Too Good To Be True...

My pregnancy has been quite wonderful, less the one week where my back was tweaked, so I suppose I should continue to be grateful despite getting my blood results back from my 3 hour glucose test.  Sad to report that 2 of my 4 results were slightly over the safe threshold which labels me with gestational diabetes.  I was a bit saddened by this news at first since I am very interested in nutrition and feel I am very thoughtful about what I eat.  I also despise meal planning, but have recently been working on this.  Now things are going to be that much more complicated only because I have to think about meals and snacks a little differently than what I've gotten used to, what I'd begun to see as effortless prep.  I know it will be fine and it's only for another 9 weeks and it is in the best interest for Bean so of course I'm glad to be aware.  My numbers that were over the safe threshold were just slightly over so once I start my food journal and self blood sugar checks I should be able to see when and why my levels spike and make adjustments.  Our cousin Abi was diagnosed as well and she finds that just being aware of pairing her good carbs and fruit with plenty of protein and veggies does the trick as well as walking around after meals.

For those of you who have not had to endure information on Gestational Diabetes before and are curious now, here is a little info:

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes means that the body has a problem with insulin during pregnancy. When women are pregnant, the body needs more insulin to keep blood sugar at the right level. Women’s bodies make more insulin during pregnancy. When the extra insulin is not enough to keep blood sugar normal, women get high blood sugar. This is called gestational diabetes. Blood sugar usually returns to normal after delivery.

Who gets gestational diabetes?  (this part, I find seems to be less accurate these days if 1 out of 4 of my OB's patients are being diagnosed, not to mention the only variable I fit into is being 37, aka: old)

About 7 out of 100 pregnant women get gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is more likely for:

• Women who are overweight.
• Women with family members who have had gestational diabetes.
• Women with family members who have type 2 diabetes.
• African American, American Indian, and Hispanic/Latina American women.

How Can I Treat Gestational Diabetes?

Eating healthy and staying active are two of the most important ways to control blood sugar and treat gestational diabetes. Activities like walking and swimming are helpful. The activity does not have to be hard. The goal is to get up and move. Talk with your doctor or midwife about creating an exercise plan that works for you.
All women with gestational diabetes need to follow a special diabetes meal plan. Your doctor or midwife may ask you to meet with a diabetes educator or dietitian. Diabetes educators or dietitians can help create a plan just for you.
The diabetes meal plan follows simple guidelines like:

• Watching portion size.
• Eating a variety of foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Limiting fat calories to 30 percent or less each day.

Being careful about weight gain during pregnancy is also very important to control gestational diabetes. Ask your doctor or midwife how much weight gain is right for you.