Hey Priya, i was searching project for my dh for 2 days. Today he got a call fm Atlanta & he has passed it but the project is only for 1 month at present. I was so upset as here i dont have many friends on whom i can depend. And welll there is noone in the world i can depend as much as i can turn to my dh at this time. My car licence is also expired & will get it on 19th July so untill then what wud i do! So we thought of going together & asked for a hotel stay with cooking facilities,. As it is not much except sabji & Roti i will cook due to this diabities. & carry a crack-pot for rice/ pulses etc. So today i went to see the dr & he did u/S. He is one of the best drs & though i didnt dare to ask him that i wanted to see baby or give me a picture etc....he assured me there is no problem to go. The baby is doing fine & the weight was 2 pounds & 2 ounces which was normal according to him. Somehow, i am the mom so i have more tension that all shud go well. I am loosing weight almost 6 pounds in last 3 weeks but drs say nothing to worry.......let me know if u know anything about this weight loss.....so let me know if anyone u know has flyed during preg......
may be we ll leave by saturday so lets see kya hota hai.... BTW, how is the software market there?

hey priya, i'm due july 20th....6 more weeks to go. i've started my biweekly appointments, I guess i've one more to go to then it'll be weekly. my mom & dad are doing really good, my dad keeps himself busy with TV & internet and also he brought some work from india which he'll need to publish in a few months. My mom has completly taken over the household work, i hardly do anything these days. before i go home from work dinner is on the table and we just go out almost every evening mainly shopping for baby stuffs. It's nice to hear your mom will be here in July, its so much fun having someone around at this time. btw the stroller i bought was from JC Penny not Costco....the brand name is COSCO and the model is Eddie Bauer. Niki, how are you feeling??? no posts from you in a while.....is everything okay??? btw did you send your papers for your mom's visa, when is she coming here?? do take care girls and belly-rubs to all.

Niki, I bought a convertible crib (and a chest to go with it ) from Babies-r-us which can be converted to a todler bed when the baby grows. I got a portable bassinet as a gift for my shower, which i plan to keep in the living room in which the baby can sleep during the day. For Stroller & Car seat combo (Travel System), the best i could find was the Eddie Bauer by Cosco. It was really easy to fold and had big wheels and was pretty sturdy too. The cloth padding was real soft when compared to others and can be removed and machine washable. The only thing i didnt like about this was the car seat/infant seat was heavy, but most of them out there are heavy. I also considered a Glider Literide Travel system (Palisades) by Graco. Swing, I bought the 3-speed by Graco. I also got a bouncer as a gift in my shower, which i initially had planned to buy one. The one i liked was the one that grows with the baby and converts to a todler rocking chair. Have fun shopping.

Hey Nikki and Vidhya,
My 3 hr test showed the glucose level to be abnormal. I need to go to the dietician and now do all that have been doing. Can you please explain me how to monitor, what exactly to be eaten.. I need to take appoimnet so I have not talk to anyone yet. But curious to know the details. Are the natural Sugars also problem? Like fruits?
My doctor did not tell me any details..
So please let me know

Hey Vidhya,

I forgot when are U Due?
Thanks for the nice info about the baby shopping. We will also visit Costco soon to see the straller.
How is ur mom? How is she feeling here?
I will be sending the papers this month and my mother might come in July. But since July is the vacation season we are not getting good deals to Travel from bombay.
Anyways, Take care vidhya, and lots of love to ur little one.
Priya

Niki, Priya is right dont loose your heart on this. think of this as a passing phase, i know its really hard with being alone and also going thru all this but think about your little angel. i picture holding my little baby whenever i feel depressed and since i've been getting the nursery ready for the baby's arrival i think about the little darling even more. just take care of yourself and before you know it all this will be in the past and you'll be having a wonderful time with your love-bug. take care and have fun.

