I had just finished my second glucose test and the nurse called. “Unfortunately….” {this was the part when that bubble formed in my throat and I knew I was going to start crying} “…you failed your glucose test.
Girl, I let her finish her sentence and I hung up. Tears burst from my eyes and all these thoughts came to the forefront. Keep in mind it takes a lot for me to cry and with those pregnancy hormones pumping through my body, I was doomed for a good ol’ ugly cry.
What did I do to get this? Is my baby okay? What is going to happen? I’m already a bad mom. I don’t eat THAT terrible. How do I get rid of it? Does this mean I’ll have diabetes when I’m not pregnant? (Do any of these questions sound familiar?)
I am not a medical doctor, a nurse or any of that, but I am a mom and I managed my gestational diabetes with what I ate and some medication, no insulin, thankfully. Check out my advice if you are just starting this journey, are in the midst of it or just because you want to hear from someone that survived gestational diabetes (and I think I’m a good mom. Haha..)
It’s REALLY not your fault!
Re-read that if you need to. 🙂 Seriously.
After I failed (I hate this word is used) the first glucose test, I told myself that I would eat ZERO carbs or sugar until my 2nd test. That was honestly probably the wrong thing to do now looking back, but that is what I did. I thought maybe, just maybe, I could pass the second test if I didn’t have any sugar to process. By the way, I failed the second test by like .1. Ugh!
Later I learned that the type of gestational diabetes I had a milder condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells. So, the only way to get rid of it is to remove the placenta, but we don’t want to do that because that is how that sweet baby is getting fed and growing, right? Now, don’t freak out, but if you have some of the items on the below list, you may actually have diabetes – it just wasn’t diagnosed until now, but know that you can take steps to help your body out regardless of why you have it.
So, remember that you did not do this. It’s simply hormones and your placenta in most cases. Having said that, here are some factors that do increase your chances of having it, but again, it’s not your fault (so stop being so hard on yourself).
Over 25 years old
Overweight
Close relative with Type 2 Diabetes
PCOS
High Blood Pressure prior to pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes in previous pregnancy
Non-White ethnic groups
Better food is best for baby
In the end, you are growing a little baby and that baby needs to eat real food. Yes, it is a bummer you can’t give them a piece of pizza and a cookie, but is that really best for your babe’s development? Probably not.
I ended up cutting out carbohydrates and sugars completely. I basically ate a keto type diet. I will say it was the healthiest Thanksgiving and Christmas ever. Haha..But all kidding aside, I barely gained any extra weight during pregnancy and found that my healthy eating habits made post-partum.
Managing your gestational diabetes.
Download a mobile app to help record your glucose levels and the food you eat. Some folks can get away with carbs, potatoes and other vegetables, but my blood sugar raised with all of these. I used “Glucose Buddy” which was geared towards the diabetic community, but it was very helpful.
Listen to your doctor.
This may sound dumb, but my physician was so impressed that I had actually followed instructions. She told me most women diagnosed with GS at her practice don’t record their glucose and eat whatever they want. This could have greater implications on your baby, so just listen to the doc.
Join a support group. I joined a FB group and just found it helpful to see that I wasn’t in this alone. I also had a friend who was also diagnosed. We would text and it was comforting to just know that we were both dealing with the same thing.
Check out Facebook groups or ask your OBGYN office if they offer any services for women to connect.
Maternal Mental Health therapy may also be an option if you are really struggling.
My prayer for you is that you take this Gestational Diabetes on and do what is best for you and your baby. You can do this! You will make it through and you will be better for it! Hang in there mama!
Located off of US-17 between Hampstead and Porter’s Neck area of Wilmington is Poplar Grove Plantation, known for it’s weekly Farmer’s Market and history which is open to the public for tours. Beside the plantation sits a gravel parking lot that welcomes guest visiting the Abbey Foy-Moore Nature Preserve, which was property donated back in 2008, 62-acres in fact, to the North Carolina Land Trust.
There are several trails that lead to a large pond and dam. This is a great place to take your dog for a run (I know people do that. Not me.) or take your kids on a walk. We typically walk about 2 miles and I carry our little one in a baby carrier. Some trails are stroller-friendly, but it’s much easier to navigate without as the trails are not paved.
Parking: Yes, a large gravel parking lot
Restrooms: Not Available
Stroller Friendly: Not really
Don’t forget the bug spray and watch out for wildlife!
On the weekends this nature preserve gets pretty busy. I recommend to plan your first trip here during the weekday during work hours or after work one afternoon.
