please help!!!

[maybesoon]

I am new to this baord and could really use some help/hope.

A little about me...
I am 36 and I did 5 fresh IVF's to get pregnant. That was a twin pregnancy and I lost it at 18 weeks from PROM and probable IC. So, now I did my first frozen and I am again pregnant with twins. I had a cerflage at 13 weeks and started having cervical funneling at 16 weeks. At 18 weeks, I was put on strict home bedrest (up to the bathroom only) due to the cervix being open to the level of the cerclage.

Yesterday, I got the results of my glucola test and it was 202 (way too high). So, now I am supposed to do the 3 hour test, but the nurse said that I most likely have gestational diabetes and this is just a formality.

I am so scared and sad, all I can do is cry! I am in bed all day and not allowed to exercise and my husband has to work during the day, so my foo choices are limited. He makes me a sandwich for lunch and I snack on carrots and crackers to get me through the day.

I am so scared of blood sugar testing and I just do not think that I can prick my fingers 4 times per day. Does anyone do forearm testing?

I saw the suggested diet thread and was wondering if anyone had a list/website with food choices and amounts. The starch/meat advice is too general for me.

I have been on bedrest now for about 4 1/2 weeks. I am 22 weeks and 5 days today and my biggest fear is that my babies will not make it again and that I will be unable to control the diabetes. Everything seems so hopeless!

I forgot to mention that I am on Motrin every 6 hours, Nifedipine twice a day (supposed to be on an empty stomach) and prometrium suppositories at bedtime.

[MT_firegirl]

I'm not pg and can't identify with that aspect of your post, but I wanted to offer some words of comfort and encouragement. I'm a juvenile onset diabetic and wanted to tell you that there are alternatives to poking your finger and that diabetes is not as difficult to manage as you might think, and although it can be a severe inconvenience, it is not as bad as you would think.

I have gone back and forth with forearm testing and have found that it can be a relief at times when my fingers have had enough. I have found that if I draw an imaginary line down the middle of my finger and poke my finger at the mid point between the imaginary line and the side of my finger that my fingers do not get sore at all and that choosing the correct depth of poking helps as well. Start out at a very shallow depth and alternate fingers with ever poking.

I still snack frequently and have found that snacks like baby carrots with dressing, apple wedges with peanut butter, strawberries, and even animal crackers can keep my glucose levels nice and stable as well as feed my urges to snack.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm sorry about your previous loss and am sending you positive thoughts for calm energy and an uneventful delivery of your beautiful babies.

[pw2007]

Maybe - Congratulations on your babies! I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles. Each one on its own would be difficult to deal with but you've been dealt the motherload! Hang in there. Your time will come to an end and your babies will be better off with the precautions you are taking now.

I just got diagnosed with GD last week. I'm 30 weeks along so that helps. I just got a "One Touch Ultra Mini" blood glucose tester this weekend and it really doesn't hurt at all to prick my finger. I've set the "piercing" level to a 3 (which is pretty low) so I honestly don't feel it.

I'm still adjusting to the diet and exercise it hard for me because my baby is laying so low that it hurts to move around a lot. It's frustrating.

Maybe get some books or review some websites while you're "lounging" around to ease you mind and pass the time.

18 weeks left for you! At least you're on the downside. Please take it easy, nothing is worth going through what you did before.

Take care.

[maybesoon]

Thank you all for your suggestions and support. It is so nice to have people that are understanding and helpful. I found out today that all 4 of my numbers on the 3 hour test were too high (which obviously did not make me happy). The nurse is supposed to get back to me about another appt, but she seemed to think that I would go straight to insulin with the numbers being so high (the highest was 249).

I am devastated and I still cry often. I just don't think that I am as strong and brave as you guys. You all seem to be able to manage your blood sugars and the testing, but I am so freaked out. I am so impressed with you ladies and wish that I could be like you.

MT-firegirl, I worked with juvenille diabetics when I was younger as a camp counsellor and those children were so inspirational and amazing. I have a lot of respect for people that have had to deal with this most of their lives.

CassAnn and pw2007, do you have an endocrinologist or does the OB tell you how much insulin to take?

Thanks again ladies for listening and for helping. You do give me hope.

[micheleonel]

Maybe, I have to remind you that you have been through a LOT to get to where you are today and that takes AMAZING strength so please don't sell yourself short!

I know it is a blow to learn of gestational diabetes. It hit me hard too but look at all you have done already to take care of these babies, this will not be harder, you might have to switch brands of crackers, but you will be fine and it is only for a temporary span of time.

I wish you comfort and confidence as you go through this part of your journey. Your twins already have an amazing mother!