https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 00:47:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-408071 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:54:57 +0000 Revel 408071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry about the diagnosis.I have no personal experience, but just chiming in that my mom had GD with both me and my sister and had natural births with both of us - no induction and no drugs. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-408065 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:52:18 +0000 BKCaribBaby 408065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey, Ladyfingers!</p> <p>I just wanted to double ditto what everyone said. I got diagnosed with GD early in my pregnancy (about Week 9). I am not even pre-diabetic although I do have a history of diabetes in my family. </p> <p>Like everyone said, you can still eat a lot things you like you've just got to portion things. Over time, you'll get to know your trigger foods. I also found that I can eat a small sweet at the end of a meal, but I've just got to load up on proteins and vegetables and make that sweet portion is not very big. That's the plan for Thanksgiving anyway. :) </p> <p>Also I've had a harder time gaining weight, but I agree with the ladies above that maybe it's not such a bad thing in the end.</p> <p>Good luck and definitely let us all know if you have anymore questions about how to manage things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-408059 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:46:48 +0000 ladyfingers 408059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: I think they'll cover the lancets and test strips, but not the 21-day program. The glucometer comes with the program, but I think that's probably a small portion of the cost. Thanks for the encouragement! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-408045 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:41:04 +0000 mrs. wagon 408045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: in fact I could just send you my meter and leftover testing supplies...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-408044 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:40:35 +0000 mrs. wagon 408044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: that's insane that your insurance doesn't cover the program. You can definitely purchase a meter and supplies cheaper elsewhere, I'm sure. I saw my meter at every drugstore around and I'm sure you could buy them online as well. The testing strips and needles I'm sure you could find online too. Good luck!!!!!! You are going to do great :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-408038 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:38:42 +0000 ladyfingers 408038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everybody for the input! I know it's a blessing in disguise, and I keep saying I need to walk and not doing it, so DH is now designated to make sure I take a 15-20 minutes walk after every meal. My doctor didn't say anything about increased visits or sonograms, so maybe that's something that comes up if I can't keep my sugars stable, or at my next appointment. Right now the frustration is trying to get an appointment booked by tomorrow. With the holidays coming up and the doctor's office not being open on Friday, we'd otherwise be looking at next week before I can get my nurse appointment and testing supplies, which he doesn't want. Plus my insurance doesn't cover the program, which is like $600 self pay, and we had just gotten everything financially to the point where we were fine, so now this extra money makes everything wonky again. Trust me, I'd rather spend this money to keep the baby safe, but it still feels overwhelming right now. </p> <p>I appreciate the tips and it sounds like this doesn't necessarily count me out of a more natural birth, so thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407849 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:30:18 +0000 mrs. wagon 407849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maisymay also taught me to walk right after a meal-- it brings your levels down like crazy! I loved to do mall days-- we'd eat something pretty yummy, then walk around and shop, and my levels would be even lower than a "normal" reading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407838 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:26:57 +0000 MaisyMay 407838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck with everything! I'm a type 2 diabetic, so I understand some of the confusion and questions that come with GD. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Also, I've posted a really good eating plan on some of the other GD threads that was developed by a nutritionist and a diabetes specialist through Kaiser. If you aren't sure when you'll get in to see a nurse, you can follow it for a few days. It should help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407834 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:24:54 +0000 Crisark 407834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was diagnosed with GD at 11 weeks.<br /> I'll be honest, I haven't changed everything I'm eating. I watch my portions and limit of course my sweets.<br /> You will discover what you can and can't eat. My highest sugar readings are in the morning normally no matter what I eat. And in the afternoon/evening I can almost eat whatever and it's fine.