Really sorry to hear about your GD. dont worry, and keep up your spirits. For me my dietitian has suggested 2 glasses of milk and 2 glasses of soymilk (for proteins). she had asked me to cut down on fruits and have veggie instead. since fruits have natural sugars, i usually have 1/2 apple or half banana or a handful of cherries only 2 times in a week. for snacks i munch on celery or baby carrots in the evening, peanuts or cashenuts in the afternoon with one boiled egg. i've been able to control my sugars very well, except when i really crave for potatoes (this is my biggest enemy). I'm pretty sure you'll be able to control your sugar levels without any major trouble. Regarding monitoring your sugar level, it might be a bit uncomfortable initially but you'll get used to it. i've been doing that for more than a month now and its become a piece-of-cake. the only pain is looking for a restroom everytime you go out as it might be the time to take the test. take care and good luck.

Come On Nikki, Don't lose your heart like this. Yeah my SIL is a doctor and she told me Streess is one of the reason for the high sugar. She also told me if my job is stressful just stop working. But I think we all are worried more than anything else. We should be always happy and enjoying life. Since we are alone here, with DHs we always have to be careful and take care of ourselves. That might increase our stress.
I have started going for morning walks. Also have started sitting in front of god everymorning. My mother told me that will definitely help.
My dietician gave me appoinment after 2 days. Just asked me not to have fruit juices and also fruits only with the meals. Milk only before or after 2 hrs of the meals. Asked me to increse protines in the meals. The doctor will definately then guide me for the exact diet but for two days she asked me to do this.
My mom is getting worried because no one had this problem before, in our family. But I think since this is in America they are very careful and don't want any kind of risk that is why they are taking so much care.
Please don't get disappoinment with this small problem. See we will undergo many more problems like sikness of the littleone.. which we might not even have any control ourselves. At least now this thing we can contol ourselvs.
Don't worry nikki , think of the little one. Cheeer up !!
See movies like, Namak haram, Chupake chupake, Batho bato mein, Rangabe range.. Thoes will make up ur mood.
Take care, dont worry :-)

Hi priya, so sorry to know of ur gd. Everyone gets different limits of diet as per their gestational age, weight etc. So ur dietitian is only the correct person to tell u all that. untill then dont try to do dieting. Ya for me fruits r limited to 2 per day & that too in afternoon around 3 or 4 o clock as if had in morning the sugars shoot up. They will give u an instument, instructions & timings to monitor ur sugars & they may also show u a video. I think stress also increases the sugars & in my case it is very much true. Have lot of mental stress & i dont know if i can ever get rid of this. I was wondering if i shuld continue this pregnancy or no.....

Vidhya, which is the stroller u bought? Also let me know if u bought a bassinet or a crib & which one. it is always good to take some openion fm others buying. Also here in this country everyday there is somthin new in the market. Cheers & all the best.

Thanks to u both. Yesterday was the first day with taking insulin & i did it all by myself. I was so scared but slowly this fear will go i guess. I have to continue this for 3 more months....O God! Vidhya, by now u should be knowing if its a boy or a gal!! If so, do let us know. Priya just hope for the best. I didnt feel weak at all after 3 hr glucose test. I was pretty okey & had some snacks after comin home. Anyways, one of my friend in chicago has a limit of sugar count upto 105 for fasting but my dr gave me limit of on 90 for fasting. I dont know what it wud be in California. Take care.

Hi gals, i ve to start with insulin, once a day at night as my morning sugars r not in controll regularly. I was very very scared but my dr has made things easy for me. lets see what happens tonight. Good luck to u all......

Niki, Really sorry to hear about you having to take insuling shots to control your morning sugar-level. dont worry my prayers are with you, and just remember that this is just temporary and all this will go away once you hold your little darling in your arms, i cant wait for that day to come. do take care of yourself and let us know how everything goes. ((((Lots of HUGS)))) and belly-rubs to you.

Hey Nikki,
Seems to be a big process of this sugar control. I have not received my reports yet. I think my doctor will call me sometime today/ tomorrow.
But still feel scared and a bit discouraged after doing 3 hrs test. I was feeling very weak after the test. I think I will have to be on Diet and like U will have to control sugar. Let us wait and see the results.

