Anyone else got gestational diabetes? Top tips welcome!

[Angelico]

Hello all

Currently 35+2, got diagnosed with GD a couple of weeks ago after repeat GTT ('passed' the one at 25 weeks for raised BMI, seems to have come on around the 30 week mark). Got finger pricker etc last week so 6 days in to blood testing and aiming to control with diet only as due for CS at 38+4.

Have't seen dietician yet and struggling to find conclusive info online. Certain foods (pure orange juice, sweet stuff - even a couple of bites! - mashed potato) seem to send blood sugar high (highest reading ever today 9.3 after mash and literally 2 bites of DH's banoffee! ). I was wondering what other people have found useful foodwise? Any good suggestions for meals?

A typical 'good day' for me (ie super low blood sugars)...

Breakfast:
Slice of brown toast with either cheese and beans or scrambled egg. No orange juice.

Snack (11am or 4pm depending on what I'm doing):
2-3 oatcakes with cheese / hummus

Lunch:
Bowl of leftover dinner from night before (see below) or homemade lentil and tomato soup with cheese and ryebread.

Dinner:
Steak stir fry with noodles, spag bol with wholewheat spaghetti, stuffed chicken with roasties and veg, oven cod in batter with oven chips and plenty of veg.

I would love to hear some other good suggestions for meals or any warnings about particular foods. Or if you just want somewhere to vent feel free to jump on board :)

Hi all! Hope everyone is getting good readings today. I bought some Discovery wholemeal tortillas at the weekend and they have been a great lunch carb with chicken or bacon, avocado and salad. Usually around the 6.3 mark. I've eaten so much avocado this pregnancy as it has been one of my cravings (the other was 'plastic' cheese, like babybel) that I think I'll have an Avocado baby - my sister had this book when she was young and I keep thinking my little boy might be like the superhuman avocado baby

I hadn't heard about colostrum harvesting so will ask the MW on Friday. I had loads at around 27/28 weeks - spots on my pyjama top every night - but nothing at all recently. Hope it's just waiting below the surface to emerge!

Thank you Fjordmor for the positives of a hard and fast labour. I will look up some threads and focus on the good stories, rather than the bads!

As for exercise, I've seen some great results when I've done a walk post meal so try to fit that in when I can, while trying not to just walk to the local shops and spend money!

Just bought some more hospital bag food - dried soya beans. Woo! I can't wait until this diet is over... just over two weeks to go! Only the small matter of labour and delivering a baby to do first... piece of cake!

As for biscuits, my dietician said hobnobs and digestives are ok if no more than two a day, so although I have cut out sugar, I have sneaked a hobnob once or twice . I also have been having berries with cream as a pudding when DH tucks into the ice cream. Dietician recommended cream because of the high fat content!

Oh also fjordmor I suffered quite badly from constipation earlier in the PG (sorry everyone if it's TMI) and became quite reliant on lactulose, which is obviously out on a GD diet, so I've taken up eating a couple of tablespoons of flaxseeds/linseeds (I think they're the same thing!) on yoghurt each day and that seems to do the trick! You need to follow them with a large glass of water though for them to work, apparently.

mrsv2 - thanks for insulin/labour info. I guess I'll also get more from my endocrinologist next week. It makes sense that the hormone releases are more crazy during labour, making it necessary. As long as I can stay mobile with my drip & monitor, and I've been assured I can, then it will be fine.

Smicha - wholemeal tortillas sound great. Did you have just one to get that reading? I found lots of good threads on here when I searched on 'induction positive'. I was pretty nervous when first told it was on the cards for me. I guess it's like any kind of birth - no guarantees it will be better or worse than you expect but what I've taken away as a positive is that it very much doesn't have to be bad - there are many women who had good births this way .

Vermicelli/angel hair is my carb friend at the moment! I find it can act as both 'noodle' or spaghetti substitute. 2 'nests' & I feel like I've had a big bowl of pasta yet it's never sent my sugars above 6.2!

Smicha cross post - great idea! I actually have some linseeds as well from when I used to make my own muesli! Will defo try. Thanks!

