New to diabetes (gestural diabetes in pregnancy) food advice needed PLEASE

Slinkyson

Gold Member
Hi All
im currently in the slimming world pregnancy section on here, im 34 weeks pregnant today! i have developed gestural diabetes, tried controlling this by dieting, then was put on medication. Nothing worked so now im injecting insulin, and really need help and advice on what to eat? ive just been told to lower by carb intake and avoid sweet stuff but thats all the have told me! Problem is I have an horrendous sweet tooth my craving is ice lollies and anything sweet, whereas before being pregnant I was more of a savoury person! I really need advice, Ive tried diabetic chocolate and found the one from Thorntons quite nice but very expensive!!!


Arghhh help please im desperate

Has anyone got this too? and any advance i would really appreciate it :)


Thanks in advance
 
Hi All
im currently in the slimming world pregnancy section on here, im 34 weeks pregnant today! i have developed gestural diabetes, tried controlling this by dieting, then was put on medication. Nothing worked so now im injecting insulin, and really need help and advice on what to eat? ive just been told to lower by carb intake and avoid sweet stuff but thats all the have told me! Problem is I have an horrendous sweet tooth my craving is ice lollies and anything sweet, whereas before being pregnant I was more of a savoury person! I really need advice, Ive tried diabetic chocolate and found the one from Thorntons quite nice but very expensive!!!


Arghhh help please im desperate

Has anyone got this too? and any advance i would really appreciate it :)


Thanks in advance

Hi and welcome :)

I have had type 1 diabetes and been through two pregnancies (in 2009 and 2010/2011) so know what you are going through and can hopefully help a little. I don't know about gestational diabetes but since you are on insulin then I'm guessing it's pretty similar! I went on a DAFNE course at the start of 2009 which really changed my life for me esp for my control. I pretty much eat what I want although I am on slimming world so it's within their boundaries. With regards to sweet things ( I also have a sweet tooth! and during pregnancy 1 I craved pick and mix sweets) and other things - the diabetes doesn't restrict me, and that's because of DAFNE. With insulin you really aren't restricted. I will dig out some of my DAFNE stuff and scan it in for you. Basically it works on a ratio system, so, for me personally, for every 10g of carbs, I inject 1 unit of my quick acting insulin. There is a whole DAFNE book which give you details and you can look on the packets but as you go along you get familiar with it anyway. I work on a 2 1/2 : 1 ratio for all meals and 1:1 for snacks. For breakfast, I'll have 10-40g carbs so 2.5-10 units of quick acting insulin. Obviously i needed to work out with my diabetes nurse what worked for me. Testing regularly is important and although it sounds complicated it really isn't when you get the hang of it!

With my pregnancies; both pregnancies I was at the diabetic clinic every 1-2 weeks in hospital and got extra scans which was nice :) . Pregnancy 1, I was in hospital from 33 weeks being monitored as I had polyhydramnious (excessive amniotic fluid) and they were worried about cord prolapse. My waters broke at 35+5 and I had my daughter by "emergency" c-section. She was totally fine and weighed 8lb 8oz (despite having hBA1c's of 5-6% throughout my pregnancy!). Pregnancy 2, I was again in hospital from 35 weeks for the same reasons and because my insulin requirements had started dropping, had daughter no.2 by planned c-sec at 36+1, she weighed 9lb 9oz (again with excellent control!!), had no probs. I now have two healthy, happy and raucous girls aged 3 and half and 2 (well in 3 weeks) yr olds!

Have you been told anything about what they think about delivery? Not sure where you are in UK but when I was pregnant, I was one of the first members in a support group for diabetic (type 1/2/gestational) mums and mums to be in Leicestershire who support each other with diabetes & have regular meet ups for cake/coffee/walks/kids play dates etc. It's been going strong for about 4 yrs now. There may be something local to you like that or I can give you the details for this one as there is a facebook group.

I never buy "diabetic" products - they are a total waste of money as there is no reason why you can't eat "normal" foods by adjusting insulin. Make sure you drink no/low sugar drinks too - Robinsons R juice is sugar free or diet things like coke/lemonade etc, sweeteners in tea/coffee. Fruit juice needs insulin as it's got sugar in - I use that for hypos :) Not sure what the weather is like over there right now but here in Denmark it's baking hot and that always makes my blood sugars low but great excuse for lollies/ice cream hehe.