I had my surprise BABY SHOWER this weekend. I wasnt planning to have one now and rather have it after the baby is born. Since i didnt want everyone to know that i was have GD and couldnt eat sweets or cake etc. but few of my friends who knew about my GD and my husband had planned one at my friend's house. i was so thrilled and couldnt believe my eyes. Also we had planned on buying our baby stuff and setting our nursery this weekend, since toys-r-us had a good baby sale this weekend. we found a crib, stroller/car seat, swing and a few towels and onesies etc. got some cute outfits for our baby and some cute toys in the shower. now i cant wait to use them....:-) I'm just so excited to go home set up crib & swing tonight. belly-rubs to all of you girls.

Hey, have these people got chat room? i wonder how it works! Have utried it?

Hi Vidhya, Congrats to have a shower & wish u all the best for a bright future. Wsh u a very happy delivery & a very happy motherhood. Did U go for lamaze? Did u go to hospital for their 1/2 day free tour? It is very interesting. One of our friends was saying that it a great experience to deliver a baby in US as things r so weel organinsed that u dont needa a worry at all. Yes the trial & error is helping. Now i take fatfree string cheese ( the protien in it helps) with night snack at 9 which is the last thing i eat. Having dinner by 7 is also helping. sugars in morning also come normal these days. hope all goes well. Have gort lots a burns & rashes due to irons shot reaction. will see dermentalogist soon. take care & enjoy pampering fm all.

Hi Niki, really sorry for this late response regarding your fasting sugar level. I've never had a problem with the morning sugar level so far, my suggestion would be that you should go for a walk after dinner and then not take anything heavy as your bedtime snack. try taking a glass of milk or something that is less in carb like saltine crackers. I'm sure you'll be able to control it within a couple of days using trial & error with different foods. Dont worry too much, just try and be happy. All this is for your sweet angel, i cant wait to see the little peanut. have about 7 more weeks to go.

the primary goal in treating GDM is to achieve and maintain maternal euglycemic
levels to improve the outcome for both mother and fetus. Management of GDM
includes diet theraphy, exercise, and insulin therapy if necessary. In humans, the placentas physiologic
role is to a transport nutrients and waste products between the mother and
fetus, b synthesize and secrete hormones, and c maintain an immunologic
barrierThe placenta also ensures the separate development of the fetus by
acting as a screen between the mother and the fetus

During pregnancy, hormonal changes play an important physiologic role in
maintaining a constant supply of glucose to the growing fetusInitially,
hormonal changes occur that result in the shift of metabolic products eg,
glucose from the mother toward the growing fetusMoreover, the rising
concentrations of hormones further enhance fetal nutrition through increasing
release of fatty acids and conversion of amino acids to glucose by a process
known as gluconeogenesis

During a normal pregnancy, there is a gradual increase in insulin resistance
Although most pregnant women are able to maintain normal blood glucose levels,
some pregnant women are unable to maintain euglycem aWomen who are
genetically disposed to gestational diabetes mellitus GDM are unable to
secrete sufficient insulin to meet their requirements during pregnancy or exhibit
an exaggerated insulin resistance or a combination of these defects.[


During the fasting state in GDM, severe insulin resistance is characterized by an
overproduction of glucose by the liver; this is the major cause of fasting
hyperglycemiaDuring the fed state in GDM, severe insulin resistance is
characterized by a decrease in insulin-mediated glucose uptake by muscle. This
is responsible for the excessive increase in postprandial blood glucose levelsDietary
management of GDM requires nutritionists who comprehend not only the
maternal metabolic changes that occur in a normal pregnancy but how these
metabolic changes alter the requirements for insulinMANAGEMENT OF GDM

