Recently, I got a text from a friend who is pregnant with twins. She said, “I just failed my sugar test and have to go back for the three-hour test… I’m sort of a sobbing mess about it right now, and I remember you saying you had gestational diabetes. Any words of advice?”
It’s true. I actually had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies, though I’ve never written about it here. I was, of course, happy to share a little bit of my experience with my friend, but – since reaching through the phone to give her a hug wasn’t really an option – I mostly tried to encourage her that this wasn’t the WORST thing ever. I could absolutely relate to her feelings of worry, guilt, and sadness over the first (and, in my case, second) failed tests; but, for me, gestational diabetes ended up almost being a blessing in disguise. I was lucky enough to be able to manage mine through dietary changes both times and, in the end, delivered perfectly healthy little 7 pound babies. Other than the inconvenience and stress of having to prick my finger to take my sugars five times a day and not being able to eat donuts, gestational diabetes really was just a good incentive to eat healthier and get more physical activity during my pregnancies.
I figured there are probably other mamas-to-be out there in similar situations (waiting to take the 3-hour test or recently diagnosed with GD), who might also benefit from hearing about my experience. So, below is my story with a few “words of advice” sprinkled in.
First though, and hopefully this goes without saying, but just in case: I’m not a medical expert. If you have (or might have) gestational diabetes, you need to work with your doctor to make the necessary changes in your diet (and, possibly, figure out medications) to keep you and your baby healthy. This is just my experience, and yours may be very different. If you want to learn more or aren’t even sure exactly what gestational diabetes is the American Diabetes Association and the American Pregnant Association are two great places to start (just don’t let them scare you).
Dear Pregnant Mom Who Failed Her Sugar Test,
First, deep breath. It really is OK. It is OK that you are sad, and scared, and feel like “the worst mom ever.” I did too. It is OK that you failed the screening. Actually, lots of women do and many actually “pass” the follow-up three-hour test. And, even if you DO have gestational diabetes, that is OK too. Once the shock of it all wears off, it really isn’t as hard to treat as you might think, and you (and your baby) are going to be JUST FINE. It’s OK if you need to cry in a bathroom stall before you go back to work, but know this: You are NOT a bad mom. You’ve got this!!
My doctor’s office doesn’t require that you fast before taking the one-hour test, so at 28 weeks pregnant with Sam, I had Cheerios for breakfast (shows you how dumb I was – I thought that would be a good choice since they weren’t sweet), happily chugged that disgusting orange cocktail that had been chilling in my fridge for the last month, and showed up ready to ace this thing. The nurse took my blood and – I kid you not – GASPED when she read my blood sugar. I can’t remember exactly how high it was, but I think they are looking for something under 140, and I know mine was over 200. I’m still a little bitter at that nurse. She should have told me not to eat Cheerios when she warned me about the test at my last appointment, and she certainly shouldn’t have acted like my blood sugar was the worst thing she’d ever seen. I hadn’t even had my baby yet, and I already felt like the worst mom in the world.
Yes, I cried. Yes, I Googled the heck out of “gestational diabetes.” Then, I scheduled my 3-hour test and tried to think of it as a nice “break” and bought myself some fun magazines to read… The 3-hour test is exactly as lovely as it sounds (sorry). This time, at least, they told me not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, and I’d “wised up” a bit and tried to limit my carb/sweets intake for the week or so leading up to it. When I got there, a nurse took my “fasting” blood sugar. Then, I got to drink my second helping of that lovely orange cocktail, and had blood drawn to test my sugars after one hour, two hours, and three hours. Good times.
The good news (I guess) is that you get your results pretty much immediately after each test, so there’s no anxious waiting around. The bad news is, I’m pretty sure you only have to fail one of the four to officially “fail” the test and be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I can’t remember my numbers, but I failed.