If you like being in nature and looking for a nice walk, I highly recommend this nature preserve! Enjoy the trails and if you snap a photo of the pond, tag @wilmingtonmom on instagram.
Located close to downtown Wilmington, Greenfield Lake/Park is a must see. This is one of my favorite parks in Wilmington, NC. It’s filled with nature, wildlife and fun activities for kids and adults. Oh and there is a ton of space for dogs to enjoy as well.
Picnic under the covered shelters, on one of the many wooded lookout areas by the lake or on the grass under the huge mature tree. The park offers a lot for every age group and has a 4.5 mile paved walkway around the lake, which is great for a stroller or bike ride. The path easily fits a double stroller and is a great place to walk with a friend.
Watch out for alligators that call this lake home and see how many turtles you can count soaking up the sun or swimming around in the water!
Parking: Several parking lots
Restrooms: Available near the main entrance/ playgrounds
Stroller Friendly: yes!
Other activities offered:
2 Tennis Courts (no lights) behind 302 Willard St
Greenfield Grind Skate Park (behind 302 Willard St)
Water Access (no boat motors)
Kayak Access
Paddle Boats/Canoe Rentals (with a covered awning)
Check out this great website, which has a “Guided Tour” and Brief History of Greenfield Lake – Cape Fear River Watch Website.
According to Cape Fear River Watch’s website, Greenfield Lake was built in the 1730’s by Dr. Samuel Green to help with rice production. In the early 1900’s the lake became a popular recreation destination for swimming and boating and there was once an amusement park on the park land. In 1925 the city bought the land for $25,000.
Greenfield Lake and Park is one of the most beautiful places in Wilmington. It is a fun place for kids to play and a peaceful place for parents too. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Thinking about working from home with a baby? Well this one is for you mama! I won’t tell you that is a magical ride and super easy because to be honest the last week was rough. My husband and I both work for companies that allow us to work virtually and with all the toys and distractions we own, I figured it wouldn’t be too hard, just different.
Well, its tough to juggle nursing, nap schedules, conference calls, video calls, emails, webinars, and make sure that you eat lunch, use the bathroom, (ya know, the basic human needs?) and keep your baby occupied during playtime. Here are a few things you should do if you are seriously considering going back to work or starting a new job (from home) after having a baby.
Flexible Schedule
Our baby girl has been on a pretty consistent schedule since she was around 2.5 months old. She takes two morning naps and one or two in the afternoon. She is happier in the morning and much needier and fussy as the day progresses.
I highly recommend trying to get your baby on some sort of a predictable “schedule” (like Moms On Call suggests) so you can plan around nap times for conference calls. I pre-warn you to say some days your little one may refuse a nap and other days they may be like clockwork. It’s unpredictable just like new meetings pop-up on your schedule. Discuss with your boss about the ability to work in the morning and then maybe working in the evenings when your baby has gone to bed or when your spouse can help watch them. Every day is an adventure. It can be VERY frustrated when you are being pulled in two directions. Some days you may be doing good to get anything done at work and other days you will be doing good to babble with your little one or curl up for a nap. Hang in there! It’s not for the faint of heart.
2. Set Up a Baby-Friendly Office
Bouncy activity gym, a play mat with toys, a tummy time space with toys, an excersaucer and anything that can help entertain your little one is nice to have in your office space. Keep in mind that with all those fun things in her office, my daughter loves to hold my ear phone cords and stare at my computer screen. Lovely, right?
Another great thing to have is a baby carrier. She loves to sit close to me and it allows my hands to be free. We have the Ergobaby 360 (allows babies to face outward) and she loves it! I can type and stand at my kitchen bar to get some work done during those awake periods or when she is refusing a nap.
3. Schedule a Call on a Walk
If you have a meeting that doesn’t require you to be in front of your computer, perhaps you can put your baby in the stroller, attached your earphones to your cell phone and take a walk outside. This will allow you to keep your little one calm and occupied while you get some work done.
Here I had a few webinars I needed to watch. My daughter loves to be outside and she loves to be pushed in a stroller. This was a great way to keep her occupied and allowed me some time to focus.
4. Schedule Time on your Calendar for a Break
Before I had Brooke, I was adamant about taking a lunch break. Working from home can easily distract you from a normal work day and cause you to sit at a desk all day and not take time to take care of yourself. Sometimes your brain just needs a break from all the emails.
