Gestational Diabetes Support Group - Page 58

[amydiane]

Originally Posted by jojojojojo

Sarah, I'm so happy for you!

I got a crazy high number after lunch. I thought it might have been because I started a new pack of test strips, so I tried again with a different pack of test strips. The number was even higher. Then I washed my hands really well and tried again. Still high.

As it turned out, I'd had a multi-grain sushi roll (cooked) from Whole Foods for lunch. Who know that they were 33g of carbs per 100g of sushi, and that I was given 200g of sushi? 66g of carbs is nearly two meals for me!

I tested at two hours (155) and three hours (113). Eek, lesson learned.

I hate when that happens....you try something that you think will be safe, and it's not. The other day, I got some of that Glucerna cereal for diabetics. It had pretty comparable carbs to Cheerios, which I've been fine with. Usually after a bowl of Cheerios and milk, I'm in the high 80s or 90s. This stuff is supposed to be formulated to not spike your b/s....well at 2 hours pp I got a 133. I tested again and got a 153! So no more of that for me.

[Junegoddess]

Yay, Sarah!!

I took my BRAND NEW glucometer, that is supposed to be the best, most-accurate on the market (One Touch Ultra 2) with me to my recent one-hour screen, and took my BS 5 minutes before the test time was over. 159. I was so disappointed. My fasting sugars had finally been good... I thought the chromium/cinnamon combo I was supplementing with was working miracles. But, apparently not, I'd failed.

Went to my doctor appt yesterday, and they said I passed with flying colors- 97.

I hadn't washed my hands before using my glucometer. A couple of years ago I got a crazy high number, washed my hands, and retested. My blood sugar was good. The hand washing is important!!!

I had been looking on the bright side of finally being diagnosed- no more icky sugar tests. Now I'm going to be retested in 6 weeks, and if I pass that one, 4 weeks after that, and if I pass again, 4 weeks after that... *sigh*

I had a weird doctor yesterday. If I manage to get someone else next time, I'll suggest just having me test instead of doing all the dumb sugar tests.

[purplestraws]

Can you guys share your best tips for getting fasting numbers down?? I'm 33 weeks today...and for the last 3-4 days, my numbers have been in the low 90's. My midwife says just to watch them now and we'll see what they do...but they have DEFINITELY been trending upwards over the 1 or so. My 2-hr PP are usually still pretty good...usually in the low-100s and very rarely above 120. Sometimes they're even below 90...

Right now I eat a bedtime snack...usually PB and crackers or PB and an apple at around 10:00. I go to bed at about 11:30 and wake-up at 6:30ish and have been getting those numbers in the low 90s.

I just don't understand how I can be getting postprandials in the 80s...but not my fasting numbers!

[bemommy]

When my fasting numbers started going up I knew it was time to add another snack. So at about 34 weeks I would make a protein drink (milk, 2 ice cubes and a scoop of Whole Foods protein powder) put it in a thermal cup and keep it by the bed. When I wake up for a pee break, generally between 1:30-3am, I suck down the drink.

For some people adding exercise before bed makes a huge difference. SOme can't handle milk, so a hand full of nuts might be better. . .

It's frustrating, and a pretty constant readjustment to find what works.

[KarlaC]

I couldn't handle fruit before bed or when I woke up. The exercise before bedtime & a light snack in the middle of the night were what worked best for me.

[Thandiwe]

Stumbling through this...

I am about to begin a GD diet, but I honestly have no clue what that means. That's why I'm here. I need to learn as much about this as I can. My midwife and I believe I may have had undx GD last time (babe was 11 pounds 3 ounces despite a mere 17 pound weight gain. This time I'm preparing for it. I'm actually wondering if I have early signs. With my last pg, I had insanely severe nausea and this time it's beginning again. I'm finding if I can force down food more frequently it makes it better, but unfortunately it's been a lot of carbs. As I'm learning, that's a no-no.

I'm kind of lost and hoping (with a little sleep) I may be able to learn more over the next few days.

