I recently learned I have Gestational Diabetes. I don't know what to think. I'm healthy, but my Dad is diabetic. My doctor said my case is most likely genetic. Not sure what to do and how concerned I should be? Any advice and info would be helpful.
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I don't have gestational, instead I have type 2. A lot of the same guidelines apply. Eat healthily, follow a meal plan in the dr has you on one, limit carbs (sugar, milk, fruit, bread stuff) and stick with complex carbs. Remember that if it's just gestational, it's not a forever sort of thing.
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I had GD as well. It was temporary. My doctor referred me to a diabetic counselor so I could better understand the diagnosis and get a meal plan. I was required to test my blood sugar daily (4 times/day) and log my carb intake. I shared these results with my doctor at each visit and we made adjustments as needed. It was frustrating at times, but once I found what foods worked for me I just ate the same things repeatedly.
Unfortunately, I was never able to fully control my fasting sugars (first thing in the morning) and I needed to take glyburide once per day at the minimum dosage to get my fasting sugar where my doctor was comfortable.
Post baby, the baby was checked three times in the hospital to ensure she was not diabetic. I immediately went back to a "regular" diet and was checked several times to ensure my sugars were acceptable. My doctor checked me one last time at my two week post partum follow up and I was given the all clear.
Honestly, the diagnosis was a blessing for me. My overall weight gain was 16 pounds through my pregnancy (I was overweight to begin with). And without any real effort post partum, I've lost almost 40 pounds. Being forced to get my diet under control was a huge benefit for me.
The diet was not what I expected. I was on three meals and three snacks a day. My doctor wanted me to have a carb and protein at each of these times. I was surprised at how many carbs I was instructed to eat. I had assumed being diagnosed with diabetes would mean to cut all carbs. I was very mis-educated about diabetes until I was forced to deal with it.
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Thank you so much. I plan to see a GD specialist next week.
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@Clementine: I just got a GD diagnosis last week. I still haven't seen the nutritionist yet, but my sister (Type 1 diabetes) has been helping me with a meal plan. Less carbs, less sugar, more protein. I have definitely had to alter my eating habits, but it hasn't been that bad. Regarding Thanksgiving (which is was I was worrying about!) I emailed with the nutritionist and she said I could eat whatever I wanted for Thanksgiving, but have smaller portions and eat the turkey and non-starchy vegetables first and do dessert at least an hour after the main meal.
Like @MamaG said, I am really viewing this as a blessing in disguise to revise my eating habits and get used to healthier eating now before the baby comes. From what I have heard, with proper monitoring, eating and exercise, our babies are going to be fine. -
I have my GD test in a few weeks and am worried I'll get the same diagnosis. Regular diabetes runs on both sides of my family, and I'm plus sized, both of which are risk factors.
Any advice would help alleviate my fears! -
@ Mrs. D, I'm seeing a specialist this week. I'll keep you posted on what I find out. Good luck!
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I had GD too. I had to go visit a GD specialist every week (for 30 minutes) to go over what I ate the entire week. I had a pretty strict diet (my OB is ultra conservative) and I had to follow my diet plan to a T. I also had to take my glucose levels 4 times a day and chart it along with what I ate to see what would cause the spikes and dips in my level. The charting/finger pricking wasn't too bad. You get pretty used to it. The absolute worst part of it was not being able to pig on out sweets, especially ice cream!!! Other than that, it's totally manageable. Mothers who don't control their GD tend to have bigger than average babies so to avoid that, just be very diligent with what you eat. Don't worry. It'll go by fast. Next thing you know, you'll be holding your precious baby in your arms.
Once the baby comes out, order ice cream and cake at the hospital! It'll be the tastiest thing EVER!!! I pigged out on jello, pudding, ice cream and carrot cake like never before.
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Well, I had my appointment and it was disappointing bc my GD specialist had to run out mid-way to do something for the admin up front. Suffice to say, I felt like she was rushing our appointment to make up for the time.
Anyways, she basically went over what's happening to cause GD in my body and what's the hazards if it's not controlled.
Then she gave me a glucose monitor, showed me how to use it, provided me with a sheet to track my blood levels before and after each meal (6 times, I need to check my blood). She also gave me this booklet on counting carbs and diabetes nutrition.
At the end of the appointment, a nurse weighed me, measured my bump, took my blood, took my urine sample.
I need to go back in 2 weeks.
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@Clementine: I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your specialist. I also had my first appointment with the nutritionist and high risk doctor yesterday and it went okay. I met with the nutritionist first who went over my eating habits before and what and how I should be eating now. I have been keeping a record of everything I eat since I got the diagnosis and after reviewing it, she told me I was actually restricting my diet too much and wanted me to include more food than I was eating (I really cut back my carbs). I used to be a 3-meals a day girl and switching to 3 smaller meals and snacks has been a change for me, but I'm getting used to it. She told me that I can still eat a lot of the same things, but it needs to be more spaced out and paired with other foods will slow the absorption of sugar like fiber and protein.
