Gestational Diabetes Support Group - Page 4

[myrmom]

Hi I'm Maggie,

I need some advice.

This is my third pregnancy, all of which have been GD....with the first two I had an OB who was very relaxed with my GD status and didn't panic over the occasional spikes or that my morning sugars were a tad bit high then the recommended number. Both my boys were great....they were born without complications. Ewan was a week overdue and was 7lbs14oz and Rufus was a day overdue and was 7lbs 15 oz...so no big babies for me.

Here is my dilema...this time I have choses not to take the 3 hour GTT, I refuse to do that to my body knowing what my results are going to be. I have been testing and feeling fine about everything. My numbers are basically the same numbers I had with the boys...again with a tad bit of an elevated fasting number.

(In Canada there recommended number are different...fasting should be 5.3 and under and I am usually between 5.4 and 5.7) so I wasn't the least bit concerned about it as I had the same numbers with the boys and no ill effects.

Well my midwife is freaking out about my numbers and she wants me to come in for a fasting blood draw on monday...which I agreed to, but I have a feeling once she sees a slightly higher number she may freak out and want to put me on insulin.

Would you go on insulin for a slight increase in fasting numbers??

Is there anyway I can get these numbers to go down with diet?? What type of night snack might be a good idea??

[avivaelona]

no I wouldn't go on insulin but I'm really anti-insulin so I'm not the best person to ask. I'd make sure to tell your midwife about your earlier GD pregnancies with healthy small babies. If you want to cheat just a touch, take a brisk walk in the morning before going to your midwife (don't over do it! no fainting from excercising whle fasting!)

Try just varying your night snack and see if anything affects your fasting...having the snack later or earlier, all protein or some people do need to have a few carbs. Take your fasting sugar the first time you wake up in the AM, not after going back to sleep and waking again.

very high protein with just a few carbs seems to work best for me for fastings, and I have to eat it at least a couple of hours before I go to bed. So a greek yogurt with a little bit of fruit, a boiled egg and a peach, some almonds and couple of bites of whole wheat cracker...keeping the snack fairly small too. Not a whole other dinner

If your numbers are not good and the midwife is still freaking I would ask to do a repeat of the test in a couple of weeks and have at least a couple of weeks to try to bring it down with diet and excercise before considering insulin.

I don't know how high those numbers are, I've never understood the other system of measurement If it really is very borderline than I'd hold my ground.

[myrmom]

5.3 which is what is recommended my sugars be under would be 95.4
5.7 Which is usually my highest is 102.6

[brandyk]

Thanks A - I tried the diet today and after laughing through the 1/2 cup of oatmeal breakfast (with egg, pb2, and sunflower seeds) and being unable to function by 9am I moved everything up and rejiggered a bit. I added up what I ate today and it was too low in calories for sure. I added an extra snack basically because breakfast was totally inadequate.

Thank you so much for all your tips and advice. They are not just helpful to me, I am sure they are helpful to a lot of women!!

I like the yogurt + fruit idea for bedtime snack. I prefer sweet (or at least not savory) for after dinner. Any other "sweet" ideas that don't include the addition of weird things like eggs?

[myrmom]

what about slicing up an apple into bits.....microwaving with some cinnamon. Then put some yogurt and almonds on it....

[avivaelona]

OMG Maggie that sounds delicious. I'm going to have to try that tonight, we have fresh new crop apples.

Make sure to use unsweetened yogurt, and if you can get greek yogurt or skyr use that instead, its higher in protein. ( if you can't get greek yogurt you can sort of make your own by straining regular yogurt through a fine strainer for a few hours) Almonds and cinnamon both are blood sugar regulators

Brandy I'm such a yogurt fiend, I usually have it every night but let me think of some other "sweet" ideas and get back to you. You are going to have to see too...some people are very sensitive to fruit. Try strawberries, peaches, apples rather than bananas, cherries, grapes or oranges.

Oh and so many of these ideas are due to some awesome women helping ME figure it out last time around...I had a really hard time with my last pregnancy and cried nearly every day for the first few weeks...I got diagnosed with early GD at the very beginning of my pregnancy and it was HARD.

