Pregnancy - Gestational Diabetes Question

[kgarrett]

I have a friend who is really scared as she was just given a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes yesterday. She is not raw but eats fairly healthy for a cooked food diet and does probably eat more raw food than your average SAD eater. She is due towards the end of July.

Does anyone have any experience with this. I remember reading the raw detox diet book and she didn't recommend going raw during pregnancy for the first time (she did recommend an increase of raw and other healthy eating) The reason is because of the detox on your body. I don't think my friend should jump on the 100% raw bandwagon at 6 months pregnant.

Can this just be controlled with diet and exercise. She has exercised during the entire pregnancy so it wouldn't be new to her to have to exercise. Her husband is like we are just eating meat and veggies this weekend. They don't know what to do yet. She has an appointment with a specialist on Tuesday because she was diagnosed by her midwife. I don't think she should have to give up fruit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. What questions should she ask? What is a safe and unsafe transition for her into eating more raw. I am thinking this may actually get her to start moving to a high raw diet. What would be some good recipes to make for her? I'd love to help her by making good food that is helpful for her blood sugar and stuff that is yummy.

Thanks for your help!

[kgarrett]

Just bumping this up so it doesn't get missed by anyone who has any experience with this. It had moved a bit down the page.

[kgarrett]

Just bumping this up - anyone have any input. My friend has her specialist appointment tomorrow.

[juliebove]

I had it. Didn't much care for the diet they put me on because it was far more food than I could comfortably eat. I did my best to stick to it though and didn't have to be put on insulin. Unfortanately they keep even more strict tabs on your blood sugar when pregnant so many women do end up on it. I'm on it now. My diabetes is extremely difficult to control, but I have other illnesses that make things more complicated.

[katchmoleen]

My suggestion to your friend is to get her own glucose monitor and test her fasting and post eating blood sugars every day (2 hours after eating they want to see the levels below 140. And fasting they want to see it below 100). BEFORE she gets put on any medications. I was diagnosed with GD with two pregnancies. But my home readings were NEVER abnormal. Just because someone fails a glucose tolerance test drinking that crap that is pure syrup does NOT mean they have dangerous glucose levels in real life. After the first two times, I refused the glucose tolerance tests and just continued to monitor my glucose levels at homes so I could assure my doctor that all was well.

Here is a link to info on gestational diabetes from a holistic point of view. It will take courage for your friend to buck the medical establishment, but I can tell you I am sure glad I did.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gestdiab.html

[kgarrett]

Thank you so much for the information. My friend was so grateful to have it - her specialist appointment is today. I sent her the website information as well and she is going to to look at it before she leaves. Hearing about your experience was a big comfort to her.