I also suffered/ suffer with pg constipation and have been given Laxido by my consultant. It's sugar free and has been excellent.
I have stored my colostrum in the freezer and have been told that if it's needed DH will have to fetch it and bring it in a freezer bag packed with ice packs. We o my live 20min away so not too bad. Not sure how it would work if you live further away. If we don't use it then my plan is to use at home...... Defrost then syringe into baby's mouth Pre feed, don't want to waste it

Yes, just one tortilla wrap for that reading. They aren't as big as standard wraps either, but I found it a filling alternative to one slice of soya and linseed bread!!

mrsv I like that idea as we're just 20 mins from our hospital too so I may give that a go for my own peace of mind... if I can get the colostrum to reappear!

Guys, I was told lactulose is fine with GD! Apparently it isn't absorbed into the body at all - it just has the effect of drawing water into your stools and passes through. So if you need it go for it :o (I'm sure linseed is better for you though).

I am slightly concerned my bloods are starting to creep up even though food is the same. Pre-dinner I was 5.6 tonight but only 6.5 post lunch so not really high and it was about 4-5 hours between meals. Slightly concerned I am going to start rising after doing so well...

Smicha, I found wholemeal pittas good, they are only about 30g of carbs. I also found I could have a small portion of Ben and Jerrys (I had either choc fudge brownie or New York Super Fudge Chunk) and it didn't affect my blood sugar. I got the Ben and Jerry's tip of a different GD thread on Mumsnet when I was pregnant.

Angelico, it's normal for your bloods to go up rapidly at the end of pregnancy. It's when they go down you need to worry, as it can indicate a serious problem.

Oooooh, more info Midori? I was hoping to maintain them as consultant was really pleased with them :( She was saying it's especially important to keep them steady in the last week so I don't like seeing any anomalies... I thought with 6.5 post-lunch (ie good) they would be pretty low and good pre-dinner so the 5.6 was a bit

Friend is coming for coffee this morning - no biscuits for Angelico! Same tomorrow with different friend. I also find it makes other people uncomfortable if I'm not having anything so they don't like to IYSWIM.

Also a bit pissed off that it's last chance to go out for a few nice meals etc and have to watch every frigging bite :(

It's my lady few days and my blood sugars are a bit bizzarre..... I have never had a Pre breakfast reading below 5.5 until this week and they are around 4.5-4.7 but then when I am normally controlled at lunch and tea they have been high. Even a 9.9 which was shocking...... Only 2 days to go til induction and then fingers crossed back to normal

MrsV so excited for you - only a couple of days to go!!! :o :o :o Will be cheering you on!

Absolutely starving here One ham, cheese and mushroom omelette coming up! :o

Gosh! So soon mrsv2! Indeed let's hope for an immediate swing back to normal. Do keep us posted of your arrival and sending you calm, coping vibes! :)

I know what you mean Angelico - would love to go out for a nice meal but feel so... disappointed... can't have the usual things. I really hope that everyone gets back to normal after this - all the snacks I'm filling my hospital bag with (despite my best intentions) are supposedly for dh, but have got my eye on them if I'm allowed to munch freely afterwards. I do honestly think I'll try to cut out refined sugar afterwards, as it has been very enlightening, but I'm going to eat some cake first!! (does that sound really bad??!!)

Yes, mrsv will be thinking of you on Friday - do let us know how it goes when you get a moment and what they do differently Mums with GD.

Angelico there really is no consistency to dietician advice as mine said absolutely no to lactulose, no to prunes, prune juice etc so when I asked what I could use, she said that a high fibre diet should be enough . It was my Mum who suggested the linseeds!

Midori thanks for the tip on Ben and Jerry's... but I'm not sure I could stop at a small portion!!!!

happynappies I really haven't thought about what I'll do if I don't go back to normal puts head in sand and continues not to think about it as I want cake straight away! I will change my eating habits though, I've learnt a lot from this diet.

