Gestational Diabetes Test

[aerlinger]

Hello fellow pregnant ladies!

So, I had my gestational diabetes test this morning (yes, I did go first thing this morning when they opened as opposed to what Episode #19 said and that was to eat a good breakfast and go in the afternoon). We'll see how that worked out. I'm also very afraid of needles so I was a bit nervous about that - but figured having my blood taken can't be worse than childbirth.

Anyway, I'm nervous to see what my results will be and I find that out tomorrow at my appointment, as well as receive my shot for being O- bloodtype. Busy appt tomorrow.

Just wanted to open up the topic of the sugar test and see how everyone else's went. Was your baby really active a few hours afterwards like mine from the sugar high? ;)

I watched my sugar intake the day before, but that was really hard since sweets are what I'm wanting all the time right now. :)

Anyone else want to share their experience of their glucose test?

[skipnjif]

I am not going to have my glucose test for a few more weeks, but I am familiar with it from the first time I was preggo. Everyone talked about how BAD the serum was that you have to drink, but I really didn't find it to be so bad. Hmmm...What does that say about me? I hope your test results come out great. I am also Rh neg (is that what you're having the shot for...you're O- ?) so I have had the stupid shot twice already. I actually found IT a little more unpleasant than I expected. Good luck!

[aerlinger]

I didn't find the glucose that bad to drink either. It just tasted like orange soda, but bad orange soda ;) Atleast it was chilled!

I had my 28 week appt this morning and it was the least favorite appt so far. I got the shot for Rh neg and I agree, it was unpleasant. Hurt! Having my blood taken was easier! I haven't found out my results yet, because they weren't back yet.

I also got a stern talking to about gaining too much weight too fast. So far I've gained 20 lbs throughout my pregnancy, but 15 in the last 8 weeks. I don't know where it's going - my ankles perhaps? ;) I've been told to cut out the pizza, potatoes, juice/soda, fast food, etc. etc. etc. And to take an uninterrupted brisk 30 minute walk every day. I can barely walk to the bathroom sometimes!

Does anyone have any suggestions for healthy things to eat or meals to make while you're pregnant?

[npittard]

I took my glucose test a few weeks ago and barely passed. (139 or less is passing and I got a 139) I too took it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Even though I passed, I have implemented some of the suggestions from the podcast on gestational diabetes. I'm eating more protein in the morning rather than loading up on carbs first thing. I still drink my juice but instead of corn flakes I'm having things like ricotta sweetened with splenda and blueberries on a whole grain english muffin.

I was up 25lbs at 28 weeks 12 of which were gained since 21 weeks. I don't really know what else to do though. I'm exercising and watching my calories. I mean I do still eat some things that I know aren't the best but I'm not just eating junk all the time or anything. I think I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to gain what I'm going to gain and there is not much else I can do about it. I haven't had a stern talking to just yet but we'll see how much I've gained at my 30 week appointment next Tuesday.

[skipnjif]

I had a lot of trouble with weight with my first pregnancy. I only gained 6 or 7 pounds before week 20, then started gaining about 1.5-2 lbs a week after that. No matter what I tried, nothing seemed to help much. My doctor felt like it could just be part of the way my body "protects" itself and the baby from starvation. Both that time, and moreso this time, I am trying not to eat after 8:00 p.m., drink LOTS of water, and eat small meals often. This time, it seems to be working...walking DOES help. I also have a Fit Mama workout that I really like. Good luck, and I hope your glocose results are good.

[aerlinger]

Well, I just got a call from the doctor's office and they informed me I failed my glucose test. :( She told me that 141 and under is considered normal and I came in at a 180. Please someone tell me this isn't exceptionally high, because I'm really freaked out.

So, they won't test me again, they're just considering me a gestational diabetic. I go in for my appointment regarding my diet and they'll tell me about checking my glucose level.

Please, if someone out there has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and you've been through it - - I need some words of encouragement and that everything is going to be ok. Please email me at aerlinger@cox.net.

Thanks so much! :)

[skipnjif]

Aww....I'm so sorry the test came back so high. They aren't even going to do the three-hour test or whatever it is?

As I said before, the only one I have taken (with my son) was normal, but I have known several women who were considered to have it. They had to follow a semi-strict diet, but it was well-laid out for them. I haven't known anyone who said that having been diagnosed was out and out terrible. Hey! it'll keep you disciplined about what you're eating! Plus, I think they keep a closer eye on your baby's size, etc. so maybe that will mean an extra peeek or two at your little bean. I hope everything unfolds alright for you and that you feel well.

[aerlinger]

Yea, they said since my levels came back so high they're just going to "consider" me gestational diabetic (going to refer to it as GD, because it gets hard to type the full thing out ;)

I feel like I should be tested again. That perhaps my body was reacting strongly to that first surge of glucose on an empty stomach. Or that it was just a combination of things in my body.

But, I'm trying to come to the realization that maybe this is a wake-up call for me and that I need to be taking care of myself better and in turn, taking care of my baby.