<br /> You'll be just fine. It's not a definite induction or c section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407829 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:23:00 +0000 BabyBruins 407829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>GD was not as big of deal as I thought it would be and I got diagnosed right before Thanksgiving, too. I didn't feel like I had to deprive myself or anything and I totally enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner. As the others have said, different foods will affect people differently. Brown rice was my super food - I could eat it and my sugar was always low after. It did not have the same effect on my sister and she had to stay away from it (she has Type 1 diabetes). Omelets and spinach salads were other staples of my daily menu. Lots of cheese and peanut butter during snacks. I probably ended up eating more food after my diagnosis, but it was all really good and less of the empty calories. I found that I really did have motivation and self-control when my baby's health was on the line. (now if I could only get that motivation and self-control back....)<br /> I did end up with a c-section, but I delivered early bc of preeclampsia and I was told it wasn't because of my GD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407816 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:20:02 +0000 autumnlove 407816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry! I got diagnosed with GD at six weeks and it was a major adjustment for me to watch what I eat. I don't drink juice or regular soda, drink milk in small portions and I only eat fruit a few times a day. I still eat carbs but in much smaller portions!</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407794 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:10:53 +0000 hummusgirl 407794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like everyone's said, it's absolutely possible to have a normal delivery. I had GD and went in to labor naturally at 39 weeks. My OB said that because my sugars were so well-controlled with just diet/exercise, I could go a week or more past my due date if it had been necessary. I ended up gaining 15 lbs total and my baby was 6 lbs 3 oz and perfectly healthy. </p> <p>Also, the diet's not that bad and it's only for a few months (though it got old toward the end). My biggest stress was that I wasn't gaining *enough* weight with the pregnancy, so my doc told me to "force feed" myself, but I still needed to watch my sugar levels, and who wants to binge eat healthy food?! </p> <p>It really is, as others pointed out, figuring out what works for you. I couldn't have any amount of raisins (of all things) without spiking my levels, but I could have a mini Pinkberry. I was also lucky to walk a TON during my pregnancy (a necessity in NYC) which helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407778 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:54:44 +0000 Clementine 407778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It definitely depends on the individual in terms of induction/c-section chances. I actually was very close to the cut off for GD. During most of my pregnancy I was very healthy. One of the bright sides of GD is that they monitor the crap out of you, so you actually get more info on the status of how you and your LO are doing, plus who doesn't love extra sono pics. Honestly, I only got induced because I was past my due date, and my fluid was increasing and baby's head was already down so my doc didn't want him to move out of that position. If you have any more questions, let me know. I also did not eat just chicken or veg. I did have sweets once in awhile and it was manageable! It did suck when I first found out, but in the end it was fine. Also my LO wasn't big at all. He was 7lbs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407751 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:42:55 +0000 mrs. wagon 407751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh also totally agree that it helps with the pregnancy weight gain!!! I gained less than 35 lbs total with my GD pregnancy. Gained about 45 with my first non-GD pregnancy. And back to pre preg weight so much faster (within 3 months) with the GD pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407749 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:41:29 +0000 mrs. wagon 407749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yup!!! Hi!!! GD is DEFINITELY not a death sentence. It's just all about testing. as @Banana taught me, a spike or two a week is not a big deal (Non-diabetics spike all the time whenever they eat sweet/carb heavy meals!). So I just ate normally and was conservative with my carbs (if a dish came with rice or bread or noodles, I'd only eat half of it... same with desserts, just half) and tested 1 hr after eating and I almost NEVER spiked. Once Wagon Sr. even tested with me and his reading was higher than mine! It's all about figuring out what will make you spike and what will not. I think @Banana also taught me that different foods will make different people spike. I could eat potatoes (french fries) with no problem at all-- a full serving with my burger (with both sides of the bun) and my levels were still within normal. </p> <p>And by no means does this ensure induction or c-section!! My OB scheduled my induction at 39 weeks but plenty of doctors do not require this. Their only concern is the baby getting too big to deliver vaginally, therefore ending up in a c-section. So I preferred an induction anyway rather than risking the c-section. But if you are monitoring the baby's growth and it stays small enough you can definitely wait to go into labor naturally. Btw my first baby was 8 lbs 1 oz, went into labor naturally on my due date and hew as born the next day. This time with GD I was induced at 39 weeks and she was the same weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407703 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:20:15 +0000 Mrs. Blue 407703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this! I know there are lots of bees that have had GD who can hopefully guide you on the way. @Mrs. Wagon:, will have some good tips, I bet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407676 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:02:33 +0000 HLK208 407676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had GD with both which was odd to me because I was eating pretty healthy and have no history of diabetes in my family. My first pregnancy, I ate mostly scrambled eggs/oatmeal with cinnamon for breakfast every day and walked--those two things kept my blood sugar in check for the day and I ate pretty normal the rest of the time but still check my blood sugar every few hours.