[NicaG]

More sweet ideas:
-1 slice french toast (you can make it with cinnamon bread for a little added sweet) with ricotta cheese or cottage cheese, plus some sliced up fruit
-cottage cheese mixed with cinnamon and Splenda (if you do artificial sweeteners), plus some sliced fruit
-smoothie made with protein powder, milk, half a banana, plus vanilla or cinnamon and a little splenda

I like sweet snacks too, so I usually just gulp down some protein (usually cottage cheese or string cheese) and then eat the fruit that I really want, rather than trying to make a combined snack. For a while I was enjoying cinnamon raisin bread, made into toast or whatever for 1 carb serving, but now it seems to be spiking my numbers too much.

For fruit, try blueberries. For some reason, they seem to have no effect on my blood sugar, unlike some other fruit.

I saw a recipe for ricotta pancakes that contained no flour (no carb), but I haven't tried it. That might be another good sweet option.

Also, I get fabulous numbers after eating Zone cereal. It's really yummy, slightly sweet. You can mix it with milk, yogurt, eat it on its own, etc. etc. You can find it at a lot of grocery stores, or at Whole Foods.

http://www.netrition.com/nutritious_...ne_cereal.html

[kohlby]

Originally Posted by brandyk

I am also trying to work on my iron count. Which basically involves me trying to have 2 meals a day without dairy/calcium so I can take my iron. Maybe I can achieve that in morning & afternoon snacks. But I have been taking liquid iron, which needs refrigerated, which is hard at work.

Oh I emailed with a friend today who had GD. She had a scheduled-c on her DD (she asked for it!) because she thought baby was too big. they estimated 9,14 and baby was 8,8.

I took Chlorophyll instead of iron when pg with my daughter. It worked perfectly to get my iron up. My body doesn't like a lot of vitamins so I didn't want to take iron supplements.

As for size, if the GD is controlled, then they shouldn't do a scheduled c-section or induction regardless of size. 9'14 is big, but the shoulder dystocia risks are actually VERY low if the GD is controlled. (My babies were 10'8 and 11'4 and I got to try for vaginal births, though they didn't work out. However, I passed the 3 hour GTT so GD was no where on my medical chart, though there's an excellent chance I had it with my 11'4 baby). My OB's attitude was that women birth large babies all the time, you never know unless you try. (Despite me being super petite). And that there would be no valient attempts to get the head out- like no forcepts or vacuum, since that would increase the risks with a large baby. I was also trying med-free so I knew I could get into the best positions and my OB agreed with this. However, most drs don't have a "birth is natural and not a sickness" approach that my OB has!

*One "sweet" that I love is frozen blueberries. They taste so much more like a treat when they're frozen.

[jenn252]

Possible GD

Hi everyone,

I just failed my first blood test and am supposed to go back for the 3 hour. I am using a midwife and she wants to retest me again after being on the diet a week before I have to do the 3 hour (she knows I HATE needles). I am just curious about this diet. I was told not to have any fruit except for 1 apple a day since I was eating way too much the past few weeks before my test (which I hope skewed it).

Anyway, my question is, how strict do you have to stick to the portions? Ex. for breakfast I had one whole grain English muffin with a bit of peanut butter, 2 slices of organic ham (2 oz), 1 cup of skim milk but I also had an apple. Will this screw things up a lot?: I try to stick to them but one tablespoon of cottage cheese does nothing for me - is this normal? I try to eat a low amount of carbs though but forget what I am supposed to eat with what - this is so frustrating!!

Also, I feel like the diet isn't giving me enough protein, does anyone else feel like this and hungry all day long? They say you aren't supposed to diet but I feel like I am eating way less than when I wasn't pregnant.

I am not overweight (about 140 pre pregnancy) and have gained about 30 lbs already though - am 28 weeks.

This is stressful so any advice is welcomed!!

[brandyk]

Ok, now I am hungry!!! I love all the ideas with cinnamon. I took mine out of the spice rack and left it on the table to remind myself to eat cinnamon whenever possible. I got my glucometer today. It is easy to use and not scary (says the girl who still has bruises on the insides of her elbows).

Kaiser has its issues, but anything preventive care is totally free without copay. The meter, lancets, and test strips were all free. No copays with any pregnancy visits, and $100 for the hospital, that's it. The downside is that it's an HMO and you don't know the people at the delivery. (Big downside!) If I didn't have a public interest job obviously I would seek alternative care.

Anyways, I'm taking floradix for the iron. So it's not synthesized. How much chlorophyll did you take? I am interested in trying it.

We normally make smoothies with fage 0% and frozen fruit. (decadent! we get our fage @ costco) I have had to cut WAY back on the fruit. Sob.

