Gestational diabetes - December 2023

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

Unfortunately we seem to have quite a cohort of gestational diabetes. Thought I would start a specific thread for asking questions and venting.

kmw611 · December 2023

Love this. Today is my first full day of testing because my pharmacy is terrible and took 3 days to fill my prescription. I made my husband do the lancet the first time because I’m a wuss😂 Since I was provided the bare minimum information from my midwife and I eat fairly healthy as it is I figured I would eat normally today and see how it goes. So far all my numbers have been within normal limits. How’s it going for everyone else?

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@kmw611 because I failed the 3 hour the week of Thanksgiving so with that delay it took over two weeks for me to meet with my diabetes nurse so I did the same thing as you. I made a few simple changes (only drinking water, avoiding super simple carbs like potato chips or sweets) but otherwise ate what I would normally do to see what my numbers do. All the while my numbers did really well for the most part but I did have a few meals where I was like ok…maybe I do have diabetes lol. I’ve been tracking now for almost 4 weeks. My fasting number has trended upwards the last week which freaked me out but my nurse said is pretty typical the further you get into pregnancy. It was high 70’s to mid 80’s but for the last week my fasting has been low to mid 90’s. Last night though I did a protein shake as my bedtime snack and it was back in the 80’s so I’m crossing my fingers that I can avoid insulin. The weirdest thing though is I have lost about 4 pounds. I am not sure what to make of that.

cmill828 · December 2023

I got my supplies on Thursday, still getting the hang of everything. My numbers have been good, with the exception of my morning numbers. There have been a few mornings where I've woken up to 110/120s. I'd love to consult the dr and see if this is just a result of still getting over being sick, but my mfm consult isn't until next thursday. Everything else has seems to be okay. I did just buy the book Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, which was recommended to me by my doula. I'm hoping I get some good info from that to help me on the journey.

kmw611 · December 2023

@ceclarlinetlo I haven’t figured out what to do for my fasting number yet. It’s meant to be under 95 which it has been but also I generally don’t eat after dinner so I’m fasting for 12+ hours usually which I’m reading is too much. I read fasting numbers are the hardest to maintain and a lot of the time rise the farther along we get.

@cmill828 I just started that book as well. Hoping it’ll give me more info on what I should be doing if my numbers do get outside the normal range.

m2b2024 · December 2023

Well, I got my GDM diagnosis today and that first phone call from the nurse was so overwhelming! Picking up my supplies from pharmacy this week and an education appointment in a couple days. I just feel so overwhelmed about it all!! Thankful to have this group 💕

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@m2b2024 I was really overwhelmed at first too. Hang in there 💜

m2b2024 · December 2023

@cmill828 - who is the author of that book?

kmw611 · December 2023

@m2b2024 sorry you’re here too but I’m glad we all have eachother for the support and tips. Lily Nichols wrote the Real Food for Gestational Diabetes book. I’m only 5 chapters in but it’s really informative so far.

kmw611 · December 2023

Had to cancel my appointment today because DS1 was up all night throwing up😫 I asked that the midwife call me during my appointment time if possible because I have questions and thankfully she did. She said she’s happy with my numbers as is even the fasting ones that are in the 90s but suggested a protein shake a little before bedtime since my sleep schedule is so messed up with my hands hurting/going numb all night. I bought premier protein powder because it was available at target for pickup on my husbands way home and holy moly is that stuff sweet😳 I just tried it with milk because I didn’t want to wake the kids with the blender and had to fight my way through it lol. Anyone use protein powder for shakes? Tips?

cmill828 · December 2023

@kmw611 I just ordered a variety sample pack of Boobie Protein powder, just waiting for it to arrive. I'll let you know how it is!

hedgepig · December 2023

I'm camped out at the lab foe the next 3 hours doing my glucose challenge. Wish me luck! And I am sooooo thirsty that i am actually looking forward to the glucola 😭

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@Kmw611 do you have an Aldi near you? I like their protein shakes. 30g protein, 5g carbs (1g sugar). Not overly sweet.

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@hedgepig good luck!

hedgepig · December 2023

Looks like I go here now 😬 Two of my results from my 3 hr test today were high, so I guess I will hear from the nurse educator on Monday ...

