Gestational Diabetes General Chatter #3

Welcome to the BellyBelly Gestational Diabetes Genral Chatter thread
If you have any questions or experiences with Gestational Diabetes that you'd like to share or discuss, please feel free to do so in this thread.

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Don't forget to read the two BellyBelly threads on Gestational Diabetes:

Article by Henci Goer on Gestational Diabetes: The Emperor Has No Clothes
Gestational Diabetes & Induction

Your previous thread can be found HERE

D'oh just realised I've been using full cream milk for the last day. I bet that is what made my cereal reading jump so high yesterday, cos the fats keep the sugar in your blood longer right? At least that would be a bit of an explanation.
Anyway I had two pieces of toast today with a little butter and vegemite and pulled a 5.1 so happy with that.

Thanks Kirsten. I will see what I can do. I am not a big carb eater normally because eating alot of pasta, bread etc makes me look bloated..... If that is what I need to do though, then I will do it.

Jess - yeah full cream milk would do that to you for sure..... At least you know what the culprit was....

Actually full cream milk shouldn't have an impact onyour sugar. THe fat in the milk will slow down the absorption of the sugar in the milk. I was actually told to not worry about the fat content of things as it was actually beneficial in keeping sugars down. So you might need to look elsewhere for the culprit Jess.

YOu might want to try this database to get an idea of things which are high and low GI. I found it really helpful when I wasn't sure on some things. The database seems to be having problems at the moment, but give it a shot when it is up again.
The Glycemic Index

Thanks for the link Kirsten, that will be very helpful for me :-) I didn't know about this website.

Your right about the full fat milk kirsten. From what I've been told dairy is good because it has a mix of protein and carbs and therefore is lower GI. I often have a small choc milk as an on the go snack. Jesstibb you more than likely had too large a portion of cereal. Lucky you with the toast I can't eat two pieces for breaky even with 18 units of insulin.

Shell lucky you being told to eat more carbs. Like kirsten I am a carb addict and really miss them. Can't eat potato very often any more but small portions of rice and pasta are ok. I never have any trouble with the Lean Cuisine meals. Just goes to show that no two diabetics are the same!

Thanks if anything it has educated me on the foods that put up my blood sugar levels etc......

Hi guys,

I was diagnosed with GD approx four weeks ago and have been monitoring my BSLs ever since. No insulin yet. I had several readings over 7 in the first two weeks, but my OB (bless her cotton socks) gave me another two weeks to try and bring everything under control. It ain't easy - but hey, we all know that - and I've posted about four high readings in the past two weeks. Including one day last week where I was 9.6 after lunch (my fault, I STUPIDLY ate two sweet biscuits) and was a 9 after dinner (can only assume rice noodles were the culprit). Since then though, I've managed to keep them down below 7. Obviously two consecutively high readings aren't real flash though!

Anyway - my question to you all is ... have any of you been to see an accupuncturist/naturopath/herbalist? And if you have, how did you get on? For the past couple of weeks I've been seeing a qualified/accredited a/n/h (she's all of the above mentioned stuff ) who has dealt specifically in fertility/pregnancy for the past 20-odd years and I'm sure her therapies are starting to help with my BSLs.

I've got my next OB appt tomorrow, and given I have posted several higher readings in the last two weeks, I'm wondering if she'll give me another week to see if the natural therapies will do the trick as far as my BSL are concered. Fingers crossed.

Also ... I read this morning that mums-to-be with GD who are in labour can be given up to four intravenous drips (well, I guess it all goes through the same needle into the arm) continuously. The four being glucose, insulin, saline and oxytocin (I think). Does anyone know if that's normal practice during labour where GD is present ...??? Man, I'd really like to avoid having that happen (although bub's health is my first priority ...) but still .... ! Any ideas??

Wow - sorry for long post. Welcome any thoughts you all have.
Cheers, Andie

Hi Andie,

I have never heard of the intravenous drip for births of mums with GD..... That is news to me..... Just speak to your ob about that because I am pretty sure it will be right. I suppose it depends on person by person.....

