Gestational Diabetes

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@mcgeeva I hope it goes well!

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

@mcgeeva This is my second and this pregnancy just felt different. I know all pregnancies are different but I am very intuitive and in touch with my body (how corny does that sound? haha) and it just felt off. I will say, my fitness level and eating habits are much different (read: worse) than they were two years ago, and that's obviously been a big part of it. I also have some diabetes in my family. It was because of this mix of things that I figured I'd developed it this time around.
Since getting my positive result, I'm eating a lot more like I used to and even without exercising, I can feel the difference, even though it's only been a week.
All that to say, count your carbs until your test and cross your fingers.

Good luck!

mcgeeva · September 2018

Girl counting carbs is my worst nightmare I live for them! @hoosiermama-2 i was just told I can only have eggs and sausage for breakfast nothing else.

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@mcgeeva Counting carbs is my worst nightmare too! I totally get it! I honestly used to have days where I was so made about my diagnosis. Now, I do pretty good as long as I'm at home because it's so much easier to control carbs here. Going out is not super fun.

CecilB93 · September 2018

@mcgeeva no symptoms here, truly 100% shocked by the diagnosis honestly! I also hate counting carbs, pasta is my favorite thing, so I've been missing that big time. Also, there are definitely other options for breakfast besides eggs and sausage...that wouldn't fly with me. One, I hate sausage. Two, I can't eat the same thing every day, so I'd eventually start skipping if I was told that, which is worse...I do Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt. Favorite flavors of mine are Orange Cream and Vanilla with Chocolate Chunks.

I also found a low carb pancake recipe if anyone's interested! I actually haven't made it in a long time. Of course you'll need sugar free or low carb syrup, too, or other toppings, but the pancake itself is pretty easy to make and never gave me high reading!

prudence9-2 · September 2018

Hey @mcgeeva haven’t seen you around TB in a while! Hope your pregnancy is going well.

I was tested earlier because of my age and I think that also because my mom had placenta abruption (though it was’t because of diabetes).

I was totally shocked to find out I had GD. And it’s also a pretty bad one. But even when I have high numbers, I can never tell.

And you could def eat other things for breakfast. But yeah, counting carbs is a huge pain. I can’t wait to have pizza, pasta and potatoes again!!!

mcgeeva · September 2018

@cecilb93 well I don't have it yet but they literally told me I couldn't have yogurt, carbs etc before my test which they have never said to me before so little confused.

mcgeeva · September 2018

prudence9-2 hi!!!! How are you????

Pregnancy is good. Scared this baby is going to fall out or something is going to happen early. That's about it! Feel like I'm running out of time to get stuff done. I had a partial placenta abruption but never knew that GD was linked with that as well. I'm sorry you got GD. Seems like BS after all that we went through to have babies!

prudence9-2 · September 2018

@mcgeeva I think that one of the causes of placenta abruption could be diabetes. Glad your pregnancy going well! Hope you will test negative for GD on Monday! I was tested so early!! Before 11 weeks!!! (I’m 29 weeks today!)
and yeah, after everything we went thru, GD is nothing.

it was funny though when I first started insulin injections the nurse asked me when I can come so she’d show me how to inject... and I was like: “I’ve done IVF I think I can figure out the insulin injections”

mcgeeva · September 2018

Wow @prudence9-2 that is super early! Girl we are pros! lol

prudence9-2 · September 2018

@mcgeeva hard to believe that 2.5 years ago I had needles phobia!

CecilB93 · September 2018

Being sick and having GD sucks...I have zero desire to move, so meals that usually work just fine for me have put me over the last couple days, including my fasting number this morning. And they just increased my insulin on Wednesday so I know that's not the issue (Thursday fasting reading was fine). Luckily, my herbal teas and sugar free cough drops don't affect my sugars! But man I feel like crap. I know I was high after dinner tonight because I layed on the couch the whole time after eating, but I just have no energy.

prudence9-2 · September 2018

@CecilB93 ahh!!! That sucks!!! Hope you get better soon!

kadeephd · September 2018

Hi all -- I haven't been diagnosed with GD (yet eek) but I failed my one hour test. I have PCOS and family members with diabetes so I think it's likely I do have at least mild GD. I read back through a lot of this thread and it's been helpful. I'm considering monitoring my blood sugars just to see what is going on and make sure my levels are OK the way I am eating now, even if I take and pass the 3 hour. I've been feeling guilty about everything I've eaten since I found out I failed the first test, so it would be nice to know what is actually going on. I'm curious -- how often do you test your blood sugar and what levels do your doctors want to see? I've seen fasting morning levels below 95 and 2 hours after meals below 120. What about snacks or before bed?

@Cecilb93 I hope you feel better!