[bemommy]

Originally Posted by Thandiwe

I am about to begin a GD diet, but I honestly have no clue what that means. That's why I'm here. I need to learn as much about this as I can. My midwife and I believe I may have had undx GD last time (babe was 11 pounds 3 ounces despite a mere 17 pound weight gain. This time I'm preparing for it. I'm actually wondering if I have early signs. With my last pg, I had insanely severe nausea and this time it's beginning again. I'm finding if I can force down food more frequently it makes it better, but unfortunately it's been a lot of carbs. As I'm learning, that's a no-no.

It's a bit different for everyone (a GD diet that is). It really helps to have a glucometer to test blood sugar levels in order to see what you're body is able to process. Everyone is different and often the foods you can handle change over time.

For me a GD diet is a lot of protein (meat, cheese, nuts) practically unlimited veggies, a little bit of fruit, some milk and small portions of high quality carbohydrates (I'm able to handle corn, sweet potato, wild rice, quinoa, high grain and fiber bread). I'm also able to have milk, some people can not handle milk.

It is a process, and I think many of us stumble through We just end up tripping less and less as the time goes by.

[Thandiwe]

Thank you, Be. Any recommendations on a good gluco meter? I really appreciate your info.

[bemommy]

Originally Posted by Thandiwe

Thank you, Be. Any recommendations on a good gluco meter? I really appreciate your info.

I have a OneTouch Ultra that I was given by my care provider for my last pregnancy. I picked up a OneTouch mini this pregnancy, thought it would be easier having 2. . one to carry around, one for the house. The mini was, I think, $15 at Target. If you can get a prescription it can save you a LOT of $$$. . It's not so much the glucometer that can set you back but the test strips are very pricey.

[KarlaC]

I've used a One Touch Ultra this pg too. I paid about $60 for it at Walmart & strips were $28 without insurance. I've had no problems with it, just don't forget to code it to the # on the strips or you'll get some whacky results.

[ZoraP]

Originally Posted by Thandiwe

I am about to begin a GD diet, but I honestly have no clue what that means. That's why I'm here. I need to learn as much about this as I can. My midwife and I believe I may have had undx GD last time (babe was 11 pounds 3 ounces despite a mere 17 pound weight gain. This time I'm preparing for it. I'm actually wondering if I have early signs. With my last pg, I had insanely severe nausea and this time it's beginning again. I'm finding if I can force down food more frequently it makes it better, but unfortunately it's been a lot of carbs. As I'm learning, that's a no-no.

I'm kind of lost and hoping (with a little sleep) I may be able to learn more over the next few days.

Sorry about the nausea and the concern about the diet. Do try to start home monitoring -- most protocols require testing 4 times a day -- upon awaking (fasting), and then 2 hours after each main meal of the day. Your midwife can probably give you the target numbers. I tested early on, but not every day once I knew that I was in the normal ranges. I test once a week until it's obvious that I need more monitoring.

You may find that your numbers are fine for now -- most women with GD develop insulin resistance later in the pregnancy (late 2nd or early 3rd trimester). I've had it with all three pregnancies, but my glucose levels were fine for the first 20 weeks or so even this time around, so I was able to control my early nausea by eating what sounded good. Now that I'm having more insulin resistance I'm also not feeling nauseous, so my diet is easier to control.

I agree with the above poster -- go for low-fat, high quality protein at every meal and snack, lots of veggies, and experiment to see how many carb-rich foods you can tolerate at various times of day. (For me, this is really not a lot and I have to avoid "white" foods like bread, rice, and potatoes. Whole grains are better but still I can't eat large amounts.)

I like sweet foods, so I try to satisfy that craving by having fruit or very small dessert portions (ice cream is good because the fat slows digestion) once in a while, trading them out for a regular carb at that meal. This has worked well for me so far and both of my prior babies were not too large (under 9 lb).

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[amydiane]

So I recently found out that the hospital/OBs will want to check my b/s every hour during labor. I know I can decline, but I'm wondering if this is one that's worth fighting over.

