Gestational Diabetes

For those of you on Facebook, you probably already know that my three hour glucose test came back high last week. This means that, as expected, I have gestational diabetes again.

My results were:

• Fasting Normal Level: 65-99. I tested in range at 92.
• 1 Hour Normal Level: 180 or less. I tested at 206.
• 2 Hour Normal Level: 155 or less. I tested at 189.
• 3 Hour Normal Level: 140 or less. I tested at 172.

My OB/GYN requested that I make an appointment with a nutritionist and an endocrinologist to discuss my diet and medication options. I went to both of those appointments today.

The nutritionist was pleased at how much I remember from counting carbohydrates from the last time as well as the fact that I had already started on a low-carb diet. The refresher was very helpful though and we worked a general meal plan out. It doesn’t consist of actual meals that I will eat but more in the timing of meals and snacks and how many servings of carbs should be included in each. We can then re-evaulate the carb counts based on my blood sugar level readings later.

1 carb serving = 15 grams of carbohydrates. If the fiber content is 5 grams or greater, then the fiber content can be subtracted from the total carbs since they are broken down slower. Protein also helps slow down the absorption of carbs, so although it isn’t subtracted in the carb counts, it is still a good thing to include with every meal.

• Breakfast: 2 carb servings
• Mid-Morning snack: 2 carb servings
• Lunch: 3-4 carb servings
• Afternoon snack: 1 carb serving
• Dinner: 4-5 carb servings
• Evening snack: 1 carb serving

Spreading the carbs out throughout the day and limiting their overall intake to only 14-15 servings per day should *hopefully* help with my blood glucose levels.

When I was pregnant with Adrianna, following the diet didn’t get my blood glucose levels to where they needed to be so I also had to take an oral medication. However, this doctor does not recommend the medication because it cannot accurately control when the insulin is released. The downfall is that if the diet alone cannot control my glucose levels, I will have to give myself insulin shots every day. This really had me reeling and upset. I really hope the diet will be enough this time. Pricking my fingers several times a day is bad enough, although Greg was kind enough to tell me he would help me with the shots if it came to that.

The plan for the next week is to track the foods I am eating, their carb counts, and my blood glucose counts. I have to take blood samples first thing in the morning and also an hour after every meal. I started this afternoon. I downloaded a nifty little iPhone application that I am looking forward to using for this purpose. The two blood samples I have taken this afternoon/evening have both been in a healthy range, so I am really praying that this will continue.

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers. They are very much appreciated. Between this and Adrianna’s possible H1N1, I am really feeling the stress this week.