CecilB93 · September 2018

@kadeephd thanks! Definitely trying to feel better lol. I only test 4 times a day, once in the morning when I wake up and then after each meal. For levels, my doctor has said fasting (8-10 hours between evening snack and testing) should be 90 or lower, and for meals it's 2 hours after the first bite should be 120 or lower. I don't remember @mamajudec2018 and @prudence9-2 fasting levels, but I know they both test 1 hour after the first bite and have to be under 140. It really varies between practices/doctors. And, as a side note, I did a day where I tested after 1 hour and after 2 hours, based on mamajudec2018 and prudence9-2's rules for one of my meals I would have "passed" (under 140 after an hour), but based on my drs rules I "failed" (I was over 120 after 2 hours). Not sure how they decide what rules to use but I am curious.

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@CecilB93 I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well. It's so hard to keep up with our strict diet and activity stuff when you just want easy, calm, and relaxation. I hope you are able to feel better soon!

@kadeephd I think @CecilB93 answered all of your questions. My fasting numbers have to be below 95 but are typically in the 70's. Let me know if you have any other questions that I missed!

kadeephd · September 2018

@CecilB93 @mamajudec2018 Thanks! The variation is interesting. I think that if I'm going to have trouble it'll be with the post-meal numbers, which is how I assume it is for you @mamajudec2018. I had a blood test around 18 weeks and my fasting number was 60.

CecilB93 · September 2018

@kadeephd once I figured out what works for me, my post meal numbers are actually easier for me! My body seems to have issues with fasting, which is why I'm on insulin. Even with healthy, low carb snacks before bed, before insulin my fasting number would be anywhere from 98-115. It really just depends on your body as far as which numbers are easier or harder to control without medicine. Meal numbers will take some learning, trial and error, and a lot of frustration in the beginning, but you'll figure it out! Hopefully you just pass the 3 hour though and don't have GD!

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@kadeephd Yes, I don't have any fasting number problems at all. But breakfast is a bear for me. Like a month ago, my doctor added the lowest dose of glyburide to help me with breakfast which has been huge for me but I still can only have 22 carbs with lots of protein to be good on my breakfast numbers. I'm not on any insulin. Definitely hoping you just pass your test and don't have to deal with this! I have a family history of diabetes too so I totally get it.

prudence9-2 · September 2018

@kadeephd my fasting number has to be 94 and below. But like @CecilB93 I have fasting number issues. I agree with her that after meal numbers are easier.

With that said, I’m on 4 insulin injections per day. And unfortunately I have many elevations lately. But the most elevations are with the fasting numbers.

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

@kadeephd My morning target is less than 95. Post-meal is less than 120 after 2 hours, or if I need to test early (because of a meeting or church or something), less than 140 after 1 hour.

My go-to snacks before bed:

slice of Trader Joe's whole grain bread, toasted, with TJ's almond butter. Maybe a cup of soy milk.
Babybel cheese with a few crackers

kadeephd · September 2018

Thanks for the info, everyone. My doctor gave me the OK to monitor my blood sugar for a week. Then we'll go over it together at an appointment and make sure everything looks ok. I have to test my fasting levels and then two hours after each meal. They didn't say what numbers I should be hoping to see, but I guess since this is more a test to see if everything is OK they don't want me to change my diet too much. I feel much better now that I'll have a sense of what is going on.

prudence9-2 · September 2018

@kadeephd hoping your numbers will be good so you wont have to change too much.

AFM... I’m really frustrated. My numbers are really bad. And I don’t think they increase the insulin doses fast enough. Yesterday 3/4 bad numbers. This morning so far 1/2 bad number. And I eat less and hungry after some meals but my numbers keep going up.
I’m on 4 insulin injections every day. And every week we up some doses. And seems like no matter how much I inject before bedtime my fasting number is bad.

CecilB93 · September 2018

@prudence9-2 I'm so sorry you're having issues with your numbers

have you discussed increasing your insulin more/quicker with your doctor?

AFM still effing sick/coughing my lungs up, but I was told by my OB that Robitussin DM (among a lot of other options of course) is safe, AND when I went to cvs to pick up some medicine I discovered they have a sugar free version specifically for diabetics! Woo! My MFM wasn't much help, they just said don't worry too much about medicine affecting numbers since being sick affects them, just focus on getting better and controlling symptoms. So I'm glad I found something that works and will not spike my numbers!

prudence9-2 · September 2018

@CecilB93 that’s great that you found one without sugar!! Hope it helps you get better soon!

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

@prudence9-2 ugh, sorry about your numbers!!!

I'm sure you've racked your brain about it all already and I'm new to this, but we could always brainstorm some new recipes or some schedule/routine tips if it'd be helpful. I hope they can get your insulin dosage figured out soon.

tunnel · September 2018

<waves> Hi! I go here now :-( I failed my one hour and 3/4 of my 3 hr test. I was shocked! My education session is scheduled for next Thursday. I've read back through the thread and found it really helpful and reassuring. I'm sorry some of you have been dealing with this from so early on!

