gestational diabetes?

[franky]

I was told today that i have gestational diabetes (it's a long story as to why it took so long to get diagnosed)... my OB said to cut down on sugar and carbs.... if I do that, will it help with my energy levels?
oh, I don't have a thing to test my blood sugar levels. I'm 36 weeks pregnant, my c-section should be scheduled the first week of April... I just want to know if this will give me more energy. My levels weren't off the charts or anything, just elevated enough for it to be GD.

[Rick S]

That is a good start. You need to be checking your blood sugars too. When you wake up (fasting) should be less than 95. 2 hours after breakfast, lunch and dinner you should be less than 120. Exercise is going to be very important also. If you can not achieve these numbers with diet and exercise you need to be on medicine. We use an oral medication called glyburide now or insulins.
It is important that you keep your sugars under control for your babys health. Everyone is worried about big babies but the most serious problem is hypoglycemia (low sugars) the baby may experience after birth.

Good luck
RIck MD

[Doodlestuff]

Yes. Most of the time, your energy levels are low because of too many carbs and too little iron. Eliminating processed sugar is doable only if you stop eating processed foods. Limit your bread/starch/pasta to only 2-3 servings a day. Eating fat (such as cheese or nuts) when you are eating something higher in carbs (even fruit), slows how quickly it get's into your blood, so your body doesn't have to pump in so much insulin. See how that goes.

1 bread - 1 slice or half a bagel or english muffin
1 starch - 3 oz potato, 1/2 cup rice
1 pasta - 1/2 cup pasta (any).

[Jamie G]

Yes, and add extra protien and a little extra fat to round things out, those energy sources last longer in the body. Also be sure you're up and active regularly, taking walks, swimming, biking, whatever low impact stuff you can do.

[**A*L**]

Aside from other things mentioned, I'd add walking. Diet & exercise alone wasn't enough for me last time or this time. But thankfully you only have a short time to go. Good Luck!

Switch your white carbs to whole grains instead.
Eat every two hours (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack). That will also help.