</p> <p>I wasn't induced with my first and was with my second (the only reason they induced was high BP). My babies were 8 lbs 7 oz and 8 lbs 13 oz, so they were big but not unreasonable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407661 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:54:02 +0000 Smurfette 407661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice but I am sorry you have to deal with this. Hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407647 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:49:08 +0000 banana 407647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had GD with both of my pregnancies and I tell ya, it's almost like a blessing in disguise. Both times, I only had 5-10 lbs to lose after the baby. Even right now (3 months post partum) I'm back to my normal weight (plus I've lost 3 lbs!). And both my babies came out perfect and healthy! Being on the GD diet completely changed the way I eat and feed my family. It's basically like a Paleo diet. Low carbs, lots of protein and veggies. It's a really really healthy way to eat. And no, it's not guaranteed c-section or induction! I know lot of GD mamas who had natural births. As long as you keep your blood sugars low, you won't need to induce or have a c-section. I ended up having a c-section because my water broke early and my son was breech. Up until that point, my OB was preparing for me to have a natural birth!</p> <p>I ate basically what I was eating before, but with less carbs overall. For example, I ate an In N Out burger with no sauce (mustard instead). I had a whole thin crust pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. I had chicken/fish/beef for dinner with a small side of pasta or rice. It's actually how I SHOULD be eating ALL the time.</p> <p>It kind of forces you to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle. :) PM me if you have any questions!</p> <p>ETA: GD doesn't equal big baby. As long as you control your diet, your baby will be normal and healthy. My son was 6lbs 2 oz (born at 36 weeks) and my DD was 7lbs (born at 39 weeks). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407631 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:43:15 +0000 tororojo 407631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's totally not a guaranteed induction/c-section! A friend of mine was diagnosed w/GD but reeeeeally wanted a natural, non-hospital birth and was able to control it well enough with diet to have the birth experience she wanted (no drugs, no hospital, not even a big baby). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407627 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:42:10 +0000 Nskillet 407627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No it is not! My water broke and I had a section because baby was lodged in my pelvis this had nothing to do with my GD.</p> <p>Don't let the stigma scare you. You can still eat everything you want it just has to be in moderation and in careful combination with other foods. Example, you shouldn't eat garlic bread AND pasta.</p> <p>Feel free to PM me with questions. I was SO sad when diagnosed but ended up only gaining 7lbs my entire pregnancy with a 7lb baby it resulted in 30lbs weight loss post partum! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407625 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:40:57 +0000 WALLAROO 407625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice but I'm sorry to hear that you have to deal with this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407624 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:40:55 +0000 Mrsbells 407624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry that you "Failed the test" I dont think its a guaranteed path to being induced or having a c-section. Many people have natural births even though they had GB </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407621 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:39:59 +0000 aprk 407621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know much about GD, but I would have the same questions as you about a varied diet. Hope you can find something yummy that works for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gestational-diabetes-2#post-407613 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:37:05 +0000 ladyfingers 407613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I found out today I have gestational diabetes. I'm reading through past threads to get some insight but basically I'm at a loss for what I can eat. I really love a varied diet and lots of flavor so thinking about eating chicken and vegetables for dinner for the next 11 weeks is depressing me. </p> <p>I haven't seen a diabetes nurse yet or gotten any of my supplies (I just found out this morning and the doctor's office is trying to line up an appointment for me before Thanksgiving) but my biggest question right now is... is this a guaranteed path to induction or c-section? Or not necessarily? </p>