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Elizabeth
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I've had trouble with blood sugar throughout this pregnancy but mostly it's been too low. My midwife has me following pretty carefully with a glucometer at home. In the past two days, it's shifted dramatically into the diabetes range. Part of me thinks the glucometer is on the blitz, but that could be the denial part  .
Anyway, I'd like to get these numbers under control without going to the hospital tomorrow or Saturday (dh and eldest dd will be gone). Does anyone have a gestational diabetes diet that's tried and true? Any other thoughts??
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Elizabeth
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One more thing: does hydration affect blood sugar levels? I've been really careful about staying hydrated but I didn't do so well on MOnday...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Christine
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I have been doing research on gestational diabetes because I believe that I had undetected gestational diabetes during my last pregnancy (the first test was positive, as always, but the second was negative, as always). Aside from various symptoms, I had never put on so much weight, my baby boy was 10 lbs 12 oz, and had to go to the NICU and have an IV placed in him because his blood sugars were extremely low (hypoglycemia). I have never spent so much time away from one of my newborn babies. 
I usually suffer from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Something that I came across which I found interesting on a couple of medical websites is that it is very hard to detect gestational diabetes if a person has hypoglycemia because the secondary test for diabetes cannot detect the diabetes. As a precautionary measure I asked my doctor for dietary guidelines. I have not been very good about following them. Although, ironically, I believe I unknowingly followed these guidelines with my previous pregnancies.
My ob gave me a diet for spontaneous hypoglycemia which is very similar to the gestational diabetes diet. The diet is based on a high protein, low carbohydrate plan. It is divided into three stages (and three lists) and each stage should be followed for a week (or what is recommended to you) before moving on to the next stage.
The Basic Meal Plan for Stage 1 draws mainly from List A with a few things from List B.
List A foods and the few List B foods and recommended quantities for the day are as follows:
2 eggs (poached, scrambled, soft or hard boiled, baked, fried, omelets or souffles made from other allowed foods)
5 Tbsp. fats (butter, margarine, mayonnaise, heavy cream, bacon, salad dressings, oil, shortening)
Meats (all meats, fish and poultry)
2 servings breads and cereals (bread ~ 1 slice, etc.)
Minimal sugar free sweets
Water is recommended over other beverages, or tomato/ vegetable juices
Vegetables (asparagus, bean sprouts, green or wax beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chicory, cucumbers, escarole, eggplant, greens (beet, chard, collard, dandelion, kale, mustard, spinach, turnip), lettuce, mushrooms, okra, peppers (red or green), radishes, sauerkraut, summer squash, tomatoes, water cress.
1 serving fresh fruit
2 oz. cheese (all except whey cheese such as Mysost)
Now that I have finished trying to list all this, I remembered that the South Beach Diet is one that is good for those with gestational diabetes, or the possibility of it, to follow. Your library should hopefully have the book describing the South Beach diet and some South Beach diet cookbooks.
I hope that I am not infringing on copyright by posting the above, but it is not in the format in which I received it (it is a short and perhaps incomplete summary of the first stage). I would state from where it was taken, but it is not mentioned on the paperwork I received. If you can, get your hands on a couple of South Beach diet books and if need be please see the doctor.
You are in my prayers!
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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JennGM
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Elizabeth,
I'm so sorry to hear this. I had this happen to me, earlier on in my pregnancy, and ended up on insulin. They say that people that have a tendency to hypoglycemia have a higher chance of having this in pregnancy. Plus the age....It's no failure on your part. The placenta is doing haywire things...and if you need to take insulin, it's not a bad thing. You have only a little way to go. Diet will keep things mostly under control...but sometimes, you will need medical intervention. I've been there, done that. I was watching everything like a hawk...and still couldn't keep the numbers down.
You have all the tools already, Elizabeth, because you know how to balance your sugar with protein... The endocrinologist had a diet that I couldn't follow -- way too many simple carbs. They praised me on how I already knew how to identify the good foods...and I know you're SOOO much better than I.
What worked for me -- 6 meals a day...which you are probably already doing. Balanced, always with a protein some complex carb.