I found it hard at first to get used to the bsl's as well, hard to stay under 7.0 at first.... Then you eventually figure out what foods send you over the limit. Rice noodles is a definite no no for me, always end up with mid to late 7s if I have it. I have been told to stay below 6.9 otherwise I will need to start up on insulin. I am now almost 35 weeks pregnant so trying to avoid insulin if I can..... I am seeing my diabetes doctor this week. Have you been referred to a diabetes doctor as yet? or just the educator?

I haven't seen a naturopath or anything re: GD.....

Hi Shell,
No, my Ob hasn't referred me to anyone yet, but I imagine it's a strong possibility. So far she's just told me to stick to a low GI diet (the accunpuncturist etc told me to follow a gluten-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free, no sweet tastes diet ...).
Anyway, I'm seeing my Ob tomorrow, so I might ask the question about a diabetes educator.
Cheers, Andrea

Ohhhh I see.... I was referred straight to the diabetes educator and diabetes doctor.... I suppose all ob's are different :-)

I just did my BSLs after lunch (2 hours after) and I had 3 small baby potatoes with protein and veges and my levels were only 4.6. I was wondering how a small amount of potatoes would affect me.

For a GD mum, when you are in labour they will take your bsl hourly. Two consecutive high results will mean that you go onto a drip. I did have the combo. There were only three: glucose, insulin and syntocin. I think the glucose and insulin came with saline fluids. You won't need the syntocin if you aren't induced. I don't think you can do too much about it because if your sugar shoots up during labour there is a higher chance that bubs will have a hypoglycemic reaction after birth and may have to go to special care for monitoring.

After birth they will take bubs BSL, then they will take it 3 hours after every feed to make sure that all is well. If the sugars are low they may suggest giving a bottle of formula but the best solution to low BSL is breastmilk. Even if bubs is too sleepy/not really interested in feeding yet you can express some and syringe feed it to them. You only need a couple of mls to correct low BSL in a newborn.

Shell - I was told by dietician that the baby potatoes are the best ones to eat because they have a different kind of starch to those big fluffy creamy baked potatos ... yum

Andie - Let us know how the natural therapies go. I've been on insulin since 7 weeks so it's been all about diet control for me. The midwife told me that when I go into labour, either induce or natural, I go off all insulin. They do test throughout labour and if you need it they will give you and insulin drip. She said because you're not eating you usually don't need it.

I was diagnosed at King Eddies in Perth (major maternity hospital) so each time I have an appointment I have to go to the diabetes clinic and see the ob, diabetes educator/midwife, diabetes dr, dietician. Might be different for you depending on the type of care you've chosen.

Thanks Teachmum, I didn't know that. It is a whole new learning experience that is for sure..

Had my 34 weeks check up. My readings have been mainly good, except for the "bad" eating of chips and some junk (which I normally do on a weekend).

The diabetes educator had Type 2 herself so had heaps of question.
Happy I dont need the insulin.

Would you girls know (cos Im sure Im going to have an inducement) when they tell you the date (meaning, how many weeks till they know) as Mum coming up from Sydney and needs to book a flight.....

Ye had things like pancakes, nugget etc. The pancakes (the wholewheat one), had a few too many so spiked it up a bit!

Caz - what are your levels like? The diabetes educator told me I don't have to go on insulin just yet, but possibly in a few weeks time, but my diabetes doctor said I do need to go on insulin..... You and I are only a few days apart on due dates, so I am just curious on your blood sugar levels :-)

Hey Shell, hows it all going?

Ye the diabetes educator said nothing abt me going on insulin.

My doc said for me to watch my diet and that I need to cut out things like Mackers/KFC for a diabetes free life. My mornings are fine, and after breaky/lunch but come dinner - if I've been naughty then it will be over 7 or under 8. The diabetes educator said for example, if I wasn't pregnant and got a reading of 8 then that's fine.

Are they going to induce you? Dr mentioned they induce week 38/39 so maybe due in beg. of March now.

Caz

p.s. Im usually in the low 5' before breakky, med 5 to low 6 after lunch. If Im good at dinner, low 6'.

