update on G.D.
Things are definitely looking up! Having gestational diabetes has been unfortunate and kinda a nuisance, but it’s the best preventative measure to lower the chances of developing later in life or even passing it onto your child. Since I have been diagnosed, I am at a greater chance at developing it, even more so with it running in the family. It’s all about monitoring and regulating.
The worst thing about it is pricking a finger and testing blood 4x a day. I was most scared because of my low tolerance of pain and I thought I’d have to go through hell each time. It’s either I’ve grown callous on my fingers or a sense of new courage :) You’ll do anything for your baby too. I’m still able to eat everything that I have been eating. Some people have the wrong idea of it and think you can’t have any carbs at all! Being pregnant, you still need carbs to have energy and to nourish your growing baby.
I attended a Diabetes Class with a Maternal Fetal Dietician - she was awesome. She gave each person a “carbohydrate budget” and I was surprised because they actually wanted me to eat MORE carbs during meals than I already did. Prior to getting diagnosed, I just didn’t eat a balanced diet. I loved my sweets and had to have a cookie or cupcake or ice cream after every meal. I’ve learned to treat myself in the evening if my glucose levels were in the normal range.
My carb budget:
Breakfast: 20-25 grams
Snack: 15-20 grams
Lunch: 40-45 grams
Snack: 15-20 grams
Dinner: 40-45 grams
I love that I can eat 6x a day :) They instructed us to have absolutely no sweets or juice in the morning and to make sure to have protein with EVERY meal (including snacks). This is all about a high protein diet. I can still have all of the peanut butter I want and I constantly snack on almonds (considered a fat) when meals or snacks don’t fill me up.
I spiked about 4x when I first started monitoring my glucose levels. The highest result I got was 156. My dietician was happy with most of my results and asked me to keep testing and send her more results in two weeks. I’m happy to say I have not spiked once since! My glucose levels must be < 95 after waking up and < 135 1 hour after meals. My fasting levels have always been in the high 60s, 70s & low 80s range. My levels after meals range from the 90s to low 130s. It also seems my body is starting to learn how to control the things I eat too.
We had our consult and ultrasound with a Maternal Fetal doctor yesterday. He was surprised that someone my size was diagnosed with G.D. and was impressed with all of my glucose levels. They want to keep monitoring baby because they want to make sure baby isn’t growing too fast. Baby is currently 4.1 lbs at 33.5 weeks and growing within the 25th percentile rate :) This is good news because baby is exactly where he/she should be! A little on the smaller end, but the doc said it’s mainly genetics and couldn’t see a huge baby growing in me lol.
I’m so glad everything has turned out okay. I’ll do anything for my baby and glad he/she is doing its job too… growing & playing in my belly!
We had so much fun during our ultrasound yesterday :) Baby was VERY alert and active at 9 in the morning! Baby was having fun with the ultrasound tech and constantly nudged and kicked her. We saw baby playing with his/her toes and even saw baby suck his/her feet <3 Baby sure was thirsty too, we saw baby gulping down amniotic fluid hehe. Baby is DEFINITELY in the head down position - hoping it stays there but doesn’t come early lol. What a gift from heaven. I want to hold onto these memories forever!