What I've Learned About Gestational Diabetes

Some facts...
 It is unknown why gestational diabetes occurs but it is thought to be linked to hormones in the placenta blocking the insulin in the mother's body. This insulin resistance makes it hard for mom's body to use the insulin. Without enough insulin, glucose in your blood cannot easily leave and be used by your body. As a result, this can harm your baby by giving him or her high blood glucose levels. This extra energy is stored as fat and can lead to macrosomia and can make it more possible for him or her to have type 2 diabetes as adults.

Understand that these facts are very basic and just the start of knowing about gestational diabetes.

Here are some things I've learned about diet, controlling my glucose level and the stress that comes along with all of that when combined with my daily life.

Changing my diet has been extreme. Being pregnant, I am lucky if I can eat at all some mornings. Now I am up at 6:30am daily to check my fasting blood glucose and take my thyroid medication. At 7:30am I have to eat breakfast. One hour later I have to check my glucose again. That is twice in two hours. Most days I am nowhere near hungry but if I don't eat at 7:30am, I throw off my entire day and things go downhill from there.

My fasting glucose number is never low enough. It has been 89 one time. That is the highest it is allowed to be. I will be on a pill to control this soon, sadly. That is not what I wanted but no matter what I try, I can't lower it. The rest of my glucose numbers throughout the day are within a normal range and well-control with diet alone.

I also check my glucose at  2:00pm (1 hour after lunch) and 7:30pm (1 hour after dinner). Four times a day I check my levels. I have several (TEN!) alarms set on my phone reminding me to wake up, eat, check sugar. This is what my day looks like...

6:30am-Wake up, take blood glucose, take thyroid meds
7:30am-Eat 15 carb breakfast
8:30am-Check glucose from last meal
10:00am-Eat 15 carb morning snack
1:00pm-Eat 45 carb lunch
2:00pm-Check glucose from last meal
4:00pm-Eat 15 carb afternoon snack
6:30pm-Eat 45 carb dinner
7:30pm-Check glucose from last meal
9:30pm-Eat 15 carb bedtime snack

Trying to plan daily life around that schedule is close to impossible and has driven me a little crazy the past month. Now throw an almost 2 year old into the mix, oh, and two dogs. Now add that I'm 34 weeks pregnant and unable to do a lot of the things I was able to do at 20 weeks pregnant. It gets a bit ridiculous. Just a smidge.

If you have ever had gestational diabetes, you know that it's very difficult to eat. Especially if you're on a super strict diet and time schedule like I currently am. Dining out is out for the most part. If you choose to, it's a gamble. You worry that there will be something hidden in the meals that will affect your glucose levels or you will end up with a plate of salad and proteins (which CAN be delicious). It kind of steals the glory of not cooking your own meal at home. Every food item you buy requires a decent look at the nutritional information. How many carbs? How many carbs? How many carbs?! It drives me insane. And I do not like being the person who literally can barely eat at a party. I feel like a huge burden on everyone. I have to bring my own snacks and foods in case food isn't available at the specific times I am required to eat.

Now, moving on from the pity party. I have discovered some awesome things. IF I can get outside for a walk, I can eat more carbs. This happens VERY infrequently but I know it's an option in case I go over or it's a special occasion. Also, this is temporary. In most cases, gestational diabetes only lasts until you deliver your baby. It does come with some risks of developing diabetes later on and they're significant but the lifestlye change that is forced on you is enough to teach you not to eat horribly all the time. You really shouldn't, anyway. I am still nursing my 21 month old as well. I am consuming around 1,800 calories per day and haven't gained any wight in the last 5 weeks, which is good news! Baby is growing very well but I don't need to gain any more weight. In fact, I actually l ost a couple pounds.

In conclusion, it takes up a HUGE amount of time and it IS a lot of work but it's definitely worth it. Now that I'm getting the hang of it, I feel like it' might be OK to try and post blogs with some regularity as long as I can do it within a time set schedule. Right now I have weekly appointments at my hospital (45 minutes from home) and regular OB appointments every 2 weeks. Things are getting to be very busy but I have less than 6 weeks left!