gestational diabetes, MFP settings and PP weight loss

sprytez31
sprytez31 Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey peeps.

I passed my first Glucose Tolerance Test and proceeded to celebrate by still having sugar in my tea (rather than sweetener) and I didn't guilt-trip myself over the ice-cream in the freezer (and then in my tummy) or the occasional chocolate bar. Since that test at 24w pregnant though, I developed certain symptoms that worried me enough to ask (yes ASK) for another test. Which I failed. So I'm here, counting sugar, counting carbs, altering percentages because other gestational diabetics I know have been told to restrict their carbs... but all my dietician wants me to do is to cut out refined sugars. No mention of carbs. She's not worried about my calorific intake either.

So, I'm a bit lost, really. The weight I lost after my son came creeping (and then galloping) back on during the pregnancy, I've gone from 83kg to 104kg (confirming this next week at the hospital, don't trust my scales too much) and I'll be 34w on Sunday. I've been very sedentary for the past 6 weeks or so because I have SPD and full back pain from shoulders to pelvis, I'm on crutches and codeine now, it's worse than when I had my son! I had to stop doing time on my bike after about 14w because I couldn't even get to 5km without it hurting so bad I had to stop. I had to stop walking to the shop/local cafe a couple of times a week because 20 paces in I'd develop Braxton Hicks contractions! My only exercise is housework (and even then I can't do much) and looking after my toddler son. This has a lot to do with my weight gain, the lack of activity - but it has been literally impossible for me to do any more than I am without serious consequences.

I'm just after a bit of concrete advice on the carb/sugar numbers I ought to be following, as well as the "maintenance" level of calories - even at my weight, the number it gives me seems extravagant. I've allowed myself an additional 300 cals for being in this late stage of pregnancy, but it's rare I even go near that reserve.

Post-partum, I'll be pretty sedentary for the first week, and then "lightly active"; monitoring my intake and set my goals to lose half a kg a week (but I will still have an "allowance" for breastfeeding) for the first month, and then back to being slightly more than "lightly active" hopefully with regular walking or other exercise efforts during the week and aiming to lose 1kg a week. Does that sound reasonable? I've not been able to get much advice or information from the dietician on this and I'd like to get cracking as soon as is reasonable/feasible, as I have a family wedding to attend in September.

All advice appreciated.

Replies

  • GlucernaBrand
    GlucernaBrand Posts: 486
    I give you a lot of credit for asking for a blood gest for gestational diabetes, and then following through with changing your food intake. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/vault/editor/Docs/GestationalDiabetesNutritionTherapy_FINAL.pdf has some good information on carbohydrate and meal planning. Are you testing your blood sugar level first thing in the morning and then 1-2 hours after each meal? That information will help you figure out what type of meals work best for you. ~Lynn /Glucerna
  • sprytez31
    sprytez31 Posts: 11
    I give you a lot of credit for asking for a blood gest for gestational diabetes, and then following through with changing your food intake. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/vault/editor/Docs/GestationalDiabetesNutritionTherapy_FINAL.pdf has some good information on carbohydrate and meal planning. Are you testing your blood sugar level first thing in the morning and then 1-2 hours after each meal? That information will help you figure out what type of meals work best for you. ~Lynn /Glucerna

    My fasting levels are where I failed the GTT - they wanted the reading below 5mmol/L and the test result was 5.2 - and subsequent fasting results have ALL been over 5 (but under 6). I also test 2 hours after meals and usually get over 7 but below 8. Occasionally I'll get under 7, which is where they want the results to be.

    Thanks for the link, I'll take a look in the morning!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    My fasting levels are where I failed the GTT - they wanted the reading below 5mmol/L and the test result was 5.2 - and subsequent fasting results have ALL been over 5 (but under 6). I also test 2 hours after meals and usually get over 7 but below 8. Occasionally I'll get under 7, which is where they want the results to be.

    The fasting numbers aren't diabetic, but the 2 hours after meals aren't great.

    As you are pregnant and have other issues you need to find a good professional to advise. I can point you at long term Swedish studies using 20% carbs for diabetes improvement and weight loss, you could consider that as a starting point.

    Dial in 20% carbs 25% protein and 55% fat at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_custom and see how it goes.

    I'm afraid much of the mainstream medical advice is wedded to the "balanced" diet so you're better off eating to what your BG meter tells you works for you.
  • sprytez31
    sprytez31 Posts: 11
    My fasting levels are where I failed the GTT - they wanted the reading below 5mmol/L and the test result was 5.2 - and subsequent fasting results have ALL been over 5 (but under 6). I also test 2 hours after meals and usually get over 7 but below 8. Occasionally I'll get under 7, which is where they want the results to be.

    The fasting numbers aren't diabetic, but the 2 hours after meals aren't great.

    Hey, thanks for replying. As the fasting numbers are all above 5mmol/L, then according to my health board, dietician and consultant at the hospital that makes me a gestational diabetic. I've been getting some post-meal results between 6 & 7 now, so that at least is looking hopeful. It seems odd, I know other ladies with slightly higher results who haven't been classed as gestational diabetics, but they fall under the care of a different health board (often in a different country) and I'm assuming they have different criteria. My results were higher when I lived outwith the UK but their criteria were seemingly more lax than here so I wasn't officially diagnosed with my eldest son until we moved to the UK!
  • GlucernaBrand
    GlucernaBrand Posts: 486
    It can get confusing when all countries, and sometimes not even all physicians within one country, agree on blood sugar numbers for diagnosis and treatment. Blood sugar control is always recommended to be tighter in pregnancy to more closely mimic blood sugar of non-diabetic, pregnant women. I think it's always better to err on the side of caution, and it's great that you're seeing lower blood sugar numbers. ~Lynn /Glucerna

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