I've got my parents here at the moment and they brought a homemade frangipan tart for my DH! Talk about cruel They said it had to be eaten so if they'd left it at home it would have gone bad. DH offered to freeze some for me, but it was baked by my lovely BIL who's a chef so I've just asked him for a fresh one post-birth

Bizarre bloods for me today - 5.2 this morning, so they're steadily creeping up again, but then just 5.6 after a wholemeal tortilla at lunchtime. And I sat on my bum for the full hour post-lunch so didn't work off any glucose! No idea why it was so low... Let's see what dinner brings.

Excited for you MrsV hope you're feeling nice and positive in the run up to Friday, still time for nature to take its course! I keep getting twinges and thinking 'is this it?' but nothing major. DD2's birthday on Sunday so I'll hang on until after then, then baby can make an appearance whenever s/he sees .

Had a higher score (7.4) this afternoon after my normal lunch... had just had raspberry leaf tea, does anyone think that could have affected readings? Or is everything going a bit un-predictable? Was 4.something after lunch and evening meal yesterday...

I have continued to go out for meals.... Just been careful what I have chosen and always had a meat / fish dish and asked for new potatoes as my carb. Have had gnocchi in an Italian and that was fine too. Have chosen starter over pudding and it's been fine although i have had a cheese board once.We even went to the harvester and I just had a few chips and dh finished off the rest.
I am also not thinking about it not disappearing, I just can't face it

Happy I totally hear you on the cake thing! I just want one sweet thing without guilt, then keep eating healthily :o

Smicha with respect to dietician I think she is talking arse :o Consultant told me it's fine and gave me complex explanation involving the word 'isomer' or something (?!) lol but essentially the body doesn't absorb it. It's the sweet taste that makes you think it must be bad but it's not. Anyway just found this explanation:

Most patients think that lactulose is like lactose and that it is a sugar that will raise glucose readings. However Lactulose is a synthetic sugar that is broken down in the colon into products that pull water out from the body and into the colon. It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body. Because it is broken down in the colon it is not absorbed in the intestines and therefore has little if any effect on glucose levels. Jon Murray, MD / Ruskin, FL

MrsV like you I can't bear to think about it! The finger pricking and constant vigilance is getting old! I am hoping it will be a warning to me to live somewhere in between current existence and 'normal' life.

Chicken stir fry for tea tonight. Really hungry today, don't know what's wrong with me

I'm really hungry today too!!! My Mum joked that it's because my body is getting ready and baby might appear soon so it's telling me to stock up on energy

Thanks for the lactulose explanation!!! I'm going to tell her she's talking arse!!!

I've been for another growth scan and consultant/diabetes appointment today. Got congratulated on my sugar levels and am still diet controlled.

Baby is measuring spot on still but there is a bit extra fluid so had to have more blood tests.

I've had my induction booked for next Friday (21st) when I'll be 39 weeks exactly. Had a stretch and sweep and I'm 1cm dilated but cervix needs to turn a bit more. She had a good rummage though lol.

Can't believe I've only got 9 sleeps til induction! Both my dd's were 2 weeks late so this feels so strange!

I'm hungry too......
Yes I hope it's a wake up call for me too, I'm over 40, a bit overweight, do no exercise as such and have a family history of type 1 and type 2 all be it a few generations back. Will need to get off my lazy back side and lose weight post birth. May aim is not to worry til after Xmas then go for it as we have a holiday booked in July and would be nice to wear a cossie without feeling awful

Had a bowl of veggie soup before my stir fry... ended up 7.9 and that was after walking about a bit

Melted it is getting closer...! :o

MrsV how are you feeling? Excited? Nervous? July sounds like a good target to go for :)

angelico relatively calm today.......i have emptied the washing basket, changed all the beds, done an online food order ( to be delivered when my parents are here), the freezer is stocked with some meals, had my eyebrows threaded, made up the cot. Think i am ready.....
on another note i had some gnocchi, chorozo and veg with some fruit / natural yoghurt which would normal be fine and got an 8.9 so 2 extra units for me.

MrsV I will be hopping from foot to foot for you on Friday :)

Getting palpitations on and off - anyone else? Am reading online that they are common after 7 months due to increased blood volume but same heart, also more likely if you are anaemic (I am on iron but crap at remembering to take it). They feel unpleasant - just want heart to quietly do its work without making me aware of it thank you! :)

Night all x