Now that I am back to work, I still have those scheduled hour lunch breaks on my calendar. During this time, I take a break. Get up, stretch, play with her, walk outside and grab some lunch. It prevents co-workers from scheduling meetings during that time too.
I also recommend putting “place holders” or “fake meetings” on your calendar during your baby’s awake time. This will allow you time to get up, move around, change diapers, play with them and prevent others from scheduling back to back calls. It has helped me tremendously!
5. Take Advantage of Nap Time
Nap time is the golden hour of when I need to be 100% focused on work. I attempt to schedule my important client calls during the times I know she will be asleep. It is the only way I can focus and actually get work done. Thank God for nap time!!
A thing that I have found helpful is to put your baby in the crib for naps. If they wake up and you are still on that call, it is okay to let them cry for a bit until you are finished. Sometimes babies have to cry and as long as they are in a safe space, that is okay.
Working from home while caring for a baby is the job of a super hero or a very flexible work environment. We already know moms are super heros, so be sure to be upfront with your boss that your kid is at home. It will make it a bit more manageable!
Wrightsville Beach offers a lot of fun kid-friendly activities. If you like being outside, don’t mind a walk in the sand and are willing to pay for parking (~$3/hr | March 1 to October 31 from 9am to 7pm (with some enforced 9am – 8pm) then I recommend heading to the famous “Mailbox“.
Parking: Park in Public Beach Access # 2 (located next to Shell Island Resort)
Restrooms and a foot washing station are both available.
Stroller Friendly: No
Points of Interest:
“The Wrightsville Beach Mailbox” has been a hidden gem on this stretch of the beach for many years. In 2003, locals Bernie and Sidney Nykanen placed a mailbox at their favorite spot on the North End of WB facing Figure 8 Island. They placed pens and a notebook in the mailbox to allow its’ visitors a spot to write down scriptures, favorite quotes, prayers, love letters or just a simple message. When I moved here in 2010, I remember walking the sandy mile walk with my new friends to this famous mailbox. We would write our names in the wrinkled, half soaked pages and take time to read what others had written. It’s always been a fun adventure. In 2018, during Hurricane Florence the mailbox was moved along with the many notebooks collected over the years to the Wrightsville Beach Museum. A new mailbox is now located in front of Shell Island Resort for a more prominent location for beach goers to access (the old location is now roped off for a bird sanctuary). Visit the mailbox with your kids and leave a note or message for someone else to discover.
View Figure Eight Island: Continue walking toward the North of the island, where on a clear day, you can glimpse over at the exclusive Figure Eight Island community. Only accessible by boat or over the private bridge, these million dollar homes are always impressive to see.
Dip in the water: During high-tide, a nice natural pool forms at the very tip of the island. Although the water is calm at this specific point, I don’t recommend allowing children to swim in the ocean (where waves appear) as the tides can be very strong and no lifeguards are on duty in this area.
Have fun and go enjoy the North End! One of my favorite places on Wrightsville Beach.
Alright mama, here are the items that you will want once you get back home from the hospital. The next few weeks are a bit like being a walking zombie and if you are breastfeeding, then you may also feel like a cow. I remember my husband holding Brooke for 10 minutes and the moment she started the whine, he would freeze and say “Amanda, I think she’s hungry”. Thinking to myself, “she just ate”, I’d go and pick her up. Good times y’all.
Squirt Bottle – This little bottle came home with me from the hospital. I know the Mama Frida company sales one also, but this one worked just fine. Basically, when you deliver a baby vaginally, you are in pain and warm water is about the only way to “wipe” after you go to the bathroom.
Colace – Stool Softener because you want things to flow nicely if you know what I’m saying. This is the same stuff the nurses in Mother/Baby gave me after delivery and they tell you to continue taking it once you get home. (Amazon~$15)
3. Dermoplast – This stuff is wonderful and it helps with the pain. You just spray after you go to the bathroom. This is another product the hospital had in my room, but I’m glad I went ahead and purchased another bottle for home. (Amazon~$7)
4. Pads – Again, I brought home a good amount of pads from the hospital; however, the ones the hospital had were HUGE. Like from my very front to literally my back. Haha! These Always Pads are a bit more “fitted” and have the wings which helps them fit to your undies. Also, I don’t know if they sell them, but the hospital also had some ice pack type pads. I wish I would have taken more of those home because they were the best to help reduce swelling and they just felt nice. I’m sure recovery is different for everyone, but I think I used these for about 1 week and half once I got home. (Amazon~$9)
5. Tucks – These are circular medicated pads with witch hazel that the hospital also gives you. You place them on your pad and they absorb onto your skin to help reduce the pain and any urge to itch while your lady bits heal. I had bought them for home as well. (Amazon~$7)
6. Olly Prenatal Vitamins – (Amazon~$9) – So, I’m not the best at taking huge horse pills, so the chewable Prenatal Vitamins were the way to go for me. My husband was actually jealous of my daily “candy”. ha! My OB encouraged me to keep taking these for the benefit of my healing body, as well as for my baby since I was breastfeeding. I went ahead and purchased a few bottles since I knew I’d be taking them.
