I went in for my one hour glucose tolerance test (GTT) around 29 weeks. The sugary drink (orange flavor for me!) was not as bad as I expected, but the results of the test were. My levels after one hour were at 150, while the doctors require a value of 130 or less. I attributed this to the croissant I ate for breakfast before the test, and decided that I would ace the 3 hour glucose tolerance test.
Next week I went in for my 3 hour test. I was very nervous about fasting for 12 hrs, but I managed to fast that long without much trouble. The 3 hour test is no fun at all. You sit there like an idiot for 3 hrs, and get poked on alternate arms every hour or so. And the drink they give is far worse because it has double the amount of glucose. Thankfully, my veins are easy to find, so the poking was not bad, and I didn't feel sick or uncomfortable like a lot of people experience.
I got a call 2 days later from the doctor's office and they said that all levels except my one hour levels were normal. So my 1 hr levels were at 192 (normal is 180 or less) while the other levels were well below normal. They said I should go meet a dietician. I tried asking them what this meant, how important it is to meet the dietician etc, but the lady had no clue. In fact, she gave me the levels only after I asked her for it. Of course then I frantically googled, but alas, google could not give me any specific answers.
I decided I didn't want to meet the dietician. I'd try to restrict my sugar levels on my own. I confirmed with the doctor that I didn't need to be monitored. She said I would be fine on my own, if I could restrict my diet.
So here we are, off brownies and sweets and chocolates and icecreams. All the stuff I love! Wasn't pregnancy supposed to be the time when you eat what you want without worrying about weight gain? Wasn't this when I could indulge? Thankfully its only another 8 wks or less of low sugar diet, so I think I'll survive. I do still eat rice (which is our staple) but in lesser quantities. I switched from white bread to wheat bread, and keep an eye on how much I hog. I am not sure if this is helping, we'll just have to wait and see when the little one arrives. As far as weight gain goes, I think I am ok, because I gained about 15 lbs by 30 wks.
So far, the one thing I missed during this pregnancy was sex. Yes I know, you ask me why? Because my hubby is scared he'll do something to the baby. Also, I am so sore downstairs that I really don't mind either. Now I can add sweets to the list of things I miss.
Any suggestions about what I can eat and should not? Any one else had glucose intolerance as opposed to GD?
Last but not the least, I am approaching 32 wks and freaking out! More on that later. All in all, I feel great - no tiredness, just minor symptoms that are not too bothersome on and off.
I technically have GD and it is diet controlled only. I still have the occasional sweet. Watch your pasta, bread, and empty calorie carbs, don't drink juice, eat fruit instead. Overall, it's a pain but not too bad. I have learned it's more about balancing so for example lean steak, baked potato and a Saldana with a small dessert and my reading is in range...starve myself and have 1/2 a sandwich, sugar is off the charts. Glad you are doing well otherwise, we are on the home stretch!
ReplyDeleteI am firmly with the clenches of GD. I have found myself really needing to tighten what I thought was an already pretty good diet. The best advice I can give is watch your breakfast -- make sure you have enough protein and no fruit -- and bedtime snack. It's important to have one. Just make sure it has some protein and is low on carbs. Oh, also, every time you have a carb, have protein and eat it first or take a bite of it first. So if you have crackers, have cheese, some applesauce, almonds, etc.
ReplyDeleteYeah it sucks but you're right just a few more weeks, and you can still have a bit of ice cream. Wishing you the best. - Toni