I have been testing my blood since last weekend and we briefly discussed my blood sugars. Only one has been higher than the limit she set, but we think there were other factors that influenced it.
After the nutritionist, I saw the high risk doctor and they did an ultrasound to make sure the baby was not getting too big. My last US was at 20 weeks and he was right on track. They are now saying he is measuring about a week ahead of schedule, but that is not concerning. They also measured my amniotic fluid to make sure there is still enough room for him in there and conversely, that I don't have too much fluid. I see the nutritionist again in 2 weeks and the doctor for another US in 5 weeks.
My new challenge will actually be getting enough carbs that don't make my blood sugar high. The nutritionist was slightly concerned that I am getting too much protein and I could get ketosis which can cross the placenta and affect the baby. She also says I am restricting my calories too much and actually losing weight right now. Not good. I don't weigh myself at home because I have a digital, body-fat scale so I will find out next week at my regular OB appointment.
I am feeling much better about the whole situation and I'm definitely eating good food and feeling satisfied. I have been abstaining from most sweets (I did have dessert at Thanksgiving and my cousin's bridal shower) and the nutritionist said I shouldn't deny myself too much because I will go crazy in the other direction when the baby is born and if I want a cookie (my favorite treat), I can have one, just not right after lunch or dinner. Space it out. I have some good meals and snacks that are keeping my sugar down, so let me know if you need ideas. Good luck! -
Thanks so much @ Baby Bruins. Your entry was so helpful. I don't know my specialist didn't even tell me to keep a food journal. I decided to do one myself. As for any good meal/snack suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
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@ Clementine, sorry you had a disappointng appointment, my specialist was disappointing as well. Fortunately, my OB was a dream and really worked with me through the duration of my pregnancy. Keeping a journal was critical for me. It made me really think about everything and remain accountable.
I also found that I was struggling with my timing, I used the alarm feature on my phone religiously to make sure I was eating and testing when I should be.
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@Clementine: Here are some of my new favorites, but remember to test your sugar so you know how they affect you. BTW, I love Trader Joe's and a lot of the stuff comes from there.
Breakfast - 1/2 cup of Egg Beaters with onions and peppers, sprinkle of low fat cheese and half piece of whole wheat toast with butter (she wants me to go up to whole piece, but that makes my sugar higher)
Daytime Snacks - TJ greek yogurt or one of 1/2 cup cottage cheese/1-2 tbsp peanut butter/low fat string cheese with apple/pear/grapes or celery with peanut butter or carrots/celery/bell peppers with hummus
Lunch - salad with 4-5 oz of TJ Just Chicken and add some of the following: grape tomatos, bell peppers, carrots, goat cheese, pico de gallo with a yummy TJ creamy hummus dressing or TJ spicy asian vinaigrette and also fruit from above with cottage cheese or almonds or cashews. My nutritionist wants me to add a half sandwich or bowl of soup also.
Dinner - we have been trying to get through Thanksgiving leftovers so a lot of half sandwiches and soup, but last night switched it up - 4 oz Mahi Mahi with yogurt dill sauce, 3/4 cup brown rice, 1/2 cup steamed broccoli and about 3/4 cup of tomato, mozarella and avocado salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. OMG it was so good and I don't really like fish.
Evening Snack - 1 sheet of graham cracker with 1 tbsp peanut butter. I was also told I can add another graham cracker square or sub cracker for a 100 calorie TJ chocolate bar with PB or nuts. She told me to get regular peanut butter instead of reduced fat bc they add extra sugar to reduced fat PB.
If I'm starving at a time when I'm not scheduled to eat, I'll have a low fat string cheese. -
@Clementine: How is everything going? Are your blood sugars staying in range? Find any good meals/snacks that you can recommend?
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Hi Babybruins, I'm hanging in there. My blood sugar seems to be fine as long as I don't indulge in too many carbs. My go to snacks have been yogurt, nuts, raisins, and definitely a whole wheat cereal in the mornings for quick nutrition. As for meals, I've just cut back the carbs in half and it seems to be working.
The biggest issue for me is checking my blood sugar. Sometimes, I have meetings or at social gatherings and it makes it harder to do it within the time frame I am required.
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i'll have to check back on this post in 3 weeks! i'm taking my GD test on the 2nd!
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@Tequiero21, I hope you pass your test with flying colors!
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Hey Ladies, how are you doing? I'm 35 weeks but need to do all these extra screening because of the GD like NST and Biophysical Sonos (2x) a week until the baby comes. Anyone else in the same boat?
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