Gestational Diabetes Support/Advice

[JoBub]

May 5, 2017 21:10:50 GMT -5 linny12 said:

May 5, 2017 20:59:41 GMT -5 JoBub said:

Keeping a food log is a good idea. I would try adding extra protein to each meal and see if that helps your numbers. Like maybe a hard boiled egg? I've found that even a string cheese is enough protein to help most of the time.

Would cheese or something at bedtime help with the fasting number? I didn't know if I should eat to try to lower it or if that would make it worse.

And if my fasting is high, should I wait a bit for breakfast?

I would try experimenting with your bedtime snack to see if you have any control over your fasting number. But it's hard to say what will happen. I feel like that's the one we have the least control over. Maybe taking a short walk in the evening could help too. I do know someone who was able to keep all her numbers in check, except her fasting was always high and her doctor put her on medication for it.

I would not delay breakfast, because I think keeping to the schedule is really important, but I would keep breakfast small if your fasting number is high.

[simon]

I've been reading through this thread to give me some ideas of what to eat this weekend before my dietician appointment on Tuesday. I feel better about being diagnosed after reading everyone's meal plans and schedule. Did anyone's doctor say what kind of extra monitoring they will receive? I'm already at risk for preterm labor because of my bicornuate uterus so I'm wondering about this.

[JoBub]

May 6, 2017 8:24:50 GMT -5 simon said:

I've been reading through this thread to give me some ideas of what to eat this weekend before my dietician appointment on Tuesday. I feel better about being diagnosed after reading everyone's meal plans and schedule. Did anyone's doctor say what kind of extra monitoring they will receive? I'm already at risk for preterm labor because of my bicornuate uterus so I'm wondering about this.

Last time I was very well controlled with diet and I didn't get any extra monitoring. This time I had a 28w ultrasound bc of a low-lying placenta and baby was measuring big, so I will have another at 32w (and probably 36) to keep an eye on his growth. This isn't directly related to the GD though. Actually my doctor says he doesn't think the size is GD related at all, I just make big babies.

So for some people, doctor will want extra ultrasounds and NSTs at the end, and for some none of that is necessary. It will depend on the "big picture" I think.

[simon]

May 6, 2017 12:00:47 GMT -5 JoBub said:

May 6, 2017 8:24:50 GMT -5 simon said:

I've been reading through this thread to give me some ideas of what to eat this weekend before my dietician appointment on Tuesday. I feel better about being diagnosed after reading everyone's meal plans and schedule. Did anyone's doctor say what kind of extra monitoring they will receive? I'm already at risk for preterm labor because of my bicornuate uterus so I'm wondering about this.

Last time I was very well controlled with diet and I didn't get any extra monitoring. This time I had a 28w ultrasound bc of a low-lying placenta and baby was measuring big, so I will have another at 32w (and probably 36) to keep an eye on his growth. This isn't directly related to the GD though. Actually my doctor says he doesn't think the size is GD related at all, I just make big babies.

So for some people, doctor will want extra ultrasounds and NSTs at the end, and for some none of that is necessary. It will depend on the "big picture" I think.

Yea that makes sense. I'll have to see what he says on Monday at my appointment. I'm already scheduled at 39 weeks for my RCS so that takes care of that part!

[coconuthead]

I am getting growth ultrasounds every four weeks as well, so my next one is on the 30th.

I haven't had my teaching appointment either, not until Monday. There was some mix up ar the pharmacy getting my glucometer so that delayed it. My midwife gave me a little booklet that gives the carbs for different foods and I have also been tracking them on a diet app. I have just been trying to keep things moderate carb and fairly low on the glycemic index. I didn't know about the no fruit in the morning thing...woops. I just had strawberries with my breakfast. Will be happy to get a more complete diet plan. Feel like I have been flying blind slightly.

[Tgrrl]

May 7, 2017 9:25:21 GMT -5 coconuthead said:

I am getting growth ultrasounds every four weeks as well, so my next one is on the 30th.

I haven't had my teaching appointment either, not until Monday. There was some mix up ar the pharmacy getting my glucometer so that delayed it. My midwife gave me a little booklet that gives the carbs for different foods and I have also been tracking them on a diet app. I have just been trying to keep things moderate carb and fairly low on the glycemic index. I didn't know about the no fruit in the morning thing...woops. I just had strawberries with my breakfast. Will be happy to get a more complete diet plan. Feel like I have been flying blind slightly.

From my understanding it's not a general no fruit rule across the board. I think it ends up being very individualized as to how each person will react. It also sounds like each OB practice is different in extra monitoring. Most people I know that had GD only had extra things if they were placed on medication or had issues with glucose levels or were measuring big.

