, even with great insurance.

Great tip! Hopefully I won't have to go on insulin, but it's good to be prepared. Ughhhhhhh

platanogal · August 2017

ladybugsamom said:

*lurking from March*
I saw my doctor yesterday and because my fasting blood sugars have been averaging in the 120's she's already ready to diagnose me. I had labs done to check my A1C but she mentioned insulin will be likely later on. I know there is a likelihood that I was diabetic before becoming pregnant but my PCP never diagnosed me. Having this new diagnosis looming over me is terrifying...Especially at the thought of needing insulin.

Feeling the same way about insulin.... the thought of adding more needles to the mix freaks me out.

The fasting numbers are sooooo hard to get down if you are already prediabetic. Last night I tried 2 tbl spoons of apple cider vinegar before bed and that kind of lowered my fasting numbers... but it was still 105 which isn't great. Trying a different snack before bed every night, but ive been having a tough time lowering the fasting numbers. I also walk regularly as part of my work commute and take studio classes once or twice a week... fasting still high... I cant win!

melarowan · August 2017

I want to preface this whole thing with the statement that I'm no expert. I've been living/learning GD life for about 16 weeks now. I feel like I've hit a lot of bumps along the way, but I've learned a lot too. I like connecting with other GD mommas so we can share info back and forth.

I really beat myself up at first for the fasting numbers. I've had to accept that those numbers are mostly out of my control. I've taken to eating the Kirkland brand protein bars ($17.99/box of 20, fudge and cookie dough flavors) as my before bed treat and it doesn't seem to impact my fasting like carb-y snacks would. Good on the walking! I think it makes more of an impact on the post-meal numbers, and not as much the fasting numbers, but it's still a good thing to do. I have a really hard time walking (so many other issues) but I'll be starting PT in the pool on Friday. Swimming was recommended by my doc as an alternative and in this summer heat, I'm all over that!!

As for insulin, I am prone to fainting and really hate needles. The finger sticks that you have to do to test blood sugar are FAR worse than the insulin needles and still not too bad. Some people say that you can't feel the insulin needles. I can, but it's really not bad. I promise.

ladybugsamom · August 2017

It seems like if I drink water throughout the night it helps with my fasting numbers. My doctor recommended more exercise because working out causes our muscles to pull sugar from our blood which will help lower blood sugars as well. I want to do more walking, but here in AZ - being outside this time of year is a no-no. Maybe I need to break down and get a gym membership until it cools off in November.

platanogal · August 2017

melarowan said:

I want to preface this whole thing with the statement that I'm no expert. I've been living/learning GD life for about 16 weeks now. I feel like I've hit a lot of bumps along the way, but I've learned a lot too. I like connecting with other GD mommas so we can share info back and forth.

I really beat myself up at first for the fasting numbers. I've had to accept that those numbers are mostly out of my control. I've taken to eating the Kirkland brand protein bars ($17.99/box of 20, fudge and cookie dough flavors) as my before bed treat and it doesn't seem to impact my fasting like carb-y snacks would. Good on the walking! I think it makes more of an impact on the post-meal numbers, and not as much the fasting numbers, but it's still a good thing to do. I have a really hard time walking (so many other issues) but I'll be starting PT in the pool on Friday. Swimming was recommended by my doc as an alternative and in this summer heat, I'm all over that!!

As for insulin, I am prone to fainting and really hate needles. The finger sticks that you have to do to test blood sugar are FAR worse than the insulin needles and still not too bad. Some people say that you can't feel the insulin needles. I can, but it's really not bad. I promise.

Those costco protein bars are so good! We haven't bought them in a while but before I was pregnant I would cut them in half and snack on them... they kind of taste like candy

platanogal · August 2017

Another easy meal or snack option are protein shakes. I make my own with protein powder and have that for breakfast during the work week. It's not thhhhaaatt filling but you can add chia seeds and spinach to make it slightly more filling. An hr to an hr and a half after that I'll usually eat a serving or nuts or cheese and I'm okay until lunch. I'm guessing as I progress with this pregnancy I'll want more to eat.

platanogal · August 2017

Gd check in!
Starting insulin tonight for my high fasting numbers. Wish me luck! I was offered insulin or glyburide and chose insulin bc the medication doesn't cross the placenta like glyburide does.
Accidently poked my thumb at the dieticians office when she was showing my how to inject my belly..I don't think she found it as amusing as I did.

I also had my nt ultrasound this week and the baby is measuring 3 days ahead. New due date is Feb 21 and I guess that technically puts me at 13 weeks alongwhich is strange. I'm a little worried that the baby grew so fast bc of the gd, but hopefully that's normal.

ladybugsamom · August 2017

*lurking from March*
@platanogal I'll be starting my insulin tonight, too. My fasting numbers are in the 120's so hopefully this helps but doesn't bottom me out overnight. I have a follow-up appointment for nutritional counseling next week.

platanogal · August 2017

@ladybugsamom good luck tonight! You'll be so proud of yourself after the first injection.

I was started on 4 units but my fasting numbers were still high, called the doctors office and they told me to bump it up to 6 tonight... and if that doesn't help bump it up to 8 in a couple nights.
I was pretty discouraged after seeing my post insulin numbers, but I guess it takes a minute to find the right dosage for your body. Oh well.

ladybugsamom · August 2017

@platanogal My fasting # was still high this morning, so I don't think my nightly dose (10) is enough. We'll see how it goes over the next few days. I'm sure they'll be adjusting my levels often...they want to see me weekly for a while.

platanogal · August 2017

@ladybugsamom weekly appointments seem tough, I'm at every 2 weeks for now.

I believe my doctor said towards the end of my pregnancy I'll have to come in for twice weekly baby stress tests... they should probably change it to a mom stress test. I'm going to need one if I have to haul my butt to their office in addition to my regular obgyn appointments!

ladybugsamom · August 2017

@platanogal Yes, I'm weekly right now, but hope to go to every two weeks once they get my insulin dose adjusted well enough. They said I'll need those "mom" stress tests a couple times a week towards the end, too. Standard protocol for us diabetic mamas, I guess.

platanogal · August 2017

I still haven't reached my correct insulin dosage... will probably need to push to 10 units tonight... and I started at 4 last week.

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