Look for glycemic values to help you out. You have to start reading labels or carbohydrate indexes of the foods you are eating. Counting carbs is very important...the lower the better. I can't remember the exact balance, but something like 15 carbs per serving.
From my experience...regardless of what diet "they" tell you, just keep to the very complex carbs. The book "Sugar Busters" or any of the Low-Carb diets (South Beach) will give guidelines on what rate glycemic foods are. For example, grapes convert to sugar and make your blood sugar go up much faster than apples. You don't
necessarily need to go on the restricted caloric diet of South Beach, but their meal plans and suggested foods are very helpful.
High protein diet with multiple small meals. Since you're busy, carry a small timer with you to remind to snack and check your blood sugar. This is crucial. If you can do dairy, things like cheese and triscuits, cheese and apples, hardboiled egg and apple. Pack a cooler. And do pack an emergency sugar fix in case your blood sugar drops. I had to do insulin, so that was more a problem for me. Unfortunately, finger veggies like carrots are higher in carbs than say broccoli. The best thing you can do is be proactive--plan ahead and watch the clock. All my high blood sugar episodes happened when I didn't plan well.
Don't eat too much fruit, always whole and balanced with a protein, never fruit juice. Certain fruits have higher glycemic values -- avoid them. No cereals. Eat veggies, complex carbs and lots of protein. Potatoes are very high glycemic. If you are doing some high carb food, make sure you combine it with a protein. I did a lot of plain yogurt. Eat as soon as you get up, and right before bedtime, also.
Drinking lots of water helps lower my sugar level. And that's what the nurse told me, too. Not sure how it works, but that was a huge signal for me -- if I was thirsty, correspondingly my sugar was high. When I had some really bad high sugar spells, the office told me to drink lots of water.
Walk and exercise if you can. Diet and exercise and hydration keep the numbers down. I couldn't because I had complete placenta previa, so that made things worse for me. If you start feeling thirsty, it's a probably sign that your sugar is creeping up. Having the
shakes means it's going down. Don't wait to eat -- you know this. Sugar levels either plummet or skyrocket fast in pregnancy. Try to listen to your body. Also TRY to keep the stress levels down, because that makes the blood sugar levels go up.
The Brewer Diet will work for GD.
2 links concerning GD, have you read
info here
and
here
I have to find it, but there's a plus size pregnancy website around that has a good diet posted...I've just lost my info. Here it is: very good information here.
Gestational Diabetes is a bit unpredictable...something might work for you one day, and the other factors in your day (stress, exercise, no exercise) could make your sugar go up. And skipping a meal, or being late with a meal, made my sugar rise -- something completely opposite than anything I experienced in my life. I had to get used to that aspect. I got so sick of force feeding myself.
If you need more help, just holler.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 2:46pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
| I've had trouble with blood sugar throughout this pregnancy but mostly it's been too low. My midwife has me following pretty carefully with a glucometer at home. In the past two days, it's shifted dramatically into the diabetes range. Part of me thinks the glucometer is on the blitz, but that could be the denial part . |
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If I got some strange numbers, I would take 2 or 3 tests to verify. I got a new glucometer because I was getting inconsistent readings. Change the battery, just to make sure.
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Family in Feast and Feria
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stacykay
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Hi Elizabeth,
I had gestational diabetes with my past two pregnancies, and on insulin with both. The first time, I didn't get diagnosed until 31 weeeks. It took the 3 hour glucose test to diagnose it.
The dietician I saw gave me some of the same recommendations as above, but varied slightly, in the protein and carb recs.
Here is what I was told:
No fruit juice.
No added sugar or sweets in anything (dessert-type.)
I also had to eat six "meals" with a somewhat regimented order:
Breakfast within 30 minutes of getting up (about 8 am for me, at that time in my life,) and to include a protein (I usually had boiled eggs and threw out the yolk-never have liked them!) and no more than 30 G of carbs. I usually had a piece of whole wheat toast and a glass of milk.
A snack 3 hours after breakfast (11 am,) to include a protein and a carb. Cheese on apples was a common one.