PLEASE do not feel desperate/useless/helpless - bombard your diabetic team with questions and concerns and always feel free to message with anything even if it's just to moan!! :-D

p.s. Sorry for the essay! :)

Caroline x
 
Hi and welcome :)

I have had type 1 diabetes and been through two pregnancies (in 2009 and 2010/2011) so know what you are going through and can hopefully help a little. I don't know about gestational diabetes but since you are on insulin then I'm guessing it's pretty similar! I went on a DAFNE course at the start of 2009 which really changed my life for me esp for my control. I pretty much eat what I want although I am on slimming world so it's within their boundaries. With regards to sweet things ( I also have a sweet tooth! and during pregnancy 1 I craved pick and mix sweets) and other things - the diabetes doesn't restrict me, and that's because of DAFNE. With insulin you really aren't restricted. I will dig out some of my DAFNE stuff and scan it in for you. Basically it works on a ratio system, so, for me personally, for every 10g of carbs, I inject 1 unit of my quick acting insulin. There is a whole DAFNE book which give you details and you can look on the packets but as you go along you get familiar with it anyway. I work on a 2 1/2 : 1 ratio for all meals and 1:1 for snacks. For breakfast, I'll have 10-40g carbs so 2.5-10 units of quick acting insulin. Obviously i needed to work out with my diabetes nurse what worked for me. Testing regularly is important and although it sounds complicated it really isn't when you get the hang of it!

With my pregnancies; both pregnancies I was at the diabetic clinic every 1-2 weeks in hospital and got extra scans which was nice :) . Pregnancy 1, I was in hospital from 33 weeks being monitored as I had polyhydramnious (excessive amniotic fluid) and they were worried about cord prolapse. My waters broke at 35+5 and I had my daughter by "emergency" c-section. She was totally fine and weighed 8lb 8oz (despite having hBA1c's of 5-6% throughout my pregnancy!). Pregnancy 2, I was again in hospital from 35 weeks for the same reasons and because my insulin requirements had started dropping, had daughter no.2 by planned c-sec at 36+1, she weighed 9lb 9oz (again with excellent control!!), had no probs. I now have two healthy, happy and raucous girls aged 3 and half and 2 (well in 3 weeks) yr olds!

Have you been told anything about what they think about delivery? Not sure where you are in UK but when I was pregnant, I was one of the first members in a support group for diabetic (type 1/2/gestational) mums and mums to be in Leicestershire who support each other with diabetes & have regular meet ups for cake/coffee/walks/kids play dates etc. It's been going strong for about 4 yrs now. There may be something local to you like that or I can give you the details for this one as there is a facebook group.

I never buy "diabetic" products - they are a total waste of money as there is no reason why you can't eat "normal" foods by adjusting insulin. Make sure you drink no/low sugar drinks too - Robinsons R juice is sugar free or diet things like coke/lemonade etc, sweeteners in tea/coffee. Fruit juice needs insulin as it's got sugar in - I use that for hypos :) Not sure what the weather is like over there right now but here in Denmark it's baking hot and that always makes my blood sugars low but great excuse for lollies/ice cream hehe.

PLEASE do not feel desperate/useless/helpless - bombard your diabetic team with questions and concerns and always feel free to message with anything even if it's just to moan!! :-D

p.s. Sorry for the essay! :)

Caroline x

Hi Carole
Thank you for all that information! I live near Manchester, their isn't much support on gestural diabetes! My district team at the clinic have asked me to take 6units of insulin in a morning and 8 at night! It's not the insulin you take with good mines the other, however I think my levels will need looking at because the past two days I've had readings of 7.7 after meals when it should be around 5.5 or lower! Before meals they want my glucose checks to be around 3.5-5.5 which is low and they said they wouldn't expect anyone with full blown diabetes to go that low but in pregnancy it's important it's kept low!!!
I'm now 34 + 3 they said they are inducing me around 38 wks but all depends how I get in with this insulin and managing my levels it's all confusing to me!
I've read abit in DAFNE and wondered what it was as a few on here follow it!
Nice to hear both your kiddies were born fine and are ok now! Do you mind if I ask, did you breast feed? That's another thing that's concerning me a little! When you had your children did they keep you on hospital longer to monitor them? With regards to birth plan ect they haven't said if I will be having a c section or not! I would rather have a c section if poss but they said they would only preform one if absolute necessary! I had a growth scans at week and she weighs around 5ibs 11oz which is bang on to what she should be so I don't think she's going to be a big baby but there's a few weeks left so we'll see! I'm really struggling with my cravings :-( I just want sweets and chocolate all the time all hours of the day and night too :-(
 