I am seeing my obstetrician this week to find out if I will need to be induced or not. I would prefer for the baby to come out naturally though, so shall see what he says. I suppose it all depends on how big my baby is at the moment. Hoping he will send me off for a growth scan or at least give me an idea on his size.

I have cut out all junk food like that completely, I sometimes treat myself with hot chips though because I crave them, but it doesn't affect my levels since I don't have too many.

I am low 5's or high 4's before breaky, med 5 or early 6's 2 hours after breaky, then mid to late 6's 2 hours after lunch, and mid 6's after dinner...Mind you depends on what I eat....

Shell, yr readings sound better than mine, so strange why u may have to go on insulin.

The dr said baby was not big, but I've got lots of fluid around (which is part of the diabetes).

Ye would be great if we dont have to be induced....

That is why I am so confused.... My blood pressure has always been normal as well, so I just don't understand. I plan on talking to my obstetrician about it for his view. I suppose every diabetes doctor and educator are different though hey?

Oh ok, I will let you know how I go with the obstetrician.

Yeah fingers crossed.....

Shell - are there any low GI Foods which may push yr levels up?

No..... mind you if I ever have rice noodles that will always push them up, so I now stay clear away from them. My levels have been pretty good today.

Argh so tired, but need to work back today, might just stay back a little....

My hubby and I couldn't be bothered cooking so went up to McDonalds which we never ever do and had a burger (no bun) chips and diet coke. I don't eat the bread normally because I am gluten intolerant and yeast affects me big time. But anyway, my reading was only 6.8 which I was pretty happy with, considering I had chips :-) Just very naughty for having the chips, tried not to eat the whole thing though.... Made me feel better after the day I had.... ;-)

Hi Shell, must be something about being pregnant. We had KFC for dinner and I just had to have some chips and a burger (have been really hungry today). Checked by BSL and it hit 8.3 which isn't too bad considering I had most of the chips. Can feel the indigestion starting to kick in now, so I think a Zantac could be for desert!

Yep after just eating a salad with thai beef for lunch I was starving for dinner this weekend. So DH got me 6 nuggets and a cheeseburger. Reading was 7.1!

Today my doc told me off (kinda) for eating junk food!

It is funny how things you would expect to make your readings go off the scale, and don't.....

Hi Shell,
I have been following a diet like that ->gluten-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free, no sweet tastes diet. I have managed to keep the blood sugar below 6.7 for two weeks following that philosophy. I got some frutiy chews from the Diabetes shop and also some sugar free bisuits from Wollies and those fruity ones from Arnotts. It's really hard sometimes though when all you can think of is all the nice food out there....
Gina

Priceline sell Celebrity slim fruity chews - they are really delicious - the flavours are cherry/strawberry.
Also found some great Low GI choc bars, including one that tastes like Picnic.

thanks for the tips girls :-)

A word of warning with the sugar free stuff though - if youeat too much it gives you diarrhoea!

haha yeah that is true.....

Hi all,

Had my Ob appt yesterday and she said my readings aren't too bad overall, so no need for insulin.
I'll keep monitoring and doing my best to keep them under 7! Still no talk of me going to a diabetes educator, so I guess she must think I'm doing something right. She's more than happy with me taking chinese herbs too (I kinda expected some opposition!).

I asked her about whether or not GD mums need several drips in during labour, and she said not usually. Generally (... apparently) it's if the mum had diabetes prior to being pregnant, or if the GD is pretty out of control. She said my BSL were likely to be monitored every now and again during labour. As for inducing ... according to my Ob that's less common nowadays too. In her opinion, she'd induce no earlier than 39 wks, but that's only if she felt there was a real need.
As we've established, Obs seem to differ in their opinions, but I'm happy to go along with my Ob.

As for the natural therapies ... I'm trying to take the chinese herbs three times a day (a bit yuk but ok if I 'chug-a-lug' followed by a water chaser!) but I'm struggling with the herbal tea that I'm supposed to have four times a day. It is vile! I don't usually mind herbal teas (been having lots of peppermint or raspberry leaf) but this other stuff totally sucks the big one! Oh well, I guess if it helps! I don't mind the accupuncture either but I'm a little clueless at the moment as to whether it's proving beneficial. However ... I'm thinking positive and keeping an open mind!