My mom heard from a few girls at work that some doctors will tell you you're GD so that they have a reason to put you on a strict diet. Who knows. . .

I'll keep you posted and if anyone out there had GD when they were pregnant or if they do now, please post with your food recommendations and your experience. My mom and my husband can only tell me so many times that it's all going to be alright. . .

Thanks :) :)

[skipnjif]

That's kind of scary that they would make something like that up! Is your doctor willing to retest you? I think most of us can stand to be reminded that we have to take care of ourselves. It's hard enough when you feel GREAT, but when you're tired, swollen, hormonal, can't get around quite as well, and you're craving "junk"...it's pretty tough! My thoughts are with you.8-)

[aerlinger]

Good morning everyone!

Update from the Gestational Diabetes girl!!

I had my appointment yesterday with my OB's nurse practitioner and she explained to me all about GD, my meal plan and testing my glucose.

I'm still very confused as to what I should be eating during the day, but I think I'm going to follow the sample 2200 calorie meal plan for a week and then maybe I'll be brave enough to switch some foods out for other foods on the plan. My meal plan consists of breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack, dinner and another snack all stretched out through the day about 2 to 3 hours between each one.

I haven't received my glucometer yet, so I can't start testing my blood. However, they tested me yesterday in the doc's office around 2:30 p.m. and it was at 107. A big decline from my test results of 180, but that was in the morning. I have to test my blood four times a day; right when I first wake up, 2 hours after breakfast, 2 hours after lunch and 2 hours after dinner. I was nervous about pricking my finger 4 times a day, but it really didn't hurt. Now that's when the nurse did it, I haven't tried it myself. ;)

It has been a big bump in the road for me, but I'm trying to stay positive. And my husband and mom have been a HUGE help in keeping me in that frame of mind, so I am VERY thankful to them!!

I would love to speak with someone else who has had GD, so that I can hear their experience and get some ideas on good meal plans. If you have been through it, please email me directly at aerlinger@cox.net. I would love to hear from you!

And congrats to the 5 podcasters who gave birth these last two weeks. Wow! :) That's SO exciting! :)

Take care everyone!! :)

Angie

[skipnjif]

Angie,
You have such a great outlook on the whole thing and I know you'll do great! :D

I'm glad you got some of the answers you were looking for about your diet, etc. And it's great to hear that your glucose level was lower in the office. Hopefully you will continue to have numbers on the lower end.

Good luck!

[aerlinger]

Thanks so much skipnjif for the kind words :) My numbers have been low and I have another doc appt tomorrow morning. We'll see how that turns out. Thanks again! :)

[mikcom]

I'm going for my test on Wednesday. I'm a little worried. I think I've been eating pretty healthy, but I definitely have been letting myself indulge in sugary snacks every once in awhile. I was much better about not snacking in the summer when all the yummy fruits were in season, so I didn't crave the candy and stuff so much.

Anyway, I've heard so many conflicting stories about whether you should eat or not eat ahead of time (I'm going first thing in the morning) and I'm just not eating anything sweet (other than a piece of fruit or something) for the next couple days. I hope it works.

Any advice?

[aerlinger]

I went first thing in the morning and my levels still came back at 180. They said it wouldn't have mattered what time I came in. However, I still don't think I truly have GD, but it did force me to change my diet and start eating healthy - which is a good thing overall for both me and my baby.

Good luck! Let us know if you pass.

[mikcom]

Thanks! I'll keep you posted. Man, I felt pretty awful after drinking that stuff. I just got my appetite back about 2 hours later!

[tealfrosted]

Ohh no!! The day i feared is here. I'm going for my diabetes test today at 6pm and I'm not sure what the result will be. I try to eat healthy but I heard that part of it is genetics. My mom had diabetes so Pleeease pray for me, wish me luck, or whatever works :(
Thanks
Nely

[alliekat9260]

I just found out that I have it also ( I am over 139) I have to go in for my first dietician appointment on Thursday. I am nervous about what they will say. My father is diabetic, and I know what he ahs ot go through on a daily basis.

[aerlinger]

For someone who went through Gestational Diabetes, it will be ok!! I was so scared at first, but it really was a blessing in disguise. I stopped gaining a lot of weight, and actually weigh less now than I did before I was pregnant. The only crappy part about it was checking my blood, but it was actually kind of fun to do that after a while and see what the result was. Exercise a lot!! Walk a lot if you can, that ReALLY helps!!

Be happy you don't have to go through the holiday such as Thanksgiving and Christmas - that really sucks! LOL ;)

And then the only other thing is your baby will have to have lots of heel pricks to check their blood sugar.

To this day, I'm still not sure if I had GD - - but it really did help control my weight gain. My baby was 7 lbs, 9 oz when she was born, so she wasn't a huge baby and she was really healthy, except for a bit of jaundice.

Good luck! Just stay positive and you'll be fine! :)

[skipnjif]

my little hambone had to have lots of heel pricks anyway! She was 9lb 1oz when she was born (even though I did not have GD) so they wanted to keep an eye on her blodd sugars. She was fine, fortunately, just a hearty little girl!