Lunch 2 hours later (1 pm,) to have a protein and carbs, from 30-45 G.
Snack three hours later (4 pm,) with a carb 30-45 G, didn't nec. have to have a protein, so I varied.
Dinner 2 hours later (6 pm,) with protein and 45 G carb.
Snack 3 hours later (9 pm) to be about 45 G carbs. (I usually had popcorn.)
The dietician wasn't so concerned about the proteins, except at breakfast and morning snack. She was very concerned about very strict timetables for eating, and to eat no sugars. Also she emphasized the complex carbs. No white bread, or anything like that. Now, the carb amounts, I think were based on my weight  , so yours would probably be different.
I did have a problem eating all of the food rec., and keeping up to the carb rec. I rarely was able to eat it all.
My sugar levels were great (of course, that was with insulin added, too,) and never went over the recommended levels.
My last preg. I started the regimen at 20 weeks.
I haven't had any problems since, but do check my levels about once a month. If anything, I run low now.
The main thing is to aim for even blood sugar levels in the suggested range to prevent baby's levels from jumping and spiking his/her  insulin production.
I hope this helps you. I will pray for you that it is a fluke with your glucometer, and if not a fluke, for a healthy delivery. baby, and mom!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
dh Frank 21 yrs. and 6 dss, Matt, 18, Mike, 15, Pete, 11, Mark, 8, Paul, 4, and John, 2
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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Could I not be getting enough carbs? I don't eat wheat or oats...my carbs are pretty much limited to fruit...I don't do any sugar or sugar-sweetened anything. Oh, and I haven't had a problem with gaining too much weight. I've gained a total of nine pounds at 31 weeks.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 3:36pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
| Could I not be getting enough carbs? I don't eat wheat or oats...my carbs are pretty much limited to fruit...I don't do any sugar or sugar-sweetened anything. Oh, and I haven't had a problem with gaining too much weight. I've gained a total of nine pounds at 31 weeks. |
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You do need carbs, but not that many.
What kinds of fruit? I'd caution you on the fruit, as that can make your sugars go up. It's the glycemic index you need to look at. Glycemic Food Chart And for me, I can't do anything in the 40s...grapes are a killer for me, as oranges, etc. My endo said to avoid fruit. Also beans are a source of protein, but my body says they are also high in carbs, so that made my skyrocket.
Did you ever get your own glucometer and strips? Although the usual is testing 2 hours after meals, I had to start testing 1 hour and then 2 hours after a meal. I had a quick response and the docs were concerned. But if you can, watch how your sugar rises after eating meals.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Elizabeth
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I have my own glucometer and strips. What could explain my levels being higher at 2 hours than one hour--after eating a bowl of soup and half a chicken breast?
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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Elizabeth wrote:
| I have my own glucometer and strips. What could explain my levels being higher at 2 hours than one hour--after eating a bowl of soup and half a chicken breast? |
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That you have gestational diabetes. It's not what you're doing. It's the placenta is sending all sorts of mixed signals and not sending enough insulin.
I probably shouldn't have mentioned that...it confuses the situation. I can't remember why I had to switch to 1 hour for a while. I eventually switched back to two hours checking. If I have time I'll dig up my binder with all my GD stuff. I kept all my sugar levels and GD information in a binder that I took with me everywhere. Then the lunchbox, insulin, snack and glucometer and strips. It was probably the most organized I've ever been organized. 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 4:21pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth, looking back at my binder...I puzzled the endocrinologist, so she told me to do the 1 hour tests. I can't remember why. I just was feeling awful after eating... That was the interesting thing...
Do you take your blood sugar upon waking up? That's another indicator of the GD. Also checking ketones in your urine.
And it's now referred to "insulin resistance", so you might find more information on that front.
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aussieannie
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Dear Elizabeth,
I remember reading something you wrote recently about your hypoglycemia and then another old posting about your thyroid (but I can't remember whether you HAD a thyroid conditon) so disregard what I share if it does not apply.
I am a servere hypoglycemic, so much so, I have given up sugar for life (except Christmas Day and Easter Sunday) it gets far worse in pregancy, because all women have a natural tendency towards it anyway without any pre-existing condition.