I'd better go get some (low GI) dinner ready!

Cheers, Andie

Hello every one:D

I'm living in Ireland but will be moving to Maroochydore in June but i have had GD on all my pregnancy's and had insulin the last time they have me down as diabetic in the hospital and im on the diet already very hard when im feeling so sick food is the enemy at the moment
but i have a few question I hope you can help me with

if you do need insulin is it covered by Medicare or if you are public it is here i got every thing for free.

what way do the doctor / hospital work at the moment I go to the diabetic clinic every 4 weeks i get fasting bloods taken then eat go back and have more bloods taken an hour later then see the two doctors baby and diabetic doc to check every thing else if my blood sugars dont behave they take you in and ten its on to insulin

hope you can help thanks niamh:)

I was just googling GD, as you do, and found an interesting GI Newsletter issued by the University of Sydney. It had some interesting articles and even mentioned some low GI potatoes. Its free to subscribe and its monthly by email.

If anyone is interested - ginews.blogspot.com

One of the girls said baby potatoes are the way to go :-)

Yeah the January newsletter actually named a couple and had their GI numbers.

I didn't know the drip thing during labour wasn't very common. I didn't have diabetes pre pregnancy and I had very well controlled levels but my BSL started climbing even though I hadn't eaten for nearly 12 hours.

Niamh, here you will probably have to take your BSL every morning and two hours after the main meals. They will put you on insulin if you can no longer control it with diet. I had to pay for insulin.

:

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Hello every one:D

I'm living in Ireland but will be moving to Maroochydore in June but i have had GD on all my pregnancy's and had insulin the last time they have me down as diabetic in the hospital and im on the diet already very hard when im feeling so sick food is the enemy at the moment
but i have a few question I hope you can help me with

if you do need insulin is it covered by Medicare or if you are public it is here i got every thing for free.

what way do the doctor / hospital work at the moment I go to the diabetic clinic every 4 weeks i get fasting bloods taken then eat go back and have more bloods taken an hour later then see the two doctors baby and diabetic doc to check every thing else if my blood sugars dont behave they take you in and ten its on to insulin

hope you can help thanks niamh:)

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Hi Niamh,
I live on North side of Brisbane, not far from where you are. I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes two weeks ago. There are a few things you need to do:
1) You must contact Diabetes Queensland and get a membership card for the National Diabetes Service Scheme. This will entitle you to get test strips at a really low cost (about $6 per box compare to $30-50 at the Chemist), I would assume that the insuline will also be of cheaper cost once you have your card. See website Diabetes Australia for further details. They have shops in Brisbane as well, one in Cabolture Hospital. Not sure about Maroochydore as I live near Cabolture.
2) Sign up for a Diabetes Seminar at the hospital you are going to. They gave me a booklet with very usefull information about eating and also had eating plans which I have followed and kept things under control. It is very easy to loose focus, so a book like that is really helpful for reference.
3) The hospital should provide you with a gluco meter that you can hire if you don;t have one yourself.

I go and see the doctor and a Diabetes Educator every second week. Not quite sure yet what is done at these appointments as I have my first one tomorrow.

When it comes to feeling sick, try to look at what food you are having. Maybe something is giving you high sugar and making you feel sick? Try to have as much vegetables (not starchy ones though) during the day in various forms. Maybe try some cuppa coups or make your own vegetable soups and have that with burgen bread. I know it's not so exiting.....but it's better and you will feel better too. I found that frozen vegie packs from Birdseye 2 minutes in the Micro sometimes is a good snack to make the energy levels go up or a simple carrot.

Hope you are feeling better soon. Take care of youself.
Gina

Well I went to the diabetes doctor today and he said I don't need to go on insulin and just to make sure my BSLs are under 7. My next apt and last apt with him is in two weeks time. But he thinks I will be right without insulin as long as I am careful over the next 4 weeks :-)