Actually, this is not what I had for breakfast; it’s just some sugar-free peeps hanging out in the morning sunshine. I’ve been checking out the sugar-free selections lately and I just couldn’t resist these, out of shear curiosity. Some products are not meant to be made without sugar, particularly the ones where SUGAR IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT.
So what ingredients do constitute a sugar-free peep? Maltitol, isomalt, polyglycitol syrup, and canuba wax, just to name a few.? My favorite part of the packaging is this lable: EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION MAY CAUSE STOMACH DISCOMFORT AND/OR A MILD LAXATIVE EFFECT. No kidding.
My advice? If you are a “borderline” diabetic like myself and absolutely cannot live without peeps? Get the real ones and eat half a serving (2.5 peeps) it only has 20g of carbs. As for these big fat isomalt-laden peeps? Three of them has 25g of carbs. Don’t ask me how this is possible. We’re talking some advanced biochemical concepts that are WAY beyond my scope of practice.
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So onto the high risk OB…
First of all I tried to call for an appointment. Here’s how that went down:
“The Diabetes nurse can see you next Friday.”
“Sorry, I’m working.”
“How about Wednesday?”
“Working.”
“Can you come in early?”
“I work 7 to 7.”
“How bout the Friday of the following week?”
“Well, at that point I will be halfway between week 37 and 38. Junior could already be here by then.”
When she became aware of the time sensitive nature of the situation she went and conferred with the Doc.
“He said he’ll see you tomorrow. He wants to scan you.”
Oh Boy! One more fun but most likely unnecessary ultrasound! I get to take a peek at junior’s chubby little cheeks before he comes out! Now that’s something to smile about.
So I go in for the ultrasound, and they take what is called a biophysical profile. This means they take a few measurements, look at the amniotic fluid, look for movement, look for diaphragmatic movement (which means the baby is practicing breathing even though he can’t actually have access to air- how freakin cute is that! I just knew he was practicing his moves in there…)
And so the high risk OB looks at the results and pronounces,
“Everything about him looks perfect.”
Lordy, you don’t have to tell me that. I’m his mama. I know he’s perfect.
“And your blood sugar numbers are really just borderline. Not much to worry about at all (GESTATIONAL DIABETES MY ASS) Still, we’ll have you go on the diabetic diet and you’ll have to check your sugars 4 times a day.”
Well folks, I’m now on day 8 and my sugars have yet to surpass 118. (ve tried amping up the sugar, seeing what I can get away with. A few days ago I started by eating an entire grapefruit with 1/4 of a teaspoon of sugar sprinkled on top. Talking about living on the edge. My diet guidelines say that I can have one serving of fruit per day and that must be equal to or smaller than the size of a tennis ball.
Last Sunday my mom threw a shower for me. For dessert I had 1 cupcake, three cookies, and a few M&Ms. checked my blood sugar 2 hours later and it was 118! I celebrated by eating another cupcake.
Today for breakfast I had an ENTIRE bagel (my diabetic diet suggests I only eat 1/2 a bagel) with cream cheese. I have yet to check my blood sugar but when I do, if it is less than 120, I can consider this topic closed for discussion and may even go back to actually blogging about nursing. Maybe.