If you have GD...

[slsurface]

...what is your OB/midwife doing to "treat" it?

I declined the GD test but have been monitoring my blood glucose at home - I have a history of hyPOglycemia. Lately (week 33 or so) my sugar is a little high 2 hours after meals (sometimes around 160-150 level). I don't really want to be put in a high-risk category, so I haven't said anything to the OB yet. I wanted to get a handle on whether there is anything I can do myself to make things better. Suggestions?

I'm also a little worried about the LO being BIG and the possibility of a c/s! My first was nearly 10lbs - without GD. So I am concerned that this baby might be even bigger!

[nertsmommy]

My OB has me checking my levels 4 times a day, fasting (first thing in the morning) and 1 hour after meals. I am also on Metformin. 500mg with dinner. That and changing my diet has helped me to keep my numbers down. I'm not considered high risk. I am having a c-sect tomorrow, but that is only because I've had 2 previous c-sect for other reasons and I don't feel comfortable trying a VBAC with my previous history. I also have large babies without having GD, however, this one is measuring smaller than my 2 previous babies.

[ecky]

i had gd with my last pregnancy. i was testing my blood in the morning and an hour after every meal. i found that for me bread and grains were horrible. i had to get most of my carbs through veggies. for example - dinner would be a big mound of steamed broccoli, a big mound of steamed spinach, green beans, tofu and then like 1/3 cup of brown rice or 1/3 cup of pasta or quinoa. i basically had to cut out bread and processed carbs entirely but that worked for me. i was able to control my levels with diet only and didnt have to go on insulin. my daughter was 8 lbs 10 oz...so not humongous and my levels returned to normal upon her birth.

good luck!

[sunshadow]

The up side of getting tested was I got to talk to a nutritionist. Though, I was seeing a midwife and had I been seeing an OB who knows. My plan was 2/2 (at least 2 protein and no more than 2 carb) for breakfast, lunch, and 3/3 for dinner with a 1/1 snack three times a day.

When is your sugar high? Morning? After dinner? Mine was only high after dinner if I didn't eat exactly right. I was never high risk. Over time I only had to test my sugar in the morning and after dinner. Since it was under control I wasn't treated like I had gd as far as extra intervention goes. I only did one nostress test because I wanted it. I had a wonderful natural and quick home birth. He was full term and 8 pounds 7 ounce. He shot out like he weighed nothing.

[jjnoho]

can you pinpoint why your levels were high lately? you don't mention if you are making any diet changes as a result or just monitoring your levels.

i have been able to control my numbers with diet alone fortunately but have found an occasional high number that was easy to understand why it went up. i have found that my numbers are pretty stable if i spread my carb intake over the entire day of meals and snacks and not have any large quantity at once. i have switched to whole grains, no sugar or white flour and it has helped a great deal.

good luck

[2sweetboysmom]

Dairy and fruit are my big trigger foods for raising blood sugar. I test fasting and 1 hour after each meal. Mornings are the most insulin resistant times for most people, and probabaly the meal you will need to be the strictest with. I have to really have 15 or less grams of carb (no milk or fruit, no matter how little) at breakfast with a bunch of protein if I have any hope of having my numbers sufficently low by 1hr.
I have found that even just 5 -8 minutes of exercise will lower my #s by 12-18 points. It is difficult to exercise right after a meal, but it only takes just a few minutes to bring the blood sugar # down.

[birthangeldoula]

I'm testing my fasting and two hours after one of my meals each day. I usually test after breakfast since that's when my blood sugars are usually highest. I will sometimes check 2 hours after I've eaten something I know I shouldnt have.

[tootersmom]

Originally Posted by slsurface

Lately (week 33 or so) my sugar is a little high 2 hours after meals (sometimes around 160-150 level). I don't really want to be put in a high-risk category, so I haven't said anything to the OB yet. I wanted to get a handle on whether there is anything I can do myself to make things better. Suggestions?

Are you eating a low carb diet or just eating as you normally would? For me I have to limit my carb intake to keep my numbers down. Also, adding extra protein with each meal is a must. Some people can have more carbs than I'm allowed, but my day looks something like this:

Breakfast: 15-20 Carbs (and at least 7 grams protein)

Morning Snack: 15-20 Carbs (and at least 7 grams of protein)

Lunch: 30-45 Carbs (and at least 14 grams of protein)

Midday Snack: 15-20 Carbs (and at least 7 grams of protein)

Supper:Lunch: 30-45 Carbs (and at least 14 grams of protein)

Night Snack: 15-30 Carbs (and at least 14 grams protein)

I have to eat every 2-3 hours to keep my blood sugar level.

Most people find fruits and milk hardest to eat in the morning. So, better to save those until after breakfast. No WHITE foods anytime (breads, pasta, rice, or potatoes). Limit high carb veggies like corn, peas, legumes etc. and count those in your total carb intake for each meal. Others such as green beans, carrots, broccoli, etc. don't effect my BS much and I consume whatever amount I want without much impact. A lot of it is trial and error for each individual.

For me, the fasting number has been the hardest to control. I'm supposed to check 8-10 hours after my night time snack (basically when I wake in the morning). My doctor is more liberal than most with a 100 cut off. Some docs are 90 or even 80. There's NO WAY I could manage to get those numbers regularly without medication. Thankfully, I'm under 100 most days, but the night snack is a MUST for me. Otherwise I'm 100-110 when I wake.

I have to be under 120 two hours after meals. (I've heard the new recommendations are now under 120 ONE HOUR PP, which is really strict IMO!) So, 150-160 would be considered pretty high by my OB, especially on a regular basis. Do what you feel comfortable with, but speaking with your doc or MW would probably be a good idea. If nothing else it might ease your mind - stress raises blood sugar, too! Good luck!

Edited to add: Exercise is a great way to bring down a high number fast. Even 10 minutes of walking or biking can lower my number 10-20 pts.

Also, you won't necessarily be labeled high risk just for GD. Especially if you're controlled only with diet and exercise.