Gestational Diabetes Support

bigworldlittleg · April 1

Many of us have already taken the GD test or will be soon. Starting this thread for anyone who is diagnosed with GD. This can be a place where you share how you're managing it, what's working and what's not working, etc.

ruthiedoberenz · April 3

Guess I am the first member of this group (lol) - this is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what this means! Remaining positive and will just do what the doctors tell me to!

linh18 · April 4

I don't have GD this pregnancy, but did with my last. Just want to encourage you, it's most likely not because you did something one way or another. My pregnancy has been pretty similar to my last one diet wise, activity wise and even beginning weight wise, and I just didn't develop GD this time. So don't beat yourself up over anything (which tends to be my tendency as a mom when everything isn't 'normal').

Listen to your doctor's recommendations and you and your baby should be just fine. 😊

watermelonsunshine · April 30

I found out I also have GD. Kind of worried because now I’ve gone 30 weeks not knowing I have it… but I’ll talk with my dr more later this week.

ruthiedoberenz · April 30

@watermelonsunshine Let yourself feel all the things. Let me know if you want to chat - happy to give you my cell! I just had my first growth scan for it yesterday and then saw my specialist. It’s ok to also feel overwhelmed and super shitty about it - I went through about a week of being really teary and weepy. It’s totally manageable and you and baby are going to be great!

watermelonsunshine · April 30

Thank you so so much. I keep crying this morning too. I know it can “just happen” but I’m still kind of struggling with the idea I did something wrong and hurt the baby.

I am really glad you and your baby are doing well.

ruthiedoberenz · April 30

@watermelonsunshine yup - I cried A LOT! I think my biggest emotion was that I felt like I wasn’t the safest place for him anymore which was really hard (and not true)! Reframing it as a side effect vs a complication is really helpful. Let me know if you have any questions at all! Your doc will most likely get you going with a glucose monitor and you’ll test four times a day (fasted, 2 hours after breakfast, 2 hours after lunch and 2 hours after dinner - all should be under 120!!). It’s such a bummer but it’s super manageable!

watermelonsunshine · April 30

Thank you! That’s really helpful. I am hoping I feel more in control after I meet with my doctor. Right now it feels so scary, and anxiety makes it feel like it’s all my fault, and like if I can’t even take good care of my baby in the womb, how will I be a good mom. 🤦‍♀️

ruthiedoberenz · April 30

@watermelonsunshine not gonna say you shouldn’t feel that way because that’s exactly the way I felt!! Just know it’s super normal to be upset. But, the truth is it is super random and you’re going to be able to control & manage it and be a great mom!! We can do hard things!!

routtymama · April 30

@watermelonsunshine I am so sorry to hear the news! I love what @ruthiedoberenz said about framing it as a side effect and not a complication is so wise and true. I think feeling all the big feelings is totally normal and part of the journey. Just remember that you didn’t do anything wrong and couldn’t have done anything to prevent it, so don’t beat yourself up about that. You are a good mama because you will take this information and do what you need to do to take care of your baby and yourself. I’m so glad you and @ruthiedoberenz to walk with through this curve ball. You both are rockstars. We are here for you both, too. 💛

watermelonsunshine · May 1

Thank you both so much 🥹

@ruthiedoberenz I am going to message you! I found out apparently I don’t eat enough carbs either (I think I remember you mentioned that for yourself). So weird.

ruthiedoberenz · May 2

@watermelonsunshine yes!! So weird. It really shows you though - the placenta is just whacky and making choices hahaha

watermelonsunshine · May 4

@ruthiedoberenz have you had any issues with low glucose?? I didn’t realize that could be what makes me feel lightheaded. I thought it was just pregnancy. But apparently low glucose

ruthiedoberenz · May 4

@watermelonsunshine yes! My numbers in the morning are always on the lower side. I haven’t had anything too low though. They say to drink some juice and retest in 15 and do that until it gets back up!

watermelonsunshine · May 5

That is good to know. They had told me what to do if numbers were too high (go for a walk), but hadn’t mentioned if too low and I hadn’t really thought of it being that way. I got a CGM and it sets off a loud alarm when my level goes too low. So far I have only had levels that are too low so idk.

ruthiedoberenz · May 5

@watermelonsunshine I would definitely contact your doctor and ask them about that! My dietician said that she really wanted me to avoid being too low! I’d make sure you let them know and have them tell you what you need to be doing!! My fasting numbers are usually between 72 - 76 which is low but not “too low”. They told me they don’t want me under 70!

I am just testing four times a day, two hours after every meal and once fasted in the morning (using a glucose monitor that just pricks my finger).

Walking definitely helps regulate but extensive exercise actually can raise your blood sugars so I’d just be mindful if testing after a workout! I’ve found that drinking a ton of water throughout the day is the best way to make sure your body is processing everything well! I drink about 110 oz on average.

Since I was diagnosed over a month ago, I’ve only had four “spikes” and each time they were after a meal that was super super carb heavy so made sense! I feel like GD is so weird and I know there are a lot of false positives but I figured it’s better just to try and eat as healthy as possible and do all the things. If you’re able to really regulate with diet - awesome! I think it gets tough when you need to be medicated.

I’d definitely chat with your doc and let them know you’re low!!!

watermelonsunshine · May 5

Thank you so much!! I will do that. Oh I messaged you in your inbox if you want to chat more that way instead.

I also read the CGMs can give “compression lows” like if the bed is pressing against the sensor while sleeping so that’s interesting too. I might have to get a kind like you have, to double-check the numbers…. You’re brave dealing with the needle sticks.

And it’s awesome you have kept it so well-controlled!

I honestly have been shocked by the diet plan the dr gave me because it is so much MORE food and so many more carbs than I normally would eat in a day. I measure everything out and try to eat what it tells me, and it gives me a stomachache. It feels like way too much food. I’m hoping the dietician can help me make adjustments that are less one-size-fits-all.

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