**To be clear, most women pass the 3-hour test. I think it’s pretty common to fail the in-office sugar test (probably because they don’t tell you what to eat or not/eat before it); so, though the 3-hour test is annoying and miserable (sorry, but it’s true), you’ll probably walk out of there scot-free. If you’ve only failed the first sugar test, my biggest advice to you is to NOT WORRY (at least not yet). Take the day off of a work, sit for the test, and then treat yourself to a pedicure or something. (Shoot, treat yourself to a pedicure even if you don’t pass… You know what I mean.)
***ALSO, it’s worth mentioning that the internet is a wealth of information when it comes to quick tips for “tricking” or “cheating on” the glucose test. Trust me, I’ve been tempted by them. I get it. BUT, ultimately, I realized that if my body isn’t managing glucose and insulin well, I NEED to know that and be able to fix it. Thankfully, there are fairly easy ways to treat gestational diabetes available today – either through diet or medication – but , left undiagnosed/untreated, it could be VERY dangerous to my baby. Sure, eat eggs instead of Lucky Charms before your test; but, don’t try to outsmart the test. The benefit isn’t worth the cost.
After my official diagnosis at the 3-hour test, a nurse called me to set-up a “diabetes education class” where I would receive my glucose monitor and be taught how to check sugars and adjust my diet. It was three hours one afternoon, which meant another afternoon off of work, and – in an effort to be totally transparent – it was pretty miserable. By this point, I’d had about three days to worry myself absolutely sick about what gestational diabetes would mean for my baby and beat myself up about not being healthy enough (or, really, skinny-enough in my mind) to provide a safe place for him to grow. I was a wreck. The internet is no help here. I read horror stories of women being forced to have c-sections because their babies were 100 pounds at birth (OK, ten, but you get the idea), and babies having to be rushed to the NICU after delivery to receive treatment for high sugar levels. On top of all the guilt and worry, I was also – frankly – mad. Aren’t pregnant women supposed to be able to eat ice-cream every night? This wasn’t FAIR. Why me?!? These were some HARD days for this pregnant mama.
I like classes, so the class itself wasn’t terrible. They gave me lots of literature, taught me how to use my glucose monitor and track my sugars, told me what numbers I was aiming for each time, and answered my questions. One of the questions I had was if I had done something to make this happen… Was it my weight before I got pregnant? My (possibly excessive) weight gain during pregnancy? My poor eating habits? They answered with a resounding “NO,” but I’m going to tell it to you straight here… I think they were WRONG (or sparing me, either way).
Listen, I don’t think ALL cases of gestational diabetes are related to the mother’s weight/health. There are plenty of other things that can “cause” it like certain medical conditions, advanced maternal age, or a family history of diabetes – but I didn’t have any of those “risk factors.” The truth was: I COULD have been healthier when I got pregnant with Sam. Beyond that, logic says that if the condition could be “fixed” by my diet and exercise habits, it was likely also “caused” by them. Right? This was hard for me to accept and – honestly – I didn’t really at the time. I preferred thinking it was out of my hands. But, now that I’ve had over 5-years to process it and admit to myself- I think my story would have been different if I had been healthier going into pregnancy. There. I said it. Do with that what you will.
Moving on…
Once I had all the information, I was sent on my way with a new grocery list, a prescription for diabetes test strips, and a cute little pocket sugar monitor (just kidding about it being cute). To be honest, once I got used to it all, keeping the “gestational diabetes plan” was actually pretty easy. To my surprise, I was still allowed to eat carbs (healthy ones like whole-wheat bread and brown rice), they just had to be balanced out by lots of protein. The idea behind the whole eating plan is to keep your sugars LEVEL – not to avoid sugar altogether… It took a few weeks for me to get the hang of things and figure out my body; but, eventually, I was able to determine what foods made my sugars rise and stay away from them. I also quickly learned that exercise was a GREAT way to keep my sugars in check. If I ate something that affected me negatively, a ten minute brisk walk usually evened things out (and that wasn’t cheating)! I DID have to stay away from super sugary things with no nutritional value – i.e. no more gummy bears or cupcakes for me – but otherwise, I didn’t feel exceptionally restricted at all. Best of all, other than a few big spikes at the beginning, I was able to keep my sugars in check without having to be on medication, which was huge. (Again, some women, truly, cannot manage with diet/exercise alone. That’s OK too. In fact, see above… It might even mean that your lifestyle wasn’t to blame in the first place!)
