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Original poster

I can't seem to control my gestational diabetes.

102 replies

sparklygothkat · 01/09/2007 11:19

Have been testing after every meal. And I just can't seem to control it. My readings are supposed to be 6-7 after a meal, but I am getting anything from 7-10.1 are they going to be pissed off with me? I am trying, but struggling. I have no sugar in my tea, use sweetner on my cereal (ones that the nurse said I could eat) Have used diet stuff and check the sugar content on everything. I don't want to have to go on insulin.

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sonya2580 · 01/09/2007 18:27

Hi their i have type 2 and i was on tablets but they have put me on injecting insulin now my bloods have bin 10 in the mornings when i get up. I have to ring the hospital every few days to tell them my readings and they have upped my insulin about 4 times now and it is starting to come down now i just tested my blood and it was a 4.3

i found this site the other day
www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/gi_diet/glycaemic_index_tables.htm

or you can buy G I low books of amerzon

pepperrabbit · 01/09/2007 18:47

I've had GD twice - the first time I was fine just cutting out sugar etc, 2nd time round I realised how easy I'd had it!
I was testing 1 1/2 hours after eating with DS2 - they moved the goalposts as far as I can tell because it was 2 hours with DS1.
Things that really messed me up were risotto rice and jacket potatoes - as a "treat" I could have boiled potatoes with butter .
Sugar free jelly was my sweet kick and I ate gallons of the stuff. Drinking low sugar squash was a false economy - just get used to water is my advice!
They won't be pissed off with you when you explain what you've cut out - I just didn't realise savoury food could be such a problem and they threatened me with insulin till the suddenly realised I just didn't get it!
I agree with the low GI advice, and while they have said I'm more likely to develop diabetes in later life, I've been clear for both post natal tests.
And remember - it's not for long.
Without wanting to upset you, as I know you have enough to worry about at the mo, have they explained they won't want to let you go over your due date and will quite possibly want to induce you early? It's worth knowing as I was taken by surprise first time round at 38 weeks when they suddenly started trying to book me in
Second time they had more of a fight on their hands!

iris66 · 01/09/2007 19:29

pepperrabbit - I'd conveniently forgotten about the induction risk (this is my 2nd time with GD) it aint happening here though unless there's confirmed clinical reason that's for sure!

Sparkly - somehow I don't think that induction will be an issue for you, based on your history, but with higher sugar the baby gets bigger quicker (I'm sure they told you that anyway). How did dinner go?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 01/09/2007 20:59

I went to a BBQ at misdee's and it was 8.4. I think it was the white rolls as I can't not stand wholemeal rolls. I have been using best of both at home, and I know that its ok. Oh well, will explain that it was birthday party. Have been told that it can cause big babies, but TBH anything over 5lb will be big for me.

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pepperrabbit · 01/09/2007 22:18

Ah yes, I caved in at 39 weeks with DS2 and it took A WEEK to induce me poor mite was only 12 hours early in the end.
But I pretty much hadn't eaten for 9 months and he was 8lb 2oz...

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 11:13

grrr [any] had shedded wheat for brekkie and still my levels were 10.8!!! I don't understand!!

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Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 11:13

whoops that should have been an

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dilbertina · 02/09/2007 11:41

Shredded wheat is also fairly high GI so will cause your blood sugar to spike..... If you can't cope with porridge how about all-bran or special K - they shouldn't make you spike as much. I always found breakfast the hardest meal....

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 11:43

but the diabetes nurse recommended the shedded wheat and the wheatabix

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iris66 · 02/09/2007 11:52

sparkly - ooh I do feel for you. I was in bits last time I had it & it took me ages to control mine. It does take a while to find what you can eat. Hosp dieticians also recommend wholewheat/wholemeal bread but it sends my sugar up loads (cornflakes/rice crispies are pretty bad too. I think some people metabolise wheat more quickly than others. Have you tried having bacon, egg & tomato (no beans!!!)or something with just 1/2 a slice of bread so you're getting the protein to slow things down?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 11:55

I wonder if its because I'm testing 1 hour after eating rather than 2

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iris66 · 02/09/2007 11:57

I'm testing an hour after too. Mine goes into double figures if it gets too low before I eat (I think my body kicks in & releases more sugar in response - as it will if you're stressed)

iris66 · 02/09/2007 13:50

SparklyGothKat - my bible atm is "The Gi Diet Shopping and Eating out Pocket Guide" by Rick Gallop (by Virgin books £4.99 ISBN 0-7535-1032-4)
It also recommends a website www.gidiet.co.uk which has some useful stuff on it.

