GD support thread

[ktcl]

Hi folks,
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes a couple of weeks ago. Just started the blood testing 4 times per day, and was feeling like I needed to hear from other Mothering moms who have had to deal with this as well. Every time I have a question, I"m googling, and finding information, but it's often directed at regular diabetics, not people with GD. Here are my current wonderings:
- why is my morning level so close to the cut-off (94, 95), while the rest of the day tends to be well below the cut-off of 120 (for my midwife anyway)?
- I have been told about how many carbs I should have at my snacks and meals... if I go way under that, could that be a bad thing in any way? (I think this is related to the above question).
- Is it possible that when I don't really eat much carbs at all (ie- a lunch of salad with steak) and my numbers are really low (76-ish) that my body starts overproducing its own glucose, sending my numbers up later, or over night?

Of course I"m also very curious to hear how other people are managing the diet. I am full time working mamma, so have found it somewhat difficult to plan ahead for all of the snacks and lunch, so I'd love to hear what you are doing on that front.

Thanks!

[Bubblette]

Hi Katie!
We've got a 2010 GD thread going here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1203942 there is also a link in that thread to the humongous previous thread.

The cut offs were put in place with the idea that pregnant women tend to run lower than the normal population. Your fasting levels in the morning are regarded as the most significant numbers when looking at outcomes by the most recent studies. So a lot of us have found our hcp really stress the morning numbers. When fasting (anything over 8 hours between food) your blood glucose can dip so low that your liver starts making glucose from glycogen stores in order to maintain your BG and a higher level. Some people's liver's way overshoot that point. So some GD moms (a lot of them actually) find a mixed protein/carb snack right before bed keeps their fasting numbers lower.

You CAN eat less carbs than they recommend. I certainly do! what you need to be careful of is still providing your body and baby with enough nutrients and calories. I was told when I got my GD "education" that most moms they deal with lose weight in the first week- 2 weeks and they don't stress, but they do want you to find a balance and then stop losing, preferably keep gaining a reasonable amount. So that's what I went by, I kept my diet healthy, cut out the crap carbs like cake and icecream and made sure my weight didn't fall too much. I stayed basically the same for almost 5 weeks and have started gaining again in the last two. So it is all about finding what works for your body and baby. Each of us on the support thread have different tolerances for carbs.

What I have done, which is becoming very boring, is found a breakfast that works and stuck with it. Dinners are a protein, a glass of milk 2 different veggies usually, and typically though not always a "true" carb. So, last night we had mashed potatoes and I had a small serving, some nights its brown rice (basamati rice has the lowest GI and Jasmine has the highest), some nights we have carrots and peas and I don't bother with a carb. Milk does count as a carb, and I always have a glass of milk with dinner. Simple easy meals without a lot of prep/time etc. Lunch the next day is leftovers from dinner. Snacks were harder for me to figure out, and they are important. I just figured out a few that work and keep them going.

Food has gotten boring over the last 6/7 weeks.... but only because neither DH or I have the time to really work on amazing GD friendly dinners with huge variety, you can do it- we just don't have time.

A brisk walk or two really helps your numbers too! A walk before bed/after dinner may help keep your morning numbers low too.