Just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, what's next? what can I eat?

[Vap0]

Hi, thanks for reading

So, I had a call yesterday morning, I'm 29 weeks 2 days today. My fasting levels were 5.7 and my 2 hour levels were 6. They said that the 2 hour levels were fine but the fasting levels were too high. Can anyone tell me how often I'll need to test? Will I get one of those finger prick machines? Do they give you a hard time if your levels aren't controlled? What are people snacking on? I don't like nuts, not the biggest fan of meat, tend to avoid dairy, in fact I'm just generally fussy, so this is looking to be quite a challenge. I have my appointment to discuss it further on Wednesday but I can't stop thinking about it as I want to try to stay healthy for the baby so I'm super conscious of what I'm eating, trying to cut out carbs is leaving me hungry and grumpy. Did anyone have levels similar to mine? What are the implications of having a high fasting number but a good 2 hour number? Does anyone have any advice? Will it go away quite quickly after baby is born? What are the chances of me still having diabetes for good now?

I'm also feeling incredibly guilty as I must have eaten far too many chocolate biscuits, this will teach me! Still so long to go with so many more foods added to the banned list, feeling confused and fed up

[AliceInHinterland]

Most pregnant women eat loads of chocolate biscuits without getting GD so please don't blame yourself! It can be a bit harder to control fasting levels than post-meal levels, so your diabetic nurse might suggest metformin or similar. Two things that might help your fasting numbers:
(1) Doing some light weights and a thirty minute brisk walk before bed
(2) Playing around with a bedtime snack - I found eating dinner earlier was better, but some people find a high fat snack before bed helps (I would have peanut butter and half an apple as a snack, but some people get on well with ice cream!)
I had to test my fasting level + 2x 1 hour after meals.

[AliceInHinterland]

Yes you will probably get a finger prick machine
I snacked on nuts, meat, raw veg, cheese - but you will need to play around and see what impacts your levels - it sounds like you might be happier taking insulin and having more leeway in your diet?
Mine took a couple of weeks to go away, but you do need to take it as a serious warning to adapt your lifestyle.
It is one of the best things that ever happened to me, four weeks post baby I weigh less than before I got pregnant and I was very healthy after several months on the diet BUT I am really struggling to stick to it now.

[Vap0]

Thanks alice, so having a snack before bed is a good idea then? I'll do my best to go for a walk at night time, hopefully, before pregnancy we used to walk for at least an hour a night but since almost day one I've been too tired. It's such a kick in the teeth.

[shuckleberryfinn]

It's nothing you've done. this is my 3rd run in with gestational diabetes, the first time I was massively overweight with a terrible diet, the second I was very fit with a very good diet, this time I'm somewhere in the middle. You'll get a monitor and lots of support and advice and you have lots of choice in how you deal with this.

[AliceInHinterland]

You'll need to experiment Vap - I was better if I didn't eat anything after about 8 but for some people that causes their liver to release glucose into the system as a sort of emergency back-up.
If you are keen to remain drug free then I found the medical team were understanding as long as I knew what had caused my highs and promised to steer clear next time.
I wanted to remain diet controlled so that I could have a home birth, but it took a lot of focus and my fasting numbers were generally okay to start with. It all depends on your hormones really so no guilt if you do need medication!

[laurzj82]

Hi,

Didn't want to read and run. I had it quite bad; my levels were about double what yours were. I had to go on medication and when that wasn't enough then insulin. Was quite a relief as I was STARVING trying to control with diet only. You probably won't be as bad but I'm sure you will probably see a dietician to help you with all that.

I basically ate really healthy (and clean to avlid hidden sugar) and small portions. Didn't stop eating anything completely, if I needed something sweet I'd just have a tiny bit. Dietician told me 60g carbs max per meal but it might be different for you.

On a good note, I was told baby would be huge, lots of complications etc but she was absolutely fine and a very normal 6lb 13. Oh and when I gave birth I weighed less than when I got pregnant!

Good luck x

[AveEldon]

You''ll get a finger prick machine
Test every morning (fasting) then 1 hour after meals
I'm still snacking on normal stuff incl biscuits and cake as I don't have a problem after meals it's just the fasting levels
Sleeping well and not eating after 8pm is better for me I have found but different things work better for different people

[mummydoc123]

You will do fine with this. Don't panic. If you're having carbs try to make them complex ones so the glucose release is slower. You'd be amazed what a difference it makes moving to brown rice, brown pasta etc. Eat healthily. You might need medication now or as your pregnancy progresses (as insulin resistance increases during your third trimester). Medication will help. You'll find what works for you regarding eating - everyone's a bit different. And no, people won't moan at you if your levels are high but will try to help you (I get lots of support and always have someone I can call on for advice). Let's face it - you're more motivated than anyone to keep your blood glucose levels good! You will have extra monitoring during your pregnancy - extra scans etc just to keep an eye on the size of your baby. I had GD last time and had normal weight baby - 6lb 7 oz, even though I needed significant amounts of insulin. I'm on insulin again this time but less stressed by it all since I know what is involved. Good luck - you will do fine... BTW there is a gestational diabetes thread....

[seven201]

Join the 'gestational diabetes uk mums' Facebook group, it's really great. I was only tested at 38 weeks and had the baby at 39 weeks so didn't really get a chance to crack the diet side of things but bran flakes were a massive no no for me!

[seven201]

18% of pregnant women get gd so please don't feel guilty. I remember thinking people will think it's because I'm a greedy cow but many people with gd have a healthy bmi so it's no-ones fault

[Vap0]

Thanks all for your help. I'm just looking forward to getting this machine on Wednesday so I know what's going on and can see my levels. We do tend to eat dinner very late at night which we will have to sort by the sounds of it, and I also did eat 2 or 3 chocolate biscuits just before midnight the night before the test (to try to stop the insane hunger I get at about 5am every morning that makes me feel sick until I eat) which I'm sure won't have helped. I'll find that Facebook group thanks. Can you link the GD thread on here? The only one I could find was quite old.

[AliceInHinterland]

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