For about three months, I watched what I ate and pricked myself four times a day to get a sugar reading – once in the morning when I first woke up (known as the “fasting level”) and then two hours after every meal. My goal was to have readings between 60 and 90 in the morning and to stay below 120 throughout the rest of the day. For me, that meant having a very small breakfast with no fruit or juice (around 30 grams of sugar), sticking to 45 – 60 grams of sugar at lunch and dinner, and having several small snacks throughout the day (remember, it’s important not to crash either) with about 15 – 30 grams of sugar. I also found that my fasting numbers – the hardest one to regulate – were better if I had a rather large/high-protein snack right before bed.I kept a log of everything I ate in the beginning, and then, eventually, just of my sugar readings. This log went to my OB at every appointment, and if things looked OK, that’s the only “check” he did.
Yes, it was overwhelming at first. Yes, it was annoying to have to keep a constant eye on the clock and prick my finger multiple times every day. Yes, I felt like a child having to take my “homework” sheet to the doctor each appointment. And, yes, the pricks hurt sometimes. BUT, all that inconvenience became second nature after doing it for a couple of weeks. Seriously. By the time I delivered, it was no.big.deal.
To be honest, gestational diabetes was probably one of the BEST things to happen to me from a health/nutrition standpoint. Prior to my diagnosis, I had gained a lot of weight in my pregnancy; but, afterward, both times, I only gained a tiny bit. In other words, I gained the vast majority of my “baby weight” in the first half of my pregnancy instead of the second half as is typical. I shutter to think what might have happened to my body had I not had gd. Seriously.
As a result of those three months or so (x2) of monitoring my sugars and tracking my food and exercise, I also learned a lot about how my body processes things and what is good for me. For example, I learned that bananas are high in sugar and green fruits (like green apples) are the lowest. More importantly, I learned that making conscious decisions about what and when I ate actually made me FEEL good ( or at least as good as one can feel at eight months pregnant).
The emotional side of gestational diabetes was the hardest for me. I was pretty heartbroken over it all. Sure, I realized that there are A LOT worse things that can happen during pregnancy, and I was incredibly grateful for an otherwise very easy pregnancy and healthy baby. But, this was my burden, and it was still hard to bear. There were days, too, when I was just ANGRY. I wanted to be the pregnant woman who could eat whatever she wanted and not feel bad about it. Isn’t that what pregnancy is supposed to be about?!? And, on top of all that, I was really embarrassed. GD wasn’t something that I wanted to share with people – my friends, my blog readers, etc. – so I felt very alone in it all. (That’s why I’m – finally – writing this post… So many you won’t feel like I did.)
I remember when Sam was born being SO anxious for them to tell me his weight and his sugar level. (Babies born to moms with un-regulated gestational diabetes are often large and sometimes have a sugar crash and need insulin at birth). When the nurse announced that he was a perfect – average – 7 pounds, 3 ounces, I cried with joy. All those missed ice-cream binges were worth it. He also had no sugar problems at all, and mine went back to normal levels immediately after delivery. (I celebrated with Krispy Kreme donuts.)
Four years later, when I was pregnant with Nora, my OB tested me early (at 15 weeks) and I actually passed the test in the office!! It was only a matter of time though… At 28 weeks, I got a slightly elevated sugar reading. He thought I *might* pass the 3-hour test, but by this time, I knew the drill… Because I didn’t want to risk a “fluke” pass that might be a risky for my baby, and I didn’t really want another orange cocktail (it would have been my FOURTH) or another morning off of work, I asked him if I could just get a prescription for the test strips and start monitoring my sugars. So, basically, I diagnosed myself and put myself on the “diet.” Ha. It came really naturally this time and felt much easier to manage. Plus, by this point, I knew how much it actually helped me to pay attention to what I was eating etc. I never regretted that decision. Nora, too, was born right on time at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and never had a sugar problem.
