Borderline Gestational Diabetes

Some tips I learned:
I would look into using agave nectar and stevia instead of sugar, eat only low glycemic index fruits like granny smith apples, and any type of berries boysenberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.... eat more whole grain brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes instead of bread, regular potatoes they're easier to digest and healthier for us... drink less juice and more water... eat every 4-6 hours. when you eat before 4 hours it messes with your sugar insulin and when you go more than 6 it messes with your metabolism...

I hope this helps a little!!! and RELAX your baby will be happy and healthy! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!!! Happy Thanksgiving and wonderful weekend!
-N.

S., Sounds like your body is having a little trouble metabolizing the sugar due to hormonal changes of pregnancy. Please don't panic, but do make some changes in your diet to help decrease the risk associates with gestational diabetes. First, you have to eat a lower carb diet and try to steer clear of simple sugars (yeah, I mean things like all those yummy holiday treats, soda, Starbucks drinks, juices and breads). You will want to increase your protein intake slightly and exercise daily as well to try to keep your blood sugar in a safer range. Bashas and other pharmacies may still be giving away free glucose monitors (I got one this month), but insurance also will pay for them with perscription (Ask the Dr). Testing your blood when you are fasting and 2 hours after a meal will help you see how you are doing. There's a lot of good info online about a healthy diet too so you might want to do a search. Try to keep your weight gain to the recommended pounds to help reduce your chances of having a large baby.
I'm currently in my 3rd trimester and am "borderline GDM" too as my 3 hour had only 1 abnormal sugar level (you need 2 abnormals of the 4 to be classified gestational diabetic), so I empathize with your concern. Just follow the dietary guidelines, exercise and relax. Best wishes. R., Certified Nurse Midwife now married SAHM of 2.

Hi!
I will be going for my glucose test in the next week or two, but wanted to offer this suggestion if you choose to monitor your blood sugar at home.... Find anyone that's diabetic, and ask them for testing supplies! Every single diabetic I know, has extra monitors and testing supplies (strips, needles, etc). They get them free or almost free, and can't help stocking up...
Don't panic. Your doctor has seen this more times than you can imagine. If you really are nervous about it, encourage him/her to send you for another glucose test. You have every right to know for sure. :o)
Congrats on the baby girl due in January! Buy pink! :o)

I am 29.5 weeks pregnant with twins. They found my GD early (but it might have been pre-existing). At first they tried DIET to control it. I was doing okay during the day but my fasting glucose numbers (1st AM reading) were too high. They ended up putting me on Glyburide to control the numbers. I am still not doing great with my eating so I keep getting in trouble. For me, thaey wanted me to eat every 2 hours or so. Some days I eat only twice a day. I am having twins and I feel like I can't breathe at times - let alone eat AGAIN !

For me, the carb counting was pretty easy (at the beginning). They had me eat 30 carbs for breakfast - 15 for a snack - 45 for lunch - 15 for a snack - then 45 for dinner - and a last snack of 15 to end my day.

They said that snack at night/bedtime kept my blood sugar from going too low on the meds over night. PLEASE NOTE - this is for a TWIN PREGNANCY. They allowed me MORE carbs than a mom carrying ONE BABY.

For my numbers on the glucometer - they wanted them between 60-90 for fasting and between 135-145 one hour after eating meals. I am supposed to check my numbers/prick my finger four times a day. I don't always do this since I don't eat that many meals.

Pretty much for you - just watch your carb intake. If you eat less carbs than they told me to eat you should be fine. Exercise is important as well - I can't really move much anymore - so I need to eat better (and more often) but I;m not - hence the reason the nurses keep getting mad at me.

My OB had a Diabetes Educator that I see every once in a while. Find out if your office has anyone to talk to like that - and make an appt. The one thing I have learned is that your DR/OB is there to take care of you. Tell them you want to talk about something and have them make you an appt. That is what they are getting paid for. They should be happy that a mom wants to take an active role in her health and pregnancy.

Good Luck.

i had the same thing - my doc was also very vague and just said cut down carbs and sugar.

i just pretended i had full blown and i cut out all sugar and limited carbs, if you dont it could turn out to be full blown diabetes and you will have a large baby - and i knew i didnt want thtat!

I had gestational diabetes and I was probably at 90-95. I checked my sugar regularly by pricking my finger 3 times a D. with the diabetes glucose monitor. For me it wasn't just "regular" carbs, it was MILK which I felt like I could never get enough of. So ask your doctor for a diabetes diet plan, they should have copies readily available and I would also ask him to prescribe you a glucose monitor, test strips and the little needles. It isn't painful. Keep a log on what you eat and what your sugar is and also measure your food. Best ofluck to you.

I'd try the forums at mothering.com....only because there's a lot of women there who have had to deal with the same issues. The Glucola is NOT the best way to test for GD, it is notoriously inaccurate, and you might be able to talk your doctor into letting you do an alternative diet instead (menus online can be found).

Hi! Both my pregnancies were the same--I failed the first test and then passed multiple tests, but still occasionally spilled sugar in my urine. My doctor wasn't so casual about it. I was actually prescribed a glucose kit (or you can buy the supplies OTC at most pharmacies) and checked my sugars first thing in the morning and 2 hours after meals. I brought my numbers to my OB visits and we were able to track them that way. In both cases, I did end up diagnosed as gestational diabetic later in pregnancy and was placed on glyburide because of the lack of time to change things. The reason to stay on top of things is not just for you, but for the baby. The finger sticks are easy and painless and a great way to monitor yourself. Good Luck!!!

Hi S.,
I had the same problem with my Dr. very vague on what to do so I scheduled an appointment with a nutritionist. I let the office know that I was pregnant and borderline. She gave me a plan of how many carbs to eat each day etc, and she educated me on carbs, sugars, and the way they are broken down in the body and educated me on why my body was doing what it was doing. I felt like I could better understand what I needed to eat and then found recipes online so that I could know what the carb count was per serving. I felt great during that pregnancy and actually lost weight. Good luck.

Something similar happened to me. Even though I passed my 3 hour fasting test, I started testing my sugars with a glucose monitor. That has really helped me see what makes my sugars spike and what can keep them under control. The monitor and strips are pricey, but knowledge is power and just being aware of how my body works is worth it!

K.