[JoBub]

Easy recipe for adding protein any time of the day:

Mini cupcake tin (or regular size)
Grease the cups
Add some chopped veggies to each cup (I used leftover roasted onions, peppers, carrots from a dinner recipe)
Add whatever seasoning/cheese/anything you want
Beat about 8 eggs in a bowl or one of those glass measuring pitcher things (8 eggs for 24 mini muffin cups)
Pour eggs over veggies
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

You can store them in the fridge all week, and stick them in the microwave for a few seconds. You can also freeze them if you want to make in bulk. I've been having 3 of these with some low-cal oatmeal for breakfast. I remember getting really sick of these by the end last time, but there's tons of way to change the flavors up if you start to get bored with them.

[linny12]

I finally had my appointment with the dietian. She said I was doing good except for my fasting number and that she'd like me to limit myself to 2 carb choices for meals, except for breakfast, which she wants to limit to 15 grams. She said also didn't think I need snacks.

[JoBub]

May 9, 2017 11:10:04 GMT -5 linny12 said:

I finally had my appointment with the dietian. She said I was doing good except for my fasting number and that she'd like me to limit myself to 2 carb choices for meals, except for breakfast, which she wants to limit to 15 grams. She said also didn't think I need snacks.

I'm glad you have a plan! For low-carb meals, try searching Pinterest for Whole 30 or Paleo recipes. The no snacks thing sounds completely different than the advice I was given. I have to eat every 3 hours or my sugar would drop too low. But I say give it a shot and if it doesn't work, tweak things just a little at a time.

[coconuthead]

I had a high fasting number this morning too. She wants me to take walks in the evenings which I think might help with my morning number but right now I can only fit morning walks into my schedule until the end of the week when I will be done with school. And this dinner and then a snack before betime stuff is kicking my ass because normally I fix dinner for DH and I after my kid is in bed and that doesn't leave enough time to do all that. So I am having to rearrange my whole day around my meals and blood sugars.

[JoBub]

Easy, yummy snack option to look for next time you're at the grocery store. Comes in a 3-pack. 14g carbs, 7g protein

www.sargento.com/our-cheese/balanced-breaks/balanced-breaks-natural-white-cheddar-cheese-with-almonds-and-dried-cranberries

[JoBub]

May 10, 2017 11:09:36 GMT -5 bdblz said:

May 10, 2017 10:45:12 GMT -5 JoBub said:

Easy, yummy snack option to look for next time you're at the grocery store. Comes in a 3-pack. 14g carbs, 7g protein

www.sargento.com/our-cheese/balanced-breaks/balanced-breaks-natural-white-cheddar-cheese-with-almonds-and-dried-cranberries

These are really good. I have them often. Costco has a 12 pack if you shop there.

Thanks! I love Costco. We'll have to make a trip there this weekend! 

[xxjen015]

@blbdz my dad is diabetic so I used to use Splenda when I'd bake something for him in high school. I think there may be a specific Splenda just for baking. It's been over 10 years, so I may be remembering wrong, but if that's the case, it may make a difference!

[linny12]

So I keep reading about GD babies maybe needing time in the nicu for sugar issues after birth. The hospital I plan to deliver at doesn't have a high level nicu. Should I look at other hospitals?

I'll be asking my ob tomorrow what his thoughts are.

[Tgrrl]

Finally met with the educator today and got my meter. First check was 1.5 hours after lunch and it was 88, so I feel relieved. She told me if I'm comfortable and my levels are good I don't need to see the nutritionist. After dinner was 81. I feel relieved that I've been doing well. Hopefully all my numbers stay this way!

[linny12]

I ended up on meds morning and night. It's still not touching my fasting numbers, and now during the day I drop pretty low- like my vision goes blurry and I get lightheaded low. Yesterday I had to drink an oz of orange juice when getting W from the sitter because I was afraid to drive.

I start twice weekly appointments next week, and have to see the dietian once a week, so there goes my maternity leave **laughcry**.

I saw a different doctor than usual last week and I normally feel really comfortable with him, but he said some awful things and then wrote the prescription wrong. Luckily the pharmacist caught that it didn't make sense. I think he was having a bad day, but I can't shake what he said. Blah.

[linny12]

bdblz I'm on 2.5mg of glyburide twice daily. I'm worried the next step is insulin

[coconuthead]

I had an appointment today to go over my numbers. My 2 hour numbers have been great but my fastings have been high. She said she will give me another week to try and get it under control but I worry I will also be headed down the path to medication. We'll see. Yesterday I had success with eating a low carb dinner, taking a walk and not eating any snack and got an 89 fasting number. I think I should keep doing that but she really wants ne eating a snack. She said try two days with a protein snack (which is what I have been doing all week) and two days with no snack and see what my numbers are. So we'll see. Really wanting to avoid meds but coming to the acceptance that if I do need them it's ok and I am doing everything I can right now to control with diet and exercise.