Gestational Diabetes

I'm so upset...I'm 30+ weeks pregnant and found out not only did I fail the 1 hr but miserably failed the 3 hr tests. Sooo...Now on top of managing a 2 yr old, working full time, dr appts, etc...I now am adding to the list running to nurses and dietitians.

For those who have had or have now GD, how bad are the food restrictions?? What should I expect when I meet with the nurse and the dietician?? I want to prepare myself for what I'm in store for.

Thank you

Gestational Diabetes

It wasn't that terrible. I actually saw an endocrinologist. It's was annoying at first I had to go every week, then I controlled with diet and only needed to go every 2 weeks. They checked my blood pressure and a bunch of things at the first appt, then I had to log my meals and test my sugars 3x a day. The numbers seemed high at first, but with time I had it controlled through diet. Basically avoid sugars and white flours. You really need to watch your sugars and basically pair your sugars (let's say a fruit) with a protein (let's say string cheese or peanut butter)

Re: Gestational Diabetes

With the exception of most sweets, you can eat whatever you want. It's more about having smaller well balanced meals.

I missed ice cream terribly and cheated a few times.

Gestational Diabetes

Thanks girls...This makes me feel a little better. I eat pretty well now. My downfall is too many carbs, but I'm not a sweets person to begin with. So we'll see how this pans out.

Gestational Diabetes

I'm almost 32w and have been dealing with it since 13w. I only had to see the nutritionist 2x and just bring a log of my #'s to my regular doctor appointments for the dr to review. It's pretty much just balancing your meals - especially protein and carbs. I test 4x a day (when I wake up and 2 hrs after meals). I do cheat, probably more than I should but the doctors have been very pleased with all but my fasting numbers. I just started taking metformin at night to control my fasting #'s.

Once you get a hang of what you can and can't eat, it gets easier. The fingerpricks are nothing. That was something I was terrified about but you barely feel a thing.

Gestational Diabetes

Double Post

Message edited 1/14/2014 8:05:14 PM.

Gestational Diabetes

That was my other fear were the finger pricks...I have a thing with needles and am terrified to stick myself! Ahh...This whole thing is really making me wish this baby comes early. Thank god I only have 10 more weeks to go!

Re: Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

LOL That is so funny! Yeah I'm dreading the diet too. I definitely don't eat like a slob, but I'm finally like yeah...I'm pregnant and don't have to be so stringent on what I eat. And then bam...I get GD!

Re: Gestational Diabetes

The diet it is not that bad but is low carb whoever it wasn't far off from what I normally ate! The hardest part was staying away from sweets. I WAS allowed to have a 30 carb snack before bed and made it a Klondike bar or ice cream sandwich! Hey it fit the carb count so I had it!

Ok and the other very annoying part is you have to go for 8 million NST tests toward the end of your pregnancy. For the last 6-8 weeks you have to go to the ob 2x a week for specially monitoring calle a non-stress test. Oy vey, this was hard while working and had to take so much time off bc my dr was 30 min away from my job and always running behind on their appt!

Re: Gestational Diabetes

Re: Gestational Diabetes

It's not that bad. You will learn quickly what makes your blood sugar high. Everyone is different.

I could eat an orange and my sugar would go high, but a small bowl of ice cream didn't have any effect.

The most annoying part is testing your blood multiple times a day, but I didn't find the diet restrictions too bad.

Re: Gestational Diabetes

It really varies from person to person with regards to how easy it is to control.

With my DD my GD was BAD. It really didn't matter what I ate, my glucose numbers were terrible. I had to go on insulin 4X/day and I was constantly adjusting my insulin levels and diet the entire pregnancy. I had it under control but it was a lot of trial and error and work.

With regards to diet, I had to count "total carbs" and was limited to 15g carbs at breakfast, a 15g carb snack in the morning, 30g carbs at lunch, 15g carbs mid afternoon snack, 45g carbs at dinner and a 30g carb snack at night. No dairy or fruit I the mornings since it spiked my sugars. You get realllllly savvy at reading food labels, that's for sure!

With my DS my GD wasn't as bad so I was able to control it through mostly diet and I didn't need to be overly restrictive like I was when pregnant with my DD. I took insulin only before bed because my morning numbers were slightly elevated, not much.

Both times though I found that what worked one week in terms of food or insulin didn't always work the next. Because your hormones are constantly changing throughout pregnancy so is your GD. By the end of both pregnancies my GD was practically done. With my DD I actually started becoming hypoglycemic the last few weeks. It was crazy. As soon as I delivered both babies, my GD was gone immediately.

I won't lie, it's hard at first........especially if you have it bad like I did. I failed my 1 hr so bad they didn't even make me take the 3 hr, I went straight to an endocrinologist. But once you get in the groove it's easier to manage the GD, and it's only temporary. Also, if you need it, don't be afraid of the insulin. I was heartbroken when they told me I needed insulin shots, and scared, but it wasn't bad at all and it made controlling my GD so much easier and less stressful.

Hang in there, it will all be ok. Good luck!

Re: Gestational Diabetes

as someone who had gd and now has diabetes i will tell you its easier as a pregnant person because you can focus on whats good for baby. You can find alternatives for foods you want and cant really have.

FM me with any questions!!