Keep yer chin up - not much longer now

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 19:51

well, I am very and now, I had a roast dinner this evening, checked the sugar content on the gravy, as that was the only thing that I could see would cause a problem, and that was 0.5g, so figured it would be ok, and my levels were still 8.4!! They are creeping up each day..

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pepperrabbit · 02/09/2007 20:13

sparklygothkat how many weeks are you?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 20:14

30 weeks now.

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pepperrabbit · 02/09/2007 20:31

I wouldn't have thought they'd put you straight to insulin from what you've said - have you kept a note of the foods you've had before the really high scores to show the dietician tomorrow? I demanded the chance to control it with diet once I'd had my dietician appt and they were OK with that - I had to phone in if I had 3 scores over 8 or 9 - sorry can't remember which.
And only 10 weeks to go... (she says encouragingly!).
I do remember the first appt at the diabetes clinic was very very confusing - I'm not sure how it is where you are, but I thought it would be the usual wee test, blood pressure and a bit of diet advice. But I had a scan, a doctor appt, diet appt and found it all quite disorientating - have you got someone who could go with you?
If not (and I remember feeling like a complete numpty) write down your questions.
Not sure if that's any help, but we'll be thinking of you.
Dieticians were all depressingly skinny

pepperrabbit · 02/09/2007 20:32

as an aside - roast potatoes could have done it?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 20:46

really!!?? I thought it roast pototoes would be ok, and I only ate 2 small one. I didn't realise that the dietian appointment would be so in depth, Ithought they would just go through my readings and maybe do some bloods

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pepperrabbit · 02/09/2007 20:56

Sadly, I could only eat boiled potatoes and the most healthy brown chew forever rice by the end. Twas very dull.
I seem to remember there was also some miniscule difference they told me about jacket potatoes - oven ok microwave bad? It's all to do with the way the starch breaks down and therefore how rapidly it's absorbed - so how fast your insulin needs to be to cope with it.
Can you tell I do finance as a day job not medicine?
On the plus side I put on less than 2 stone in total with DS2. But I ate a shedload of chocolate in the first 6 weeks after!
Yes the first clinic I went to had me in tears by the end - I didn't know if I was coming or going, so take your time, and ask everything twice if you need to - they forget that they deal with all this all day every day - and I for one, knew nothing and was overwhelmed.
2nd time round I was positively militant!

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 20:59

I have only put on just over a stone anyway. I think I am going to waste away at this rate

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pepperrabbit · 02/09/2007 21:06

Just think how slender you'll be after the baby's born!
and how much sugar you can consume.
DS2 arrived the Tues before Easter - I have never seen such a big easter egg from DH in my whole life - took me a week to eat it and I'm no slacker!
You sound a bit like me - I've no history of diabetes anywhere in my family, and certainly not overweight so there was no logical reason for me to get GD. I think that's why they worry a bit more. I have to say everyone was very friendly once they feel they've got their message across.
Sadly I can remember women (huge women) drinking the full on coke etc in the waiting room at the clinic - and you just wonder what they're thinking, when you're taking it all so seriously and worrying about every mouthful.

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 21:10

I am normally a size 8-10 and only weigh 7 1/2 stones. My mum and sister have diabetes, but I have never had a problem before. I haven't even had a full fat coke in over a week, have had diet coke, but I think that affected me so have stopped that too. Its so weird basically being on a diet, when I normally just eat what and when I like.

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Original poster
sparklygothkat · 02/09/2007 21:11

thats my normal weigh BTW, I am 8st7lb atm

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pepperrabbit · 02/09/2007 21:17

I know - and everyone's going - "oh have another cake/biscuit/drink as you're eating for two" grrrr
sorry didn't realise about your mum and sister
the GD diet is a little different to normal diabetes diet i think as you need the fat still for the baby (?), the other thing that bugged me was they didn't seem to mind how much artificial crap/sweeteners etc you consumed as long as the magic numbers were ok. Didn't quite make sense to me that pure orange juice was evil but lo-cal orange dyed "chemical poison" drinks as DH calls it, was tippety top in their book!
Don't tell anyone, but between meals when the test police couldn't catch me I'd drink diluted apple juice - oh yes - it was lovely and just a little bit naughty
(Must-get-out-more emoticon)