Two pregnancies, two gestational diabetes diagnosis… although the second diagnosis definitely came about differently, it gave a sense of false comfort – a sense of “I’ve got this”, even when I apparently (most definitely) didn’t.
After failing the initial two glucose screenings early on (tested early due to the same diagnosis in my first pregnancy), I was required to do both screenings again later this pregnancy; which would have been two 1 hour tests and two 3 hour tests (after failing both of the 1 hours) total.
With the second three hour test, things went awry. Within ten minutes of drinking the required glucose drink, I became horribly ill and unable to finish the test. Given the option to attempt the three hour glucose test a THIRD time this pregnancy, or just monitor my blood sugar four times a day for the remainder of this pregnancy, I chose the latter option.
False Comfort
This is where the false comfort with gestational diabetes comes into play.
This pregnancy it was so easy to rely on past “tricks” to keep my numbers in check, but it’s now becoming evident that learning how to keep my blood sugar in check with Trim Healthy Mama not only would have been the healthier option, it would have made things easier down the road (and now).
Disclaimer: I am sharing a few tricks not for use, but as an example of what NOT to do. These tricks might appear to work for awhile, but do “catch up” with you over time.
Although it’s embarrassing to admit it, I have definitely been a yo-yo with Trim Healthy Mama during this pregnancy (more so than my last one). My doctor told me 30 grams of carbs six times per day to keep my numbers level (please follow your own doctor’s advice, this is just what mine told me). My stubborn self almost entirely disregarded this advice, and decided to do what I “knew” worked.
False Comfort Tricks (What NOT to Do)
Last pregnancy (and last gestational diabetes diagnosis) I quickly learned that healthy carbs *could* result in a lower reading after a meal, but a higher reading later… meaning that I might get a false sense of my blood sugar being “in range” and overdo the carbs based on that reading, thereby making the NEXT reading higher than preferred.
I believe this to be due to healthy carbs bringing your blood sugar up more slowly and over time, versus a quick spike… but if you don’t take the time to learn the impact of your food choices, it can result in blood sugar numbers that aren’t preferable. (Especially if you test an hour after an E or XO meal, find your numbers are low or in range, and eat more carbs… the first carbs haven’t had the full impact yet. It might give you a high reading later. This is *likely* not the healthy carbs themselves, just a learning curve.)
Anyways, my “solution” to work around this learning curve (I’d been a Trim Healthy Mama for years but had no experience with actual blood sugar numbers) was to eat unhealthy carbs (in small quantities) for meals and when my blood sugar seemed low after testing. The quick spike was typically within the allowable range, and the quick drop later allowed the excuse of more unhealthy carbs to bring my blood sugar back up.
This also helped me avoid the “learning curve” with actual blood sugar numbers and healthy carbs.
The Result
As one might expect, this practice quickly caught up to me.
My first pregnancy likely seemed unaffected due to being tested within the usual range (a shorter duration for testing during pregnancy) while I was screened early this second pregnancy.
The false comfort of unhealthy carbs earned me unplanned and probably unsafe weight gain (within a few weeks I gained over ten lbs) before reigning myself in a little better. It has also started giving me high blood sugar readings regardless of my “tricks” – likely due to my blood sugar being consistently higher with the unhealthy food and carbs.
In addition, I’ve measured too far along twice in a row, requiring a third ultrasound to make sure that my son is safe to deliver naturally and that there isn’t a problem.
If this continues, I could lose my chance to deliver at the birthing center, because my poor decisions made the risk too high.
Fixing My Mistakes
Some things cannot be undone.
It’s possible (so far unknown) that my son will be born with diabetes. Or grow too large to birth naturally. Or that I will have to have a transfer of care (to a hospital). The list goes on.
With all of that, though, now that I’ve had a rather rude awakening (in the form of high blood sugar numbers despite my “tricks”) I know WHAT to do. I just have to take the time to do it properly and adjust to the curve.
Writing this entire article has been embarrassing, because I would rather hide and pretend to be fine than own up to my mistakes in my desire for what I now know to be a false comfort. HOWEVER, that would not be fair to you… I sucked it up and I wrote my mistakes so you can avoid them.
“Real” number learning curve or not, I should have stuck with Trim Healthy Mama throughout this pregnancy despite the cravings and challenges.. but now I have to kick sugar cravings (again) and re-adjust to the healthy foods and sweeteners.. all while being due any day now.
I Did it to Myself
If you are curious what my journey with gestational diabetes looked like during my first pregnancy, you can find that article at How Gestational Diabetes Transformed my Pregnancy, but please look at it through new eyes. Knowing eyes.
How have you stayed in check with Trim Healthy Mama while struggling with a gestational diabetes diagnosis? Was there a learning curve for you? Let me know in the comments below!!
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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