Jenn - For breakfast on saturday i started with 1 carb, 1 protein, 1 fat. That's what they wanted me to eat. I almost passed out, seriously. I was totally fuzzy and could not think straight. Yesterday & today I had 2 carb & 2 protein & 1 fat. The generic info they gave me said no fruit or milk at breakfast. I haven't seen the nutritionist yet. I was good for 3 hours after that. I started PG overweight (having just lost 40 lbs). The things they sent me had like 4 choices on their lists. It was ridiculous. So I'm using this
http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/g...100%20Calories and tweaking it. I found these were a good guide to the serving sizes
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/cond...xchange-lists/

IMO I think it's mostly about getting the carbs right and then eating at least as much protein & fat to balance it out. I am eating significantly more protein than I was. I am semi following the lists and making my carbs on target and usually eating more protein & fat (butter, olives, sunflower seeds, nuts).

1 T of cottage cheese doesn't equal anything! I have been (in my 3 days of experience) having grits & oatmeal for the carbs at breakfast. I think breakfast is the time you maybe have to watch most for the processed carbs.

So basically yes, after starving for a few hours on day 1, I certainly felt that I was not eating enough. The suggested menu was less than I was eating following weight watchers before I got pregnant (and had me eating like 6 slices of bread a day - WHO DOES THAT???).

[NicaG]

Originally Posted by jenn252

Hi everyone,

I just failed my first blood test and am supposed to go back for the 3 hour. I am using a midwife and she wants to retest me again after being on the diet a week before I have to do the 3 hour (she knows I HATE needles). I am just curious about this diet. I was told not to have any fruit except for 1 apple a day since I was eating way too much the past few weeks before my test (which I hope skewed it).

Anyway, my question is, how strict do you have to stick to the portions? Ex. for breakfast I had one whole grain English muffin with a bit of peanut butter, 2 slices of organic ham (2 oz), 1 cup of skim milk but I also had an apple. Will this screw things up a lot?: I try to stick to them but one tablespoon of cottage cheese does nothing for me - is this normal? I try to eat a low amount of carbs though but forget what I am supposed to eat with what - this is so frustrating!!

Also, I feel like the diet isn't giving me enough protein, does anyone else feel like this and hungry all day long? They say you aren't supposed to diet but I feel like I am eating way less than when I wasn't pregnant.

I am not overweight (about 140 pre pregnancy) and have gained about 30 lbs already though - am 28 weeks.

This is stressful so any advice is welcomed!!

You do need to watch your carb portions carefully (ie it's probably not a great idea to add an apple to your breakfast), but if you eat a little extra protein or fat at a meal, it shouldn't affect your blood sugar levels. That's why an extra tablespoons of cottage cheese doesn't affect anything, since it's almost all protein.

The key is never eat carbs alone--always add a portion of protein/fat at the same time.

I often feel hungry on the diet, and I've only gained a pound or two in the 6 weeks I've been on the diet. It was the same for my first pregnancy. If you're hungry, you can always eat vegetables--they don't count as carbs or fat or protein, and the fiber should fill you up somewhat. (However, I'm bad about eating extra veggies--too much work).

Hope it gets easier!

[mynetname]

Diabetes after pregnancy risk?

Just curious,
I read in my little health book given to me at the clinic that 98% of women do not develop diabetes after their GD. However, the specialist told me that the number is 50%, even later in life.
Hmmm. I can't find good research about this. Just made me a bit sad today thinking that way I liked the 2% better than the 50%.
Sigh.

[brandyk]

Originally Posted by mynetname

Just curious,
I read in my little health book given to me at the clinic that 98% of women do not develop diabetes after their GD. However, the specialist told me that the number is 50%, even later in life.
Hmmm. I can't find good research about this. Just made me a bit sad today thinking that way I liked the 2% better than the 50%.
Sigh.

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabete...258197-66.html

The study mentioned in this article says:
While just 2 percent of the women who didn't have gestational diabetes went on to develop type 2 diabetes during the 9-year follow-up period, 19 percent of those with gestational diabetes did, the researchers found.

Full study: http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/abstract/179/3/229

[mynetname]

Originally Posted by brandyk

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabete...258197-66.html

Full study: http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/abstract/179/3/229

Thank you for the links!

[Munchkingirl]

I love the great snack ideas and its encouraging to hear everyones story. I am still trying to balance numbers, but I am 12 1/2 wks and really want to get it right on soon. I had a quick question for anyone who knows.

What is insulin resistance and the difference between that and GD?