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

Caca! Sorry about the diagnosis but as I'm sure you've read here many times already, it's manageable and shortlived (relatively, for you and me, that is).

The biggest thing for me has been sticking to an eating schedule and watching the time, making sure I don't go too long without a snack. I eat a meal, wait two hours, test, then usually have a snack soon after testing, wait til next meal, repeat.

My go-to snacks have been:

babybel cheese & some crackers (they do sell combo packs now that have crackers included with the cheese)
trail mix (I just get the meijer brand)
Wholly guacamole single packs + a few crackers/pretzel thins
fruit + a babybel

Also, I use MyFitnessPal to track all my food--most important is the carbs, of course. My nurse said to not worry about my fat:protein:carb ratio, just the carb targets.

CecilB93 · September 2018

@tunnel sorry you've joined us, but welcome! If you've got any questions or need suggestions or just to bitch, we're here for you

hopefully you're able to manage easily with only diet changes!

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@CecilB93 I'm sorry you're still sick! I hope you start to feel better soon! I'm glad you found some meds you can take.

@tunnel I'm sorry about the diagnosis. You can do it though! Not much time left!

@prudence9-2 I'm so sorry about your numbers. Hopefully it's just one of those bad weeks that we have.

I am in the hospital until I give birth because of pre-eclampsia. So far the hospital food has been good to my numbers. I hope it stays that way! They're also letting me keep snacks in their fridge so I still get the snacks I want.

tunnel · September 2018

Do you guys use an app to track your blood sugar readings? I like MyFitnessPal for food tracking but don't see a good way to track readings.

@mamajudec2018 I'm sorry that you are in the hospital but hopefully it helps keep baby safe and inside for as long as possible.
@hoosiermama-2 thanks for those snack recommendations!

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

@tunnel My monitor has a downloadable app. The app is called OneTouch - my monitor is probably of the same name. I'm not sure if the app will sync to any monitor though, or if you can use it by manually inputting your readings... worth looking into! OneTouch, the icon is green.

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@tunnel I just use one called Blood Glucose Tracker.

CecilB93 · September 2018

@tunnel I use the same app as @hoosiemama-2, I have the One Touch Verio meter. It syncs up via Bluetooth, but you can manually insert numbers, too, so it could probably be used even if you don't have a One Touch monitor, it just wouldn't be able to sync automatically, it'd be manual. My nurse educator also gave me a little log book to fill in, I just never do until I need to send my numbers in lol

kadeephd · September 2018

I've been keeping track of my numbers and meals in a notebook. It probably makes more sense to do it in an app!

I had my first borderline high readings today

. I was hoping I'd be allowed to stop testing after my appointment next Wednesday but I don't know how the dr will decide if the numbers are good enough. It's so weird because yesterday all my readings were lower than usual and I ate a similar breakfast. Stupid inconsistent body!

mamajudec2018 · September 2018

@kadeephd Honestly, that's how GD can be. Sometimes high readings and low readings make no sense at all. It can be really frustrating.

tunnel · September 2018

I'm beyond frustrated that my provider only offers gestational diabetes nutrition counseling once a week! I couldn't go this week due to work, so I have to wait 10 days to even be told what to do!

omnommer · September 2018

*Waves* Hi y'all. I'm joining here too. Got a 202 on the 1-hour test as someone who has only gained 17 lbs so far, eats fairly low-carb and non-processed, and exercises a few times a week. As I mentioned in the weekly appt thread, there is some anecdotal evidence that low-carb/paleo folks have bigger reactions to the GD test because their bodies aren't used to the added sugars. I doubt though that a false positive would be completely because of my eating style when the reading was this high... anyways, wanted to say hi! And I'm super interested to see my numbers when I get the stuff to start tracking before/after meals, since I already eat lower-carb and have been seeing a nutritionist throughout this whole pregnancy, lol!

Just curious - do any of you have more appointments because of GD? I'm reading online that some OB's and midwives make people go in once a week with GD or do non-stress tests 1-2x per week at a certain point...

hoosiermama-2 · September 2018

@omnommer The only extra thing I will have is an ultrasound at 36 weeks.

@kadeephd Don't fret yet! I had my 30-week appointment yesterday and doc said I can go down to monitoring only four days a week, and that was after only seeing a week's worth readings.

kadeephd · September 2018

@mamajudec2018 That's definitely how it seems to me.

@hoosiermama-2 did you have any high readings during your week of monitoring? I just tested 2 hours after dinner and got 133. I thought it might be a mistake and tested again immediately, 124. Still high, but not as high. Why so much variation? It makes me distrust my monitor. thats my first time going over 120 after two hours so far.

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