Hi Slinkyson if it helps I'm a diabetic specialist nurse the best advice that i can give you is to get your GP or your diabetes team to refer you to a dietitian that is the most important thing so that they can tailor a plan to you. I completely agree with sweetcaroline the DAFNE coursesif available in your area are fantastic as not alone do you have access to a dietician but also to other patients with diabetes - its a great support resource.

Also exercise is really important to reduce your bodies insulin resistance. Try to walk for at least 30 mins a day if you can maybe try and up to to twice a day if your feeling up to it. If you have been having hypos though make sure that you take a companion with you who knows about your diabetes. I'm only new so cant post links but if you google diabetes UK and contact them they will be able to give you advice also. They will also be able to tell you what support groups are available in your area they are a great resource!

One last thing - stay away for any of the "Diabetic friendly" chocolates they aren't recommended as they are high in calories and can give you diarrhea if you eat too much of them.

I know its a scary time - but try not to panic! you and baby will both be fine. and remember fingers crossed once your pregnancy is over your diabetes may go away :)
 
Hi Slinkyson if it helps I'm a diabetic specialist nurse the best advice that i can give you is to get your GP or your diabetes team to refer you to a dietitian that is the most important thing so that they can tailor a plan to you. I completely agree with sweetcaroline the DAFNE coursesif available in your area are fantastic as not alone do you have access to a dietician but also to other patients with diabetes - its a great support resource.

Also exercise is really important to reduce your bodies insulin resistance. Try to walk for at least 30 mins a day if you can maybe try and up to to twice a day if your feeling up to it. If you have been having hypos though make sure that you take a companion with you who knows about your diabetes. I'm only new so cant post links but if you google diabetes UK and contact them they will be able to give you advice also. They will also be able to tell you what support groups are available in your area they are a great resource!

One last thing - stay away for any of the "Diabetic friendly" chocolates they aren't recommended as they are high in calories and can give you diarrhea if you eat too much of them.

I know its a scary time - but try not to panic! you and baby will both be fine. and remember fingers crossed once your pregnancy is over your diabetes may go away :)

Hi eiregal
Thank you for your help! I'm seeing my dietician team again this afternoon! Since starting on insulin my levels seem to be going up rather stabilising! I started off injecting 6 units in the morning and 8 units at night now I'm on 14 units for both! I'm just not coping very well it's making me really emotional which I know is my hormones too! I'm 36 wks pregnancy now so in not sure if the further into pregnancy you get the harder it is to control but it seems that way for me! I did try the diabetic chocolate from thorntons and the sweets but will not be doing it again OMG I was in agony with trapped wind! I'm just having sugar free jelly and options hot choc drinks mixed with fat free natural yoghurt to try and curb my cravings!!

I have everything crossed that this will go once baby is born! It has really made me sit up and take note if what I'm eating I had no idea I was so bad with all the pasta and carbs my diet before being pregnant and during was primarily green days on SW eating bucket fills if pasta! But I won't be doing anymore! Potion control is so important I really want to lower my risk of developing this again in the future :)
 
i hope that this works if you copy and paste this link into your browser its a booklet on gestational diabetes x

http://www.diabetes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Gestational-Diabete-Booklet.pdf

Excellent read this has given me loads of information! Much more than the team at the hospital! I'm just abit unsure of what will happen through delivery as a few friends have told me I will be on an insulin drop and poss epidural as my blood pressure is on the rise along with swollen ankles (pre-clampsia) symptoms but nothing in my urine so they are just monitoring more for now :)
 
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