Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

Hi Ladies,

Just got the call tonight from my doctor with the results from my 1 hour glucose test. I'll be 28 weeks this weekend. He said my numbers show that I have GD and there is no need for me to go for the 3 hour test, he said something like it wouldn't be good for me to go through that test. I wanted to cry when I got off the phone, I am completely shocked. I go next week for the diabetic teaching class to learn how to use the glucometer and to meet with the nutritionist. As soon as I hung up with my doctor I got on the internet to start reading about it because I'm completely clueless about GD. I'm still so upset but it is what it is, 12 more weeks til is here.

How are you dealing with it and has it changed your diet completely? I eat lots of fruit and have a pretty healthy diet. I get no exercise being at a desk all day long so DH already said we will start walking every night now. I will find out a lot more at my appointments next week but at this point I've just gathered info from articles online and it would be nice to learn from some girls who are also dealing with it. Thanks so much for any advice/support you can lend.

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

Robin - I'm sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with GD.

Although I have no personal experience with it, I have heard it can be managed pretty easily with diet.

I am gonna send you a text now, I hope it isn't too late. I'm here for you hunny!!

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

don't worry too much. I was also rather traumatized by the diagnosis.. to boot, I was leaving the country for a 3 week business trip and babymoon 4 days later ....

it sounds like your diet is similar to mine. pretty healthy, not a lot of prepackaged stuff or restaurant food. if that's the case, you REALLY won't have trouble adapting.

It took me about 3 days to get used to testing with the meter, but it REALLY is no big deal. the worst part was working with my insurance company (FYI- it goes under medical... NOT prescription insurance) to get the supplies for free.

I have a mild case that doesn't require any insulin. The golden rule is only unsweetened beverages. I drink mainly water with a squirt of lime or lemon, decaf coffee, or celestial seasonings peach cold brew ice tea It's a little caffeine, but it has FLAVOR.

For food, you should start out following the rigid diet outlined by the dietician. after you get that down, you can add carbs and test to see what your system can tolerate. I can eat crunchy granola bars, moderate portions of whole grain bread, trail mix with a few M&Ms added, and EVEN cake! you heard it right.

The trick with the occassional dessert (about 1X a week) is that fat in desserts temper the carb absorption and actually helps you tolerate them... so for the rare cheating moment... try to find european style desserts (not too sweet mousses or cakes (especially cheesecakes!) with lots of cream or butter) definitely avoid syrupy things and sugary desserts that are more floury than fatty. The fat trick also works for me and the rare french fry or onion ring.

The staple/everyday foods include yogurt (I thaw frozen strawberries in the microwave, mush them, add a small teaspoon of sugar, and then a heap of fage greek yogurt... very yummy, and low in carbs), the granola, the water, and lots of protein fruits and veggies. Cheese and carefully portioned out whole grain carbs are also your friends.
(oh, I can also drink horizon organic chocolate milk boxes... tastes like a chocolate shake and is perfectly portioned to NOT elevate my sugar levels thank God)

Avoid certain carb speedballs:
soda
pasta
rice
cereal
white bread
candy

It sounds daunting, but you'd be surprised how easy it comes over time... especially if you have a decent diet to start. you just have to tweak a little.

FM me if you have any questions

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

I have GD and also skipped the 3hr because my sugar was so high they sent me right to the endocrinologist. I started out just working on the diet alone and although my numbers were much, much better I was still having spikes in my sugars so after a week they put me on insulin 4X/day. My sugars have bee fine since.........they adjust your insulin dosages as your hormones increase. I know how you feel, I was devastated to hear I had GD and then when they told me I needed insulin too I almost fell on the floor. Honestly though, as with everything in life, you adjust and get use to it. You discover what works with your body and what food to avoid and it becomes second nature. I've been at this now for 10 weeks and although it's annoying I am use to it. You will manage, it's not really as bad as you might think. You can't sit an eat a carton of ice cream anymore but you'll find that the diet is manageable. On the plus side, I stopped gaining weight for about 7-8 weeks, my heartburn totally went away, and because I was eating smaller more regular meals I was never hungry either so GD does have some "benefits". Good luck and FM if you have anymore questions.

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

I had with first pregnancy, im pretty sure ill have again. I didnt eat healthy so I had to change my diet. If you eat healthy already youll be okay, just watch the amt of carbs you intake. If you do feel like have a carb just have a piece of fiber with it.. fiber blocks the absorption of the carb. Like if you have a piece of pizza, just make sure you eat a salad with it.

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

I have it, I had it with my first pg so with this pg I knew how to eat and ate very healthy but still got it- I was told it means we have the gene for diabetes and if we dont watch now we will def get type 2 later in age. Doesnt matter how well you eat during your pg though b/c its the hormones in the placenta. I thought I would be free of it this time around no such luck.

I saw a dietician and she gave me a diet of 2100 calories and for each meal and snack how many carbs, fat, prot etc I should consume. its very very easy.
so after meals my numbers were perfect always around 98 but my morning number boo always over 90 so I am on insulin 1 shot before bedtime 20 units of NPH and wallah numbers under 90.
This time around its easier for me to do the shot of insulin than prick my finger 4 x a day.
Its really really not bad at all. Its a healthier way of eating and you wont gain much weight at all.
Good luck!

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

thanks so much everyone for all of the information, it's reassuring knowing it will be manageable, I do not meet with the nutritionist until next Wednesday, so in the mean time I'll just try to be more careful and avoid the things you suggested until I know what I'm supposed to be eating. thanks again!

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

Message edited 9/4/2008 11:21:40 AM.

Re: Anyone else have Gestational Diabetes?

Kristen,
That was very helpful, I'm printing that! I've already done one no no for the day - ate some fruit for my mid morning snack I'm going to check out that website. That should be a huge help. I guess my main concern is figuring out what carbs to eat....

thanks again!!!!!!