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@hedgepig I’m sorry but welcome to the club! That was me too. Fasting and 3 hr we’re fine but 1 hr and 2 hour got me. (2 hour by 1 only point 🙃).

kmw611 · December 2023

@cmill828 I looked at that one, can’t wait to hear what you think.

@hedgepig sorry you’re here now too but welcome to the club.

@ceclarlinetlo I wish we had an Aldi! I loved shopping there when I lived back east.

The premade shakes sound so much easier but the cost on most of them is so high compared to the powder.

If anyone needs a yummy lunch/dinner idea I’ve been having a bean and bacon soup this week and had great numbers with it.

m2b2024 · December 2023

I'll have to check out those Aldi shakes!!
I am feeling a little better after my education appointment with the nurse. She noticed how overwhelmed I was and really took her time with me going through everything!

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

I am really struggling with my appetite lately. Since my diagnosis and changing my diet I have lost about 4 pounds which they told me happens sometimes but I have a hard time imagining I’ll gain weight again if I can’t start making myself eat more. It’s hard to eat generally less appetizing food when you aren’t hungry.

kmw611 · December 2023

@ceclarlinetlo What kinda of meals are you making? I tried to keep things as normal as possible this last week with smaller carb portions to see how my numbers are and so far it’s working alright. And obviously not snacking as much between meals. I’m a grazer so eating set meals at set times has been hard. I made these cheddar bacon egg bites yesterday so I don’t have to cook every breakfast that are pretty good and filling. I cut them up and put them on a small tortilla as a breakfast burrito this morning and had a 110 @2 hours. Not terrible but it wasn’t a low carb tortilla.

Maybe we can share some recipes/meal ideas that are working for us? Hopefully something will sound appealing to you!

For me I’ve been doing 2 eggs, sausage or bacon and toast or a tortilla in the morning, a soup for lunch bean and bacon has been my best number, and dinners we did elk tacos; baked ziti (I did a small portion with extra cheese); kielbasa with rice and broccoli; air fried chicken breasts with cheddar quinoa and broccoli. The quinoa was terrible. That was my first time cooking it. I’m doing a protein shake 30-45 minutes before bed. The premier protein chocolate shake is really good but super sweet if you do 2 scoops like suggested so I switched to just one scoop and it’s much better.

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

I saw my MFM today and she wants me to start metformin. Idk why that makes me feel like a failure when I know is has absolutely nothing to do with me but I’m still bummed.

cmill828 · December 2023

@kmw611 So far, I really like the Boobie protein products! I got the variety pack of their superfood cakes and protein shakes. The protein cakes are great, especially when I want something sweet and guilt free, the fudge brownie is better than the cinnamon roll. I've only tried one flavor of protein so far, the vanilla chai, but I liked it! It's definitely kind of grainy, but it didn't bother me too much.

kmw611 · December 2023

@ceclarlinetlo ugh I’m sorry! You’re definitely not a failure, the numbers aren’t entirely within our control❤️

@cmill828 a cinnamon roll sounds really good right now😂 I like the the protein flavors feel like a cheat but are actually ok. I got a milk frother to help mix mine so it wasn’t so grainy.

hedgepig · December 2023

I picked up my glucometer and saw the nurse today to learn how to use them! Of course I had sushi for lunch and then went to my appt so my first number was high 🙃 But overall I am looking forward to seeing how my numbers look and where I stand.

cmill828 · December 2023

So I had my consultation with MFM today, and I feel really good about it! She said my numbers are nearly there, so she doesn't want to put me on any meds. She gave me some tips to implement over the next few weeks so that when we meet for my 32wk scan, we can review my numbers and see if I can avoid meds/insulin altogether. I'm very motivated to make this happen so I can avoid induction at 39 weeks. It's not all hope lost for a natural birth after all!

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@cmill828 I am glad you a feeling a little better about things now. I have a handful of friends who had gestational diabetes (even some who had to take insulin) have natural births. You definitely are not out of the running!

lizarina11 · December 2023

I just found out I'm in this club too today.
I'm pretty upset. It's 4 days before Christmas of course I was eating some good stuff!
I was fine with my first. But I also have gestational hypertension.

I'm American but live in Amsterdam and they are pretty nonchalant here and I don't have any appointment till Jan 2. Just a phone conversation, I don't know if they will make me check my sugars or not.

