Gestational diabetes- the challeng

So I've been tracking what I've eaten and my glucose levels for a week now. I have sympathy for anyone who has to do this earlier on or who are diabetics. I have to test my glucose 4 times/day. I can't stand needles or blood. My 2 hr after meal numbers have been excellent-low numbers no problem. I have had 1 high fasting number. Freaked out by that, I immediately took to the internet and was also blessed to have a husband who's a nurse and told me what to try. Some people do not eat enough at night so their body "crashes" at night-thinking you're starving it, will release glucogen (I think that's what it's called)and this elevates your am fasting glucose numbers. I have now resorted to eating a peanut butter cookie before bed and even drink a little milk in the middle of the night. This has helped my morning numbers. Some of my numbers have been dangerously low-one was 56 and I've had quite a few in the low 70's. My husband freaks out at those numbers, reiterating that in the hospital, those numbers would be a reason to give a patient some sugar asap. I have an appt next Monday, 7/27 to check in and see what the next step is. I wonder if they misdiagnosed me. I've tried to eat so much better with this baby and elimate snacks after supper. That could have been the culprit to my little high 101 fasting score on the 3 hour test. Some sites wouldn't have determined this to be considered gestational diabetes until it hits over 105. I just want a little more sugar, some more freedom to eat something different and to stop poking my fingers.

Test Results

So disappointing. I received the phone call I was hoping I just wouldn't get. Yes, you've failed the 3 hour glucose tolerance test! 2 out of my 4 results were elevated. The very first fasting one & after the 1 hour test. My two and three hour test were well below the allowed limit. My body just isn't breaking it down quick enough is what they told me. Not sure what that means. I feel a sense of hoplesness. I've had 3 uncomplicated pregnanacies. Now I realize how lucky I was and how stupid I was for taking that for granted. Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes and being hormonal was enough for a tear to develop. I tried so hard to eat low carb/low sugar diet. I'm angry that after all of my efforts, it didn't pay off. Oh how I'd love to have a brownie or some ice cream. Part of me wants to give in and eat-what difference does it make? After all, I ate healthy and still had failed the test. I worry that I did or didn't do something to cause this and put my unborn baby at risks. What had I done wrong this time I didn't do the times before? I don't snack much at all and only eat 3 small meals. How can that do this:-(

Another Day

I never thought I'd be overcoming the challenge of a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. It gives new meaning to a healthy baby and normal pregnancy, which I obviously will never take for granted again. I'm on day 5 of my crash diet of decreasing carbs and low sugar. I had the low sugar part already under control, but had no idea how much food I love contains carbs. I now find myself not looking forward to eating and in fact, sometimes don't care if I skip a meal. I rarely eat snacks between meals either. Now I wonder if my husband is indeed right, and I'm not getting enough nutrients. Is there not a happy medium? We'll see on Tuesday when I do the 3 hour tolerance test.

The joys of pregnancy

Life is busy when you're married, working outside the home full-time and have 3 boys under 12 to keep up with. Try adding on being 7 months pregnant. I'm sure all of the moms out there can relate. This being my fourth and very last child, I was expecting the normal run of the mill pregnancy similar to my past ones, non-complicated except for the vericose vein on one leg, being nauseas for 4 months and really tired. This one is more challenging, adding the potential diagnosis of gestational diabetes. I recently took the one hour test and failed it miserably with a result of 190. So high that they just wanted to start monitoring my glucose levels several times a day. I'm not one for needles, blood, or having to make several trips into the ob deptartment to monitor this. It meant I'd have to slow down. After discussing my concerns with a nurse and getting permission to delay the monitoring, I'm now taking the 3 hour test next Tuesday, July 7th. I have learned since my previous test (which was just a few days ago) that even though I tried to avoid sugars, my high carb diet was contributing to this problem. I'm such a picky eater that I quickly became discouraged at what all I could not eat. Wow, lots of foods I took for granted. After reading about complications with the baby, I became determined to change my diet to a low carb, low sugar diet. I've been doing this now for 3 days! Doesn't seem like a long time I know, but to drastically change my eating habits, read lables is an incredible challenge. I don't know if it's all in my head, but I actually feel like I have a little more energy and don't feel quite as fat. I'm hoping my crash diet will make my test on Tuesday go much better. I'm sure other moms or future moms can relate. And if any of you have helpful advice on how to overcome this diagnosis, I'd love to hear suggestions!

Have a safe and happy 4th!