And there you have it. My gestational diabetes story. Although it’s not the story I would have written, it has a happy ending. And, mama, yours will too.
Motherhood is all about making sacrifices for what’s best for our babies. It’s about doing things that are hard and inconvenient and – sometimes – embarrassing. It is HUMBLING. But the prize at the end… It is 100% worth it.
You are a GOOD MOM already, and you’ve got this!
Love, E
By the way, my friend from above. She passed the 3-hour test. 😉
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This is awesome! I have a good friend who has an almost identical story. She’s now pregnant with her fourth baby and has managed GD each time with diet and exercise. (Also, she tells a similar story of it forcing her to good nutrition. She ended up weighing LESS on the day she delivered than she had when she got pregnant!)
I’ve actually never heard of anyone else managing GD with diet, and by watching my friend I can say I really admire the dedication to your baby and your health. My friend says it’s different than sticking to a diet because the repercussions affect your baby so it’s a no-brainer to pass up that refined sugar. But I’m still impressed.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your candid story. I had an extremely similar experience with my second pregnancy and GD. This a great resource for moms to be that get the diagnosis. I have to say that orange drink is one of the WORST things I had to experience during pregnancy (not that I can complain, because I had relatively “easy” pregnancies).
Thanks for sharing! Though I haven’t had GD with either of mine, I can totally resonate with how the diagnosis helped keep you on a healthy track. Glad both those babies came out perfectly! Do you still calculate or think about your sugar/carb intake now that you’re a year and a half away from it?
Gosh, just got word that I have to go in for my second test. I was a wreck, until I read this. Thank you so much for helping lift my spirits. This is truly inspirational, and I hope other soon to be mommas find their way here!
Just got called back for the fasting test after a slightly elevated level at the “challenge” test. Eleven weeks pregnant with twins so was tested early. I was so upset to have “failed” the first test and have been reading so many things online. I just wanted to tell you that this is by far the most calming thing I have read. Thank you for your story and words of wisdom, wonderful to have read your insight on this “journey.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. It is certainly frustrating to have it (2nd time for me) and feel like I have no control over myself. Unfortunately I was hypoglycemic previously so the whole diet thing is so tough. I’m either high or low. I feel like crap. But I’m 33 weeks so this too shall pass soon.
Thank you for this post! I have been beating myself up for my higher than average consumption of chocolate and other sweets throughout my pregnancy after failing my glucose test. I’ve mostly maintained my pre-pregnancy exercise routine and am generally fairly healthy so I didn’t think it would be that bad to have more dessert… Your story makes me feel so much better as I’m about to do the 3 hour test. It feels like I’m a bad mom already even though I know there are other factors like being over 35 (which I am). Fingers crossed that I don’t have GD but if I do your experience shows that you can get through it ok.
This is so encouraging! Thank you!
My doctor told me that what causes gestational diabetes is actually the placenta. So don’t guilt trip yourself ladies.
Thank you for writing this. I was diagnosed yesterday and I cannot stop crying. I feel like the biggest failure in the world. I have never been so disappointed in myself. I feel like I should have done things differently and I am so bitter thinking of all the other women i know that have had it easy. I HAVE eaten healthy and I HAVE exercised yet still I am faced with this reality. I pray for a healthy pregnancy and my birth plan of a water birth with no epidural and I am terrified that may not happen now. I am so scared and upset and reading this helped to put my mind at a somewhat healthy level. Thank you for sharing.
I just got my results back earlier this morning and just don’t know how to feel about it. The moment I got that phone call I dumped all of my “late night snacks” from my night stand and just been googling ALL DAY LONG! I’m 28 weeks pregnant and have not had the best experience with my pregnancy since day one, with having a scare of maybe having SMA (thank God everything was fine, and that difficult time has passed) but now this, I feel like the most awful mother in the world. I didn’t know what to think, how to feel. I just googled and googled, went shopping for some healthier food options and drank a couple of gallons of water. This article definitely helped….alot! Immediately after reading this I just busted out in tears because there is hope, and I’m not the only mom-to-be going through this, I scheduled my 3 hour test for 2 days from now and I’m so scared of what to expect and you kind of gave me a light at the end of the tunnel, thank you so much for that.