I have discovered something quite remarkable (considering I have been hypoglycemic and hypothyroid for more than a decade now!) that I am more hypoglycemic when I am more hypothyroid, this hit home to me finally in the last few months as I had an extreme hypothyroid drop last year and I was ravenously hypoglycemic like never before and then at the beginning of this year, when I first changed my thyroid medication to a natural extract and then accidently over-dosed on it - as I came off that overdose, I must have hit a level that was really right for me, because I felt like I had never felt before and I could eat whatever I liked (not sugar but tonnes of poor quality carbs) and I never suffered a single hypoglycemic episode. The light bulb went on and then I aquired a book called "Solved: the Riddle of Illness" and there is a chapter called, "Medical Look-Alikes: Hypoglycemia and Hypothyroidism" Aahaa, said I!
Now back in my first pregnancy (12 years ago) I had the diabetic test, drink a potently sweetened drink without fasting and I came up just in the 'diabetic range' so it was off for the BIG TEST! I had to fast from the night before, turn up at the hospital, drink the same drink at 9am and have my blood taken then and every hour after that for the next 3 hours. Well, within 1/2hour of drinking the drink (my husband was with me, thank goodness) I started to feel jittery and those feelings worsened to an extreme degree, so much so, that they had to put me in a hospital bed to monitor me, it was extreme and it was the feast of St Raphael, and dh and I were praying to him for his immediate assistance! They rang us the next day, to have say they wanted to re-test me because they said something must not have been down correctly as the tests showed that my sugar level plummetted to .07 and I should have gone into a coma! My angry dh said, "Over his dead body!" It wasn't a failed test, everything HAD been done properly and I can only assume that if I walked out of hospital like I did, St Raphael had his hand in it. So it wasn't diabetes AFTER ALL even though at first test it looked like it!
So my only suggestion would be, to have the thyroid throughly investigated, as it might be an underlying cause in it all - some people's thyroids only play up in pregnancy and just beyond, then they go back to normal, you might be like that. Mary Shomon from the US said to me only the other day, how they often play havoc in pregancies.
As I said, I might have misunderstood your old posting, where you were talking about your thyroid, but I thought that I would mention my problems that sound a little similar to yours at present.
Hope you can have it resolved soon!
(This is not the first time I have brought up thyroids into a discussion and it might seem as if I am seeing thyroids hiding behind every dark corner! ...but unfortunately I do!)
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aussieannie
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Well, I've had a look and found some interesting information, that might be worth a read.
"...the sluggish liver of the hypothyroid stores glucose more slowly than a normal organ. Therefore, the blood level of sugar may register high during a fasting glucose tolerance test. The patient may also spill glucose in the urine and for these reasons will probably be labeled a "prediabetic".
"When such an individual is put on thyroid therapy, the liver begins to function properly and the glucose tolerance test is normal," said Dr. Barnes. "Many so-called prediabetics are really hypothyroids. This accounts for the fact that so few of them ever become diabetics."
When I had a phone consultation with Mary Shomon from www.thyroid-info.com she talked about how the thyroid effects the liver and adrenals, which then causes serious trouble with hypoglycemia in pregnancy.
I am not saying that the condition is not true diabetes, but the women I know who traditionally develop diabetes in pregnancy, are not diagnosed at any stage with hypoglycemia. But that doesn't mean there are not cases out there that do. It is so hard to get to 'the bottom of things' and sometimes you learn the causes way after they've come and gone! I do hope you get concrete answers soon!
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Elizabeth,
I had GD with baby #2 (9 years ago) and kept it well under control just by changing my diet. I can dig out my meal plan if you need it, but everyone else has given you really good advice. I do remember following it very closely 'cause I was scared not to... and because I felt so much better when I did. I *had* to have snacks in between meals and before bed and would get very shaky if I went too long without food. And ditto to what Jenn said about drinking lots of water and exercising if your numbers are up. It was a pain (literally ) checking my blood 4 times a day, but I learned a lot about the effect food has on my body. Not that I've continued to act on that knowledge... 
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