Thursday, June 6, 2013

Gestational Diabetes

Monday I found out the dreaded news...I have gestational diabetes (aka GD). I was heartbroken. I had mentally prepared for the news and took it better than I had anticipated, but it was still a pretty hard blow. My numbers at the 3 hour Glucose Tolerance Test went up over the 3 hours instead of down so they gave me the official diagnosis and told me to call the diabetes educator at Sinai who work with the MFM doctors.

I made an appointment for the next day so that I could get my body on track as quickly as possible. I was given a sample menu and told to test my glucose four times per day. She was particularly interested in my fasting number since it was a little high, but not terrible with the test. She suggested I start an oral medication and gave me some handouts and the prescription. I had to start the finger pricks that day after lunch and it was definitely an adjustment.

I went to fill the prescription and was told that there is a 10% chance that I could have an allergic reaction to the medication based on my other allergy. Of course, I didn't want to risk it with being pregnant and the horrible reaction I have with the other drug so the pharmacist called the educator and said he doesn't recommend it for me. Of course, this now means that we need to keep a close eye on my fasting numbers to see if I will need insulin.

The diet isn't too bad so far. I have to count my carbs, protein, fruit, and fat at each meal and snack and make sure I'm balancing everything out. I was also told to exercise for at least 10 minutes after I eat each main meal to keep my sugars low.

My meal plan is as follows:
Breakfast: 2 carbs (30g), 1 protein, 1 milk, 0-1 fat.
Morning Snack: 1 carb (15g), I protein.
Lunch: 2 Carbs, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 2 proteins, 1-2 fats.
Afternoon Snack: 1 carb, 1 protein, 1 fruit.
Dinner: 2 carbs, 2 vegetables, 3 proteins, 2 fats, 1 milk.
Evening Snack: 1 carb, 1 protein, 1 milk.

This is my second full day doing the diet so I'm working on figuring out what works best for me and my body since everyone is different. I noticed that if I test after 1 hour, my number is still high and my body is still working on getting it down, but my 2 hour number is right in range. 

I still need to work on my fasting number, but I already found out that ice cream and a cheese stick does not work for me. It yields me a 102 and that's what I had the night before the GTT and last night and I had the same result. When I had a 1/2 pb sandwich and milk, my fasting number was 90!

I have another meeting with the diabetic educator in town on Monday which should give me some more insight and options. They tend to conflict with the information given at Sinai so it will be interesting when I see my doctor Tuesday.  I am hoping to avoid medications and hope they give me a little time to figure out what works for me before they try insulin, but whatever is best for the baby is what will happen.


4 comments:

lori said...

Aw I'm sorry you're having to deal with this! I hope the diet sorts it out and you don't have to worry about the medicine!

Unknown said...

You are taking this news better than I girl. I keep having meltdowns about it and I am pissed off!!! I can't even bring myself to blog about it.

Tristan said...

that stinks!!
sounds like you're getting it under control though!

Breanna said...

I'm so sorry you have GD! I had it as well, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)

It can be very stressful, but just remember to stay calm, and if you find something that raises your numbers, don't freak out! I did that, and it wasn't good for the baby.

You'll find things that you can eat, and before you know it the baby will be here :)