Thanks, Tara

[kohlby]

Originally Posted by Munchkingirl

I love the great snack ideas and its encouraging to hear everyones story. I am still trying to balance numbers, but I am 12 1/2 wks and really want to get it right on soon. I had a quick question for anyone who knows.

What is insulin resistance and the difference between that and GD?

Thanks, Tara

I have insulin resistance even when not pg. One dr described insulin resistance as "latent diabetes." I'm on a diabetic diet for the rest of my life, but not testing blood sugar yet. (Though I have to take a 2 hour GTT yearly when not pg). My risk for developing full blown diabetes is extremely high. Though I was told to go on the GD diet when pg, it's not nearly as strict as a diabetic diet. There's no standard of care for insulin resistance yet. I will be taking the 3 hour GTT while pg, in two days at 13 weeks and then again at 26 weeks. Add my loss history and insulin resistance has caused a lot of problems for me in the past.

Medically, insulin resistance is when the insulin levels go super high. It's supposed to be no higher than 18 at the lab I used, though the limits are 15-20 depending on the lab. Mine was 38, which is considered horrible, to say the least. I did it the same day as a 2 hour GTT not pg and passed the GTT. The high insulin levels caused me to have hypoglycemic episodes quite regularly until I went on a diabetic diet. Eventually, the body won't be able to handle it anymore and full blown type II diabetes will set in.

*Many overwieght people have insulin resistance - but it will go away if they lose some weight, often even just a small amount. Many people with PCOS have insulin resistance and take metformin to help. I'm not overweight and don't have PCOS, so insulin resistance is a primary, rather than secondary, disorder for me.

[hart2hart]

I am borderline GD and have been following a modified diet for about 2 1/2 weeks now. My numbers stay between 78 and about 118, which I think is good, right?

Something weird happened when I did my "after lunch" blood check today. I pricked my finger and did my reading and it read 136. I thought this was a bit high. I thought, WTH, I'll try another finger. Tried the other finger and it was 114. ???? Any idea why such a huge difference??

[brandyk]

hart2hart - did you clean your hands? did you have something on one finger that wasn't on the other? if not, then i think it is related to blood flow issues. there are a lot of reasons (including device variations) and i think it is all normal.

my numbers are iffy it looks like. 149 1 hr after eating. my fasting was 105 when i got up at 5:30 (i woke up at 2:30, 5:30, and 7:45). and then 115 when i got up. am i right that the 5:30 was the time to do it? i also did 2 hrs after eating and that's 107. i also tried testing 1 hr after snacks and that's like 117

what to do now? should i shift from 3 meals/3 snacks to 6 mini meals? or stick like i have it and slash carbs until my numbers are right? or if i keep following the diet will everything settle down? I am more than a little freaked out that with these numbers they will start talking insulin. This is really disappointing because even the doctor thought sticking to the diet would do it.

ETA: ok i just did my after lunch test. 128 on my thumb, 110 on my middle finger (just to see, we were discussing it at work, co-worker thought that machine was more accurate than that). so that's much better. i sheepishly admit that i swapped my planned crackers & applesauce for jalapeno kettle chips at the last minute.

[avivaelona]

I'd have to eat a lot of protein and fiber in the lunch to make up for having more than one or two potato chips.

having something on your hands or taking a really long time between the prick and the sample can both make your blood sugar higher than it should be. I don't know if there is anything that can make it lower so I'd probably take the lower reading as more accurate.

Brandy I'd try eating more small meals.

I'd eat a very small all protein snack when you wake up at 5:30 (just a few almonds or whatever) and then see what your blood sugar is at 7:45, it sounds like you have a very strong dawn effect going on. What are you eating for your snack at night and what time are you eating it? You might need to adjust that. Usually they call your fasting sugar whatever it is when you wake up for good, so the 7:45 reading is the one your doctor would most likely count.

[brandyk]

Originally Posted by avivaelona

I'd have to eat a lot of protein and fiber in the lunch to make up for having more than one or two potato chips.

I had 2 oz chicken & 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 1 T salad dressing, 3 olives, salad & 1/2 cup SF pudding. Plus chips. It wasn't a terrible amt of protein or fiber.

will report tomorrow on effects of high protein snack at night (mine has been half/half) and nuts in the middle of the night. normally my schedule is wake up 7:45 or so, putter, eat breakfast, and then dinner doesn't come until 8:30, snack between 10:30, 11, then bed. most days i don't really wake up until 8:30. i have a flexible job