If you are planning to breastfeed, I’d also recommend:
7. Mama Earth Nipple Butter – Alright mama, I wish someone would have warned me that breastfeeding isn’t always easy (especially with a preterm baby) and that my nipples would hurt for the first two weeks or so until we both got the hang of it. I read a lot about latch and positions before she was born, but really you just have to wait until your babe arrives to “practice” since really it takes both of you. If your nipples crack or feel chapped, I was told to put some breastmilk on them and let it dry. That helps! This Nipple Butter also helped soothe my sore nipples since I was nursing around the clock. (Amazon ~$12)
8. Bamboobies – I didn’t realize that once my milk came in, I’d wake up in the middle of the night with milk soaked sheets. Or during the day, I’d have to change my bra because it would be soaking wet. These were so soft, didn’t fold down like the disposables and are reusable. Win/win! Pop them in the washing machine and keep using them. I stopped “leaking” around 3 months. (Amazon~$12)
9. Nursing Bras and Camis – Your boobs are going to be huge and you need easy access to them if nursing. I found these bras on Amazon that I really like. They are stretchy, adjustable and easy to snap and unsnap with one hand. Three colors and they are comfortable. (Amazon~$30)
Motherhood Maternity actually has the best nursing camis. I have them in a few colors and like them because I can throw a cardigan on and look like I’m in normal clothes – no nursing clothing required. They have several colors to choose from and sometimes the Motherhood Maternity online store puts them on sale. They are very soft and the little clip is easy to use one-handed. (Amazon~$25)
10. Haaka – I wasn’t really sure why I needed one of these, but I was told by every single mom I knew to get one. I’m not exactly sure why it’s called a “haaka”, but it definitely saves some milk that would have otherwise gone into my bra. Basically, what you do is turn the top inside outwards and suction it to the boob that your baby isn’t eating on. It collects the milk and you can either put it in a freezer stash or put it in the fridge to feed your baby a bottle later on. (Amazon~$20)
It takes your body some time to heal after having a baby, so don’t forget to give yourself grace! It’s easy when you are running off of little sleep to get frustrated, even if your baby is super cute, so if you are feeling overwhelmed, pass your baby to your spouse or lay him/her down and cry – give yourself a break. That first month is really the toughest. At least it was for me.
My baby girl Brooke was born 4 weeks early (at 36 weeks). She was considered a “late preterm baby” and even though she looked like a full term baby, her body still needed some time to catch up on developing and growing. In addition, since she was born early, I had to hurry and get my milk supply in and up. The lactation consultant had me on a pretty tough schedule. Every 3 hours I would:
Breastfeed her – while constantly trying to keep her awake, latched and in position (~15min)
Pump – until no more milk was coming out (~20 min)
Syringe feed her- supplement breastmilk or formula (about 10 ml) – my husband helped with this too, which was great! (~20 min)
So every 3 hours, I had to do these 3 steps. Sometimes the process took almost 2 hours to complete and then it was time to do it again. Girl, that 3AM shift was the worst for me. My husband was back to his full time job and needed sleep, and I was having to wake my sleeping baby up to do my regimen. I swear I fell asleep one night pumping. haha! I was running off of very little sleep and doing my best to get her back to birth weight, which was 6 pounds. At the 2 weeks mark, we reached 6 lbs and I could now feed her when she was hungry. Yay!
I tell you all of this because it was a surprise to me. I knew it would be rough, but I didn’t know how rough. I was the only one who could feed her and it was easy to not take care of myself. Try to take a shower and take it easy!
I also recommend while pregnant to:
Make freezer meals that you can quickly heat-up for dinner
Make “lactation bites” or energy bites (great recipes on Pinterest) – freeze them in batches so you can just pull more out to have for quick snacks
Make smoothie bags – freeze 1 banana + 4 frozen cubes of vanilla yogurt + frozen fruit (great ideas on Pinterest)