Thank you so much for sharing the story! So glad it’s a happy ending! I just failed my first test and waiting for the 3-hr one. Hopefully, everything will turn out to be good. Being a Mom is definitely a challenge but I think we got this!
Thank you for sharing your story. I failed my first test and cried for hours on end feeling defeated and feeeling as if I had failed. I felt okay a couple days later, today I took my 2 hour test and hopefully everything comes out positive but after reading this I feel it will be quite manageable and I am much to in my head! My mother definitely didn’t help me feel better, lol.
Thank you for being so open about such a personal aspect of life so other could feel less alone.
Thank you for writing this.. I had gd with my daughter and I was devastated I had waited til I was 30 to finally have a child and I felt like my pregnancy was ruined with the diagnosis. Mine was controlled through diet as well with I sucked at keeping up with but she was only 6pounds6ounces when born so idk.. I recently found out I’m pregnant with my second ip be 32 when I have this one I’m only 7 weeks but as soon as I found out I’ve drastically cut carbs and mainly drink water I’m praying I don’t have it with this child but if I fail the one hour I’m going to just be like u and forgo the 3 hour an just diagnose myself with it ….your words were really uplifting … I still don’t get why they basically want women to carb overload 3 days before the 3 hour seems weird.
Just stumbled across this while searching Google to feel less alone in this diagnosis. I’ve been tracking for a week, and finally not crying on the daily, and your post so well describes my feelings so far! I think one of the hardest things is feeling alone in it. I have friends who were diagnosed but refused to follow through with guidance for treatment, which at first made me feel even saltier about it because I’m a rule-follower! But you’re right-motherhood is allllll about what we do for our babies, and I can do this too. Thank you for putting this out there-I needed it tonight!
Thank you for writing this. I’m going through your exact story right now and I keep coming back to read it when something new happens and I get scared. I love that you call yourself “E” too, because that’s also my nickname. You have no idea the anxiety you saved me from. Thanks again!
-E
I just took my 3 hour test this morning. Fruit punch version of the drink is actually pretty tolerable, FYI! Just want to say thanks for sharing your story in such great detail. I will refer to it again if my results come back that I indeed have GD. I have to wait a day or two for results (pure torture), and this is all happening a week before Christmas during this pandemic. What an adventure of a 2nd pregnancy. I barely passed the 1 hr with my first pregnancy, and I weigh more and have higher BP this time, and I’m 39 yrs old, so I was expecting to fail the 1 hour but I’m really hoping that I pass the 3 hour one. You really helped me realize it’s the emotional side that is the most draining. Thanks for the help and support.
Thank you for sharing I just found out my 3 hour is abnormal so I will be speaking with the Dr tomorrow (well today cause it’s 4:30am) I’m very worried about the baby having some sort of sugar issue at birth die to this so it was very relieving to hear yours was born at a normal weight with no issues. I really hope you know how much this article helps others… Thanks again.
Thank you so much for writing this. It’s like I am reading my own thoughts. I am yet to meet a nutritionist to start working on my diet plan but the thoughts kept haunting me that I was a bad mom or maybe I wasn’t ready to have a baby in the first place, so I googled today and found you. I don’t plan on telling anyone other than my husband of course about my diagnosis because I know the blame will go to me (to some extent it could, because I did give myself a lot of sugary treats in the first half of pregnancy but to the larger extent its also because it already runs in my genes from both my parents)…but it still doesn’t console me. Your blog made me calmer, and I realized that I wasn’t the only one going crazy with these thoughts. I hope I come out of this journey a winner too..Thank you.
I know this is an older post but I just found it after getting the call this morning that I didn’t pass my first test. And i’ve been pretty “sobby” about it. This really…REALLY helped to read. Thank you.
Echoing Heather’s comment above. I just got my phone call as well and this was really helpful and reassuring to read. It gives me hope that all will be well. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for writing this❤️.