I went to the doctor yesterday for an extended battery of tests/shots. I had failed my initial glucose screening and had to go back in for the three-hour test to see if had gestational diabetes.
Those of you who have been following my progress may know that one of the main reasons I began my weight-loss journey in the first place was to be able to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. One of my main fears was gestational diabetes. So, when I failed my initial screening, I was bummed.
That first screening, combined with the scale topping 200 a few days before made me realize the pregnancy eating "feastival" had to come to an end. I set myself a goal that by my next appointment, I would not have gained more than a pound and that my blood sugar would be steady.
I am happy to report that I achieved my first mini-goal: my weight stayed the same and my sugar was excellent (not even borderline.) I am REALLY relieved. Having gestational diabetes will make my child prone to obesity her whole life. How could I let that happen when I know what it's been like?
It's really a huge emotional burden to now know that my food choices don't affect just me. This will continue after she if born, of course. I talked to DH last night about training her taste buds. I read that the less sweetened foods she eats at first, the better. One book I read says that babies should be fed things like plain yogurt, which you can add fruit to. It said that the more tart or bitter foods she's exposed to, the more likely she is to like vegetables later. I expressed to him how important it is that for the first couple of years, she not even taste any pre-sweetened foods or fast food while she is developing her palate. (We'll make an exception for birthday cake, of course!)
I also hinted to him that he can't eat junk food in front of our child and expect her to understand why she can't have it. Hiding things like ice cream and cookies is easy. But what about when he's eating frozen pizza for dinner while Baby and I are having brown rice and fish? I don't want to punish him, but I really feel he's going to have to indulge in all junk outside of the house, which allows him anything he wants for lunch. Does that seem fair to you all?
I read that babies will not like everything you feed them, of course. However, they can develop a healthier palate based on what parents feed them from day one. I'm going to do my best to get her started in the right direction.
*By the way, check out our latest baby pic in the gallery.
Posted By: ashleyb
Comments to this post:
01/15/2008 11:10
Im glad you passed!
While I am not pregnant, I have had many of the same thoughts and worries about pregnancy and "training" Tastebuds of my as-of-now hypothetical baby. I cannot for the life of me remember where I read it, but I clearly remember reading that babyfood companies add sugar---and SALT to their products in order to get babies hooked from the very begining, and I cannot tell you how horrible and wrong I think that is.
I think it's great that you are thinking about these things now, and having conversations with your husband about them too. The setting a good example issue is something I have thought alot about too, as I have a husband whose eating habits are less than steller. I hope your H can see that setting a good example for your daughter will benifit everyone in the end, rather than it being a punishment for him.
Good for you for rreigning the food festival in and taking care of you and baby. I can really see how getting pregnant can feel like a licence to eat anything anytime!
Glad you passed the diabetes test. When I had it, I had to take my blood sugar four or five times a day AND give myself two injections of insulin per day. NO FUN!
Yeah, I always try to check out the nutrition info before I eat something. I know the nutrition level of Sonic is terrible, but it was a treat. And it did fit into my calorie level for the day. But, crap in = crap out. Oh, that was gross sounding. You know what I mean.
Hey girl - It's nice to see a pic of the inside of your tummy. HAHA Just kidding! I am so happy for you! Wow, you bring up great points about the food and DH. I have been doing this thing and for the most part, DH still eats his junk. He still has it in the house and for the most part I can ignore it. But - could a child? Will he feed the little squirt cheetos? Hmmm.. Points to ponder. :-) Try not to stress too much. We ate sweets and we are normal aren't we?
How is teaching and being pregnant? Do you view your students differently know that you will have your own? I often wonder about that for my future self. Is that fatigue better?
Got your message... we'll have to get together again soon!
I've got to tell you... our clutter was moving from room to room like cattle. It dwindles with each move to another room, and I figure by the time it comes full circle, we'll have weeded a lot of it out. Just still have so much stuff that doesn't seem to mean anything until I'm holding it in my hand with the decision to toss or keep. those big decisions, ya know.....
I was a little surprised when I clicked the link from my old blog because it said you had posted a new photo. I was expecting a picture of you and it ended up being the sprog! LOL Can we see you from the outside yet? I'd love to see you in one of your maternity tops. (Do people still wear those? The only pregnant people I see around here are teens in skin-tight baby doll T-shirts with their bellies, complete with belly button rings, poking out. Nice!)
Anyway, I admire your resolve where it comes to the family diet, and totally agree that hubby needs to toe the line. I'm surprised because I thought he was on board with you in your healthy eating. It's just so not on for him to still be eating crap. Tell him to sort himself out!
Hopefully he was receptive to the idea that modeling healthy eating for the kid is worth limiting the junk to at-work eating? I have a lot of trouble with DH because he talks the talk but then he'll order us take-out when I ask him to do dinner.
The picture of your innards (and the baby) is amazing, but I'll add my voice to Tawa's request for a picture of your outside! I'm sure you look fabulous.
hang in there w/ all this pregnancy stuff. my last was all bed rest and first time "all day sickness" right into a early birth, c-section, hospital transfer, and 10 days in the premie unit. but w/ all said and done... he is beautiful and healthy....we were healthy... so keep focused like you are on health first and take it one day at a time... the end product..that beautiful baby will make everything previous a blurr..=) congrats on that baby girl.. my girl was my first and all though i have two great sons and awesome relationships, my daughter at 22 is like my best friend and i've over heard her tell her friends that i am here best friend too and there is nothing that makes you feel so special especially when the other girls are bashing their mothers... not to meantion she has always been a girly girl...=) pink ribbons and bows.
So glad that you passed your glucose screening. I think I'm only person in the world that wasn't grossed out by the "orange soda". LOL!
Good luck getting dh on board. I live with a junkfood junkie and I haven't been able to convert him, but my kids did eat healthy(the first one the healthiest), until they were about 4ish and then all veggies made them gag. LOL! Funny creatures these kids are. Just when you think you've got it, they throw you a curve ball.
