Living with Gestational Diabetes

It was October 28, 2008. That was the day I learned I had gestational diabetes.

Most women who find they have gestational diabetes learn so by taking a Glucose Tolerance Test at their doctor’s or midwife’s office between 24 and 28 weeks.

However, there are several, like myself, that learn about their gestational diabetes because of another complication; be it mild or severe.

The first hint for my doctor was I exhibited polyhydramnios, or simply put: too much amniotic fluid.

So, after taking the glucose test that confirmed his suspicions with a failing result of 184 (normal range is 130 to 140), I was officially diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.

I was devastated! I was desperate to understand how this could happen to me. After all, I never had it in my three previous pregnancies. I wasn’t overweight, even for pregnancy. My diet wasn’t that horrible. There wasn’t a history of diabetes in my family – even very extended family.

Surely, I thought, I had been wrongfully diagnosed. But I wasn’t.

Following confirmation of the gestational diabetes, I was prescribed a blood glucose monitor and test strips along with instructions to test my sugar levels four times a day: fasting (within 15 minutes of waking up in the morning) and 2 hours after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was recommended that my readings be less than 100 for fasting and less than 120 two hours after meals.

All that time I thought my diet wasn’t that horrible, only to find that after eating a bowl of Rice Krispies, my two hour number was 180! And after eating a serving of lasagna and one roll, my two hour reading was 212!

It was real. I was a gestational diabetic. That is when the depression set in.

For several days, I cried. I researched all I could. I had the wits scared out me with the articles I Googled. I felt, at times, I wouldn’t make it to delivery. I kept researching for some type of “cure.” The days began to drag on endlessly as I anticipated not so much the birth now but the end of this horrible “disease.”

I thought I just couldn't do it. The frequent finger-pricking, the inability to eat the things my body craved, the constant carb counting, the food scheduling. Ugh, it was just too much.

Again, I was wrong.

Through all of my research, the help of a dietitian, and my doctor, I learned how to manage my gestational diabetes with little hassle.

One of the most difficult things to learn with gestational diabetes was how to decrease my fasting blood sugar levels. As I stated earlier, my doctor wanted to see my levels below 100. Most mornings, in the beginning, my levels were between 110 and 125.

How did I correct this? I found that by eating a high protein snack (usually peanut butter and crackers with a full glass of milk) just before bedtime, I could keep this reading between 80 and 95.

Other gestational diabetics I've talked with had success with snacks such as yogurt, cheese and crackers, and egg salad sandwiches.

Ok, so the day's first reading was resolved. Now came the two hour after meal numbers.

Despite trying to eat healthier, my number still ranged between 130 and 160. After talking with a nutritionist and learning to count carbs, I was able to keep those in check.

How did I do it?

For breakfast, I was allotted 15 grams of carbs. As a general rule, I would eat either two slices of bacon, a pre-cooked sausage patty or scrambled egg with one slice of whole wheat toast and a cup of 2% milk.

For my snacks (mid-morning and mid-afternoon), I was allowed 30 grams of carbs; which usually I choose a single serving of Yoplait yogurt. That's right, regular - not the light or sugar free, but regular Yoplait.

For lunch and dinner, I was told to consume 60 to 75 grams of carbs. I found that my numbers stayed within range if I chose to only eat 60 grams. These two meals were much easier to manage, offered a lot more meal choices, and could even include fast food when necessary.

Learning to eat at the same time every day, each session being scheduled exactly three hours apart, I was one step closer to regaining healthy glucose levels in my pregnancy.

My numbers remained just a bit high even eating just as the doctor recommended, so I did eventually begin insulin injects. However, a small dosage of short and long acting insulin in the mornings and evenings was all I needed to get me down to those much sought numbers.

Many women have said that exercising, even a slow paced walk after each meal, kept them from having to begin an insulin regime. Unfortunately, I was on bedrest and unable to do this; otherwise, I may never have needed insulin.

It may sound strange, but another thing I found to help decrease my numbers, was to shower at least a half-hour before testing time. The only thing I can assume this did was relax me, allowing my body to do its job more efficiently. Regardless of whether I'm right or wrong with my theory, I still feel it's something I should pass along in hopes of helping someone else.

Lastly, but most certainly not least, is to stay hydrated. I had a steadfast rule of drinking 100 ounces of water per day. When your body isn't filled with a lot of food, it's not a difficult rule to follow.

Fast food is something that many women feel like is lost for the duration of the pregnancy when learning they have gestational diabetes. That is not necessarily the case.

As I said earlier, every woman and every body is different; however, I found that I could eat a variety of fast food. Some examples of fast food meals that kept me within my permitted carbs without overshooting my sugar level were:

• McDonald’s Big Mac with 15 fries
• Subway’s Chicken and Bacon Ranch, 6 inch on whole wheat
• Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar
• 2 piece KFC meal
• Burger King Junior Whopper with 5 fries
• 2 slices of Pizza Hut’s Pepperoni Lovers medium size pizza with small house salad

And, although I never tried it, many women who I met in various forums online swore by Chinese food.

Another strong recommendation for fast food was Papa Murphy's Take 'n Bake pizza.

On the day my labor was induced (recommended as I had been dilated to 5 for a week), the nurse checked my sugar levels every two hours. Although my fast level on this morning been a little higher than normal (although not out of range), once labor began, my sugar levels were perfect.

Because I was so "starved" for "real" food, my husband made sure I had a footlong Meatball Marinara sub from Subway, a large order of McDonald's fries, and a Route 44 Dr. Pepper waiting for me when our daughter was born. After scarfing the meal down with vigor, my two hour reading was only 100! I was back to normal!

Realizing, however, that a majority of women who are diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes will be be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes within ten years (even if their blood glucose levels return to normal following birth), I've been careful to continue a healthier diet and practice a strict exercise regime.

Almost three years after the birth of our daughter, I'm at a healthier weight than pre-pregnancy and feel better than I have in years!

Gestational diabetes may seem unfair and very depressing in the beginning. However, take it from someone who has lived it….it’s not that bad and all the prodding, poking, and dietary restrictions are more than worth it when you deliver a healthy baby.

The foregoing is not intended as or as substitution a for medical advice. Please remember doctor recommendations are subject to vary and you should follow the advice of your personal physician.