Gestational Diabetes anyone?

[riogirl71]

Hi! I just got diagnosed with gestational diabetes and had my counseling and diet program yesterday. My question is how long did it take you on a diet to get your glucose levels regulated? I followed the diet yesterday and my glucose was great in the morning/afternoon and terrible at night even this morning fasting. Is this something that should be regulated right away or does it take a couple of days? Any other tips?

Thanks!

[Mellie_1233]

Hi Rio, sorry about the diagnosis . I don't have any first hand experience with this to give you. Is gestational diabetes handled like regular Type II diabetes? If so, my grandmother has that and two of her tricks to control her sugar are by exercising and drinking water. (As well as diet, of course). Also, she will sprinkle cinnamon on things and that is supposed to help, too.

Sorry if this isn't good advice. I don't know if the two types of diabetes are treated the same way -- but if they are these are some of her tricks.

There do seem to be loads of pregnant ladies w/this problem though so you're in good company. I'm sure they'll be able to give you lots of good tips.

[riogirl71]

Thanks Mellie! I think it is treated the same as Type II. I do need to exercise more and drink more water!

[sharishu]

Mellie,
I was diagnosed with GD at about 30 weeks. I remember my numbers were borderline for like a day, and by day 2, they were fine. From what I learned from a number of GD women, different dieticians prescribe different diets. Basically, mine is to eat unlimited proteins, fats, & veggies, and a limited amount of carbs/sugars. Here are some tips I learned to help control BS levels:

1. If I exercise for about 10 minutes (even chair exercises) after eating meals with more carbs, my numbers are controlled better.

2. I also learned to wait the specified amount of time before eating again (I was told two hours between meals. I have 3 larger meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch and dinner), and 3 mini meals per day. Sometimes I'd 'cheat' and wait 1 hour only, or 1 1/4 hours. It didn't give my BS a chance to regulate as well as if I'd waited the full 2 hours. When I wait the full two hours, my numbers are lower.

3. At one point, my numbers went up for about 3 days, and I played around with eating slightly fewer carbs- it worked! (e.g., if I was allowed 3 bread exchanges at a meal, I tried 2.5).

4. Drinking PLENTY of water helps, too.

5. When I add fats/proteins/veggies (the 'unlimited' foods, for me anyway) it helps. If fats and proteins are not 'unlimited' according to your diet, then disregard.

6. I believe that in the morning, I was told to wait a full 8 hours (from the night before) before testing, but also NOT TOO MUCH LONGER after that. Waiting too long can actually raise BS (I was told that by my dietician). So, it may help to have a handful of an 'unlimited' food (for me nuts works great) at night, at a time when you know that 8 hours later, you'll be testing BS.

Hope this is helpful! Lots of luck and try not to freak out. (I know I panicked needlessly in the beginning). I just spoke yesterday with a good friend who confided that she had GD with all 4 pregnancies. Her numbers were OFTEN high, and she was on insulin. The GREAT news: her babies were/are completely healthy, and her GD disappeared once she delivered. If you have any other questions I will try and help as best I can.

Be well + congrats!
Shari

[sharishu]

Rio Girl (sorry, the last post was meant for you, too, not Mellie),

Just some technical things I forgot to mention. Make sure you're not testing too soon after eating. E.g., if you are supposed to test an hour after you began eating, make sure you waited the full hour (and no more). I set an alarm to go off so I know exactly when to wash my hands and perform the test. Also, eat your carbs FIRST at meals. If you eat them closer to to test time, your BS levels will be higher.

Again, good luck and let me know how you progress!

Shari