I don't really mind being poked in and of itself....I mean I'm doing it all the time myself anyway. But, I'm worried about it possibly causing other issues or giving them an opening for interventions. My numbers have been really good and I'm diet controlled. So are there any good reasons for me to either consent or decline?

[KarlaC]

Originally Posted by amydiane

So I recently found out that the hospital/OBs will want to check my b/s every hour during labor. I know I can decline, but I'm wondering if this is one that's worth fighting over.

I don't really mind being poked in and of itself....I mean I'm doing it all the time myself anyway. But, I'm worried about it possibly causing other issues or giving them an opening for interventions. My numbers have been really good and I'm diet controlled. So are there any good reasons for me to either consent or decline?

Depending on how long you're in labor & at the hospital(and if your hospital will allow you or you manage to sneak food) your #'s could bottom out.

[amydiane]

Originally Posted by KarlaC

Depending on how long you're in labor & at the hospital(and if your hospital will allow you or you manage to sneak food) your #'s could bottom out.

I'm guessing that would mean a glucose IV? Could that then mess with baby's b/s?

[jojojojojo]

Originally Posted by amydiane

I'm guessing that would mean a glucose IV? Could that then mess with baby's b/s?

I suppose it would depend on how much they gave you. I doubt that they'd give you enough to raise YOUR blood sugars too high, which would then cross over to the baby. This is all only a guess, though, as it's the first time I'm going through GD.

[amydiane]

Originally Posted by KarlaC

Depending on how long you're in labor & at the hospital(and if your hospital will allow you or you manage to sneak food) your #'s could bottom out.

Oh, I forgot....I probably will be sneaking food (I put in my birth plan that I wanted to eat and drink during labor, and my OB signed off on it, but she also basically said "clear fluids only," so she's obviously not too keen on the idea), so couldn't that potentially make my numbers look abnormally high, depending on when they test in relation to when I ate?

[KarlaC]

Originally Posted by amydiane

Oh, I forgot....I probably will be sneaking food (I put in my birth plan that I wanted to eat and drink during labor, and my OB signed off on it, but she also basically said "clear fluids only," so she's obviously not too keen on the idea), so couldn't that potentially make my numbers look abnormally high, depending on when they test in relation to when I ate?

Yeah I'm not seeing a happy medium there, it's more of a damned if you do & damned if you don't situation imo. Are you planning on waiting as long as possible to go in or?

That's my hope(assuming I go into labor sometime this year) otherwise I'm seeing one craptastic intervention filled birth.

I do plan on refusing any & all sugar testing for myself the second my lo is born. I can do that on my own anyway.

[Thandiwe]

Thanks for your help, mamas!! I bought a One Touch Ultra Mini the other night and checked a bit. So far, my levels are okay. From what I've read, waking levels should be below 95 (??) and I have come in at 91, so I'll have to watch. Right now I'm just trying to figure out a good "poke" depth...I hate needles and have tried piercing my finger at the lowest level, and subsequently had an error reading and had to poke myself yet again. Ugh. Carbs...it's been a daily battle as the nausea is getting worse, not better. I've been working on increasing my proteins so I don't feel the need to turn to carbs.

Once again, thank you so much!

[amydiane]

Originally Posted by KarlaC

Yeah I'm not seeing a happy medium there, it's more of a damned if you do & damned if you don't situation imo. Are you planning on waiting as long as possible to go in or?

That's my hope(assuming I go into labor sometime this year) otherwise I'm seeing one craptastic intervention filled birth.

I do plan on refusing any & all sugar testing for myself the second my lo is born. I can do that on my own anyway.

Yup, that is my plan....hopefully I won't be there long enough for them to bug me too much.

[bemommy]

Wanted to say thanks to everyone here. The support has helped these past months.

My baby was born July 2nd, everything was awesome. As I had expected all along my OB never put the official GD diagnosis in my chart (because my #s were so good with diet control alone. . and I never did the diagnostic test because I had failed it last pregnancy) so they didn't treat me any differently. . no blood sugar testing for me or babe.