Hellobee Boards

I have gestational diabetes, but my husband is a Type 1 diabetic and I have a family history of Type 2 diabetes. What my doctor has me do is record my fasting glucose levels and then record my glucose 2 hours after each meal. I'm on an 1800 calorie diet (honestly, I eat more calories than that, but I watch my carb intake). I record everything in a Moleskine notebook and my midwife looks at my glucose levels at every appointment. It was a pain in the butt at first, but I honestly feel better on the diet and watching my carb intake. It definitely makes me appreciate sweets a lot more now that I can't have them all the time!

@Happygal: I check my fasting glucose, then have a glass of OJ with my vitamin, get ready for work, and then I eat my breakfast. I count two hours after I finish eating. So for breakfast, I stopped eating at 8:06 this morning, which means I'll check my blood sugar somewhere in the neighborhood of 10:15-10:30 unless I have a meeting. Then I'll eat my snack.

I should be able to go off the diet once I deliver if my glucose levels are good once I give birth. I'm much more aware of how I eat now though, so I hope the healthier habits will stick. Once I started the diet, I lost about 6-8 pounds, but I've gained it back now at 38 weeks, 3 days. When I'm pregnant again, I will start counting from the start.

I'm not diabetic, but my husband is an insulin dependent Type II. Just want to give you some support. It can be difficult in watching what you eat and finger pricking often but most of the time it's pretty easy to deal with.

I was pre-diabetic before pregnancy, and I now have gestational diabetes. I test 4 times a day - fasting, and two hours after meals. I was on metformin, which worked great for a long time. Then I started having high fasting levels. My doctor said it was time for insulin, but we're still trying to figure out the dosage. I take it once at night.

I had gestational diabetes with my first (diagnosed at 28 weeks) and again with my second (diagnosed at 18 weeks). With my second the doctors required me to have lab work (blood and 24 hour urine) done to determine whether or not I was pre-diabetic, and I was not.

Every doctor's requirements are different. I prick my finger 4x a day - fasting and 1 hour after each meal (timing starts as soon as I start my meal). I have to keep my fasting score 90 or under, and after meal scores have to be 130 or under. More lenient doctors will allow a fasting score of 95 or under and a score of 120 or lower 2 hours after meals. With both pregnancies I have been able to control my diabetes with diet. When diabetes is detected earlier in the pregnancy, most doctors will expect you to go on medication since it will be harder for your body to keep up as your pregnancy progresses. I have to go in for an ultrasound every month to check on the baby and make sure he is growing healthy and strong.

I am pretty strict with myself and stick to a diet that is very low in carbs. My meals consist of a protein and lots of vegetables, no grains. In between meals is when I can drink my glass of milk, eat fruit, and indulge if I have a sweet tooth. What I have learned is that metabolism plays a huge role in your sugar scores. The key is to keep your metabolism going throughout the day and not to let it drop. The best way to maintain your metabolism is to eat every 2 hours. I find it best to consume carbs in between meals when my metabolism is high. That way the carbs will not spike my sugar scores, and usually it lowers my scores.

While I haven't been the biggest fan of having GD, I have learned to live with in during my pregnancy. I am forced to be in charge of my health and eat a well balanced, nutritious diet. I gained about 15 lbs with my first and have only gained 8 lbs with my second (currently 33 weeks along). I am in the best shape of my life, and yet I have this huge belly sticking out. It is very easy to lose the weight after baby arrives. The hardest part for me was to maintain it since I was given the freedom to eat to my heart's content.