Management of GDM is complex and varies depending on the womans physical,
psychological, cultural, and educational needs] The patient needs to acquire
the knowledge and skills regarding diet, blood glucose monitoring, insulin
therapy, and exercise to participate in the management of GDM] Education
is very important in ensuring a healthy outcome for the mother and fetusand
the nutrition counselor registered dietitian can assume a responsible role in this
educational process. The approach to managing GDM includes a combination of
diet, exercise, intensive insulin therapy, and determination of multiple daily blood
glucose levels]The goals of nutritional counseling include providing the necessary nutrients for
fetal development and maintenance of maternal health, maintaining
normoglycemia, preventing ketosis, and achieving an appropriate weight gain.Nutritional Prescription

For GDM, the nutritional prescription should satisfy the minimum requirements
for pregnant women] Weight gain during pregnancy should be based on
prepregnancy weight eg, body mass index. For example, obese women should
gain approximately 7 kg, and women who are underweight should gain up to 18
kg when they become pregnantThe
recommended distribution of total caloric intake is a 35% to 45%
carbohydrates; b 20% to 25% protein; and c 35% to 40% fatWhen
carbohydrate intake is limited, postprandial blood glucose levels are lower
compared with diets higher in carbohydrate content. Complex carbohydrates are
recommended because simple sugars have the tendency to increase
postprandial blood glucose levelsSupplemental iron is recommended for women who are at risk for an iron
deficiency, usually at a level of 30 mg/dayOther vitamin and mineral
supplements should be prescribed according to the womans needsand
should include 1200 mg calcium and 400 [micro]g folate.Factors That Affect Blood Glucose Levels

The primary goal of GDM is to achieve and maintain euglycemia throughout
pregnancy to improve the outcome for both mother and fetus] Many factors
affect blood glucose levels* Stress eg, physical and psychological

Rationale: Physical eg, pregnancy and psychological stress can aggravate
glucose intolerance in the morning through elevated levels of cortisol and
norepinephrine.

* Time of day

Rationale: The circadian rhythm of hormones eg, cortisol affects blood glucose
levels. Higher levels of serum free cortisol in the morning result in greater glucose
intolerance in the early morning. Later in the day, a higher carbohydrate intake
can be tolerated.


* Exercise

Rationale: Exercise helps to lower blood glucose levels by increasing muscle
uptake of glucose.

* Amount of carbohydrate consumed

Rationale: Simple sugars cause the blood glucose level to peak within 1 hour
compared with complex carbohydrates, which cause the blood glucose level to
peak within 2 hours. Simple sugars are easy to digest, have a low satiety value,
and are usually in a liquid form eg, fruit juices, milk. Complex carbohydrates
require more time to be digested, have a high satiety value, and are not in liquid
form eg, vegetables, bread.Glycemic index is a term that refers to the percentage increase in the blood
glucose level after consuming a food compared to glucose] The glycemic
index of a food is influenced by the characteristics of the food or meal. Some of
the factors include processing, preparation, storage, physical form, and ripeness
of the foods.[Also, the glycemic response varies considerably within the
same individual and between individuals. Therefore, it is important for each
patient to determine her own glycemic index by monitoring food intake and
postprandial blood glucose levels]Basic Dietary Guidelines
* Avoid sugar and foods high in sugar

Rationale: Sugar and concentrated sweets usually have a high caloric content,
are low in nutrients, and cause hyperglycemia in GDM. Many foods that contain
high amounts of sugar are also high in fat eg, ice cream, donuts, sweet
rolls.* Avoid foods rich in sugar and/or fat

Rationale: Such foods cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels and may have a
high fat content, which contributes to excessive weight gain.

* Eat small frequent meals

Rationale: When small frequent meals are consumed, postprandial
hyperglycemia and preprandial starvation ketosis are avoided.


* Eat a small breakfast

Rationale: A small breakfast that is low in carbohydrates <10% is
recommended because blood glucose levels can be high in GDM.

Hi Aruna, Good that u r in controll of sugars before pregnancy. For me it has come at such a stage that even though i know it is all good diet etc.... i get disappointed as i am losing weight. i can dr only on tuesday now/ Also at this stage of pregnancy when U have to change anything physically or mentally it is very very difficult. Now ive lost all faith in Drs. & have faith just in God. I hope He will do all well.