And since I have now both high BP and gb it sounds like now I'm even more likely to get preeclampsia. Has anyone heard anything about this?

dinomeetsjedi · December 2023

@lizarina11 Preeclampsia and GD are both caused by the placenta. But since you are only at gestational hypertension stage, it could just be caused by your GD. High blood sugars can increase your blood pressure, but doesn't necessarily mean you will get preeclampsia. Be aware of the signs of preeclampsia and definitely follow your provider's advice. Getting your blood sugars in range could possibly moderate your hypertension. How far along are you?

lizarina11 · December 2023

I'm 27 weeks tomorrow and have been on the high blood pressure meds since week 10. So probably Something is up with my plesenta?

dinomeetsjedi · December 2023

Yes, your placenta gave you your gestational diabetes, but it's just the way the combination of you and your partner's gene's react in your body. It's nothing "wrong" exactly, even if the side effects are unpleasant. If you've had high blood pressure since 10 weeks, your hypertension is likely not being caused by preeclampsia or your placenta. It's likely you have hypertension outside of pregnancy and your pregnancy just "unmasked" it. Normal hypertension can increase your risk of preeclampsia but it doesn't mean you will get it (although neither does gestational hypertension). I'm glad to hear you are 27 weeks! If your care team is aware of your risk of preeclampsia, then you are likely not in a lot of danger and the further along you get, the better it will be for your baby if you do end up getting it! Fingers crossed your pregnancy stays healthy and the hardest part is learning the GD diet!

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@lizarina11 so sorry you are dealing with it but welcome to the club. I feel you on the bad timing of diagnosis. I failed my 3 hour the day before my birthday and two days before Thanksgiving 🙃

hedgepig · December 2023

How are y'all tracking your glucose readings/food log? Any app recommendations?

cmill828 · December 2023

@hedgepig I'm logging all daily food and blood sugars in a journal, and also logging everything in MyFitnessPal to keep track of macros.

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@hedgepig I like chronometer for logging food. My insurance covered a continuous monitor so I don’t write my sugars down, I just refer back to my device log when it’s time to report them. I highly recommend anyone just see if your insurance will cover a CGM. Mine did which was surprisingly so you never know!

zobomamma · December 2023

I blacked out and slowly fell after my 3 hour and had to cancel it…. Can I refuse another on I’m sick of needles and getting poked… first time mom age 20

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@zobomamma - I’m sorry that happened! Technically speaking as a patient you have the right to refuse any test you want. Gestational diabetes though is really important to diagnose and treat. If it goes undiagnosed and uncontrolled it can cause a lot of serious issues for yourself and the baby. I wouldn’t recommend skipping the test personally. I know some people choose to track their blood sugars for two weeks instead of the 3 hr, but that means you have to poke/prick your finger 4x a day for two weeks.

cmill828 · December 2023

@zobomamma Ugh, I'm so sorry! Something similar happened to my sister and they let her "accept" the gd diagnosis without making her test again. So basically they just put on your documents that you have it and treat you like you have it for the rest of your pregnancy. While that option (if your ob allows it) will let you forego redoing the test, it does mean you're stuck poking yourself 4x a day for the rest of your pregnancy

I'm sorry.

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

I weighed myself at home this morning and I am still losing weight - about 5-6 pounds since I changed my diet for the GD. The idea of eating anymore than I already am is just 🤢 I’m going to ask if instead of 3 meals and 3 snacks I can eat like 8 big snacks through out the day or something. So I’m eating less at a time but overall maybe more than I am now.

hedgepig · December 2023

If anyone is usually a cereal eater, I have been eating Magic Spoon, which is a grain free, 0 g sugar, low carb, high protein (13 g) cereal that tastes great and totally tastes sweet and not yucky/stevia/artificially sweetened. I know you can mail order it, but ours is at our local grocery outlet, where I've been getting it half price.

ceclarlinetlo · December 2023

@hedgepig ooooo! I am going to check this out. I love cereal. I would kill for a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch right now lol.

hedgepig · December 2023

@ceclarlinetlo I'm not usually a big cereal eater, but I have a bowl first thing in the morning every morning. I especially like the cocoa and fruity 😋

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