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As the runner-up on the first season of ABC’s reality show, “The Bachelor” and the star of its first sister show “The Bachelorette” Trista Sutter (then Rehn) captured the hearts of America, and a hunky fireman, Ryan Sutter.
One of the few contestants of the hits series to truly find love ever-after long after the final rose ceremony, Sutter appeared to be living out a modern day fairy tale.
The reality princess floated on air when she appeared in the first season of “Dancing With the Stars” and was overjoyed when soon after she became pregnant with the couple’s first child, son Maxwell, now 4. The Sutters also have a daughter, Blakesley, 2.
As if extreme morning, noon and night sickness and back pain weren’t bad enough, Sutter’s first pregnancy took a scary turn in her last trimester.
In her seventh month, Sutter was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy (especially during third trimester).
Doctors say the condition can be quite treatable, especially if a woman has routine prenatal care. Here’s how Sutter kept her chin up, and her blood sugar down during her pregnancy.
The problem: Coping with the shock of the diagnosis
Trista says even though her father and grandmother are diabetics, she never suspected she’d develop gestational diabetes. “I didn’t think for a second I’d be dealing with it during my pregnancy.”
So initially, the shock of the diagnosis led to Sutter having a few ‘pity parties.’
But because that diet also consisted of more protein, grains, beans and veggies than carbs, Sutter couldn’t just pop into just any eatery with pals for a girls’ day out even if schedules were in sync.
Trista’s fix: Instead of trying to fit her meals into pals’ fluctuating schedules, Sutter stuck to her meal schedule whenever possible and saved snacks for times with friends if timing didn’t permit them to gather for lunch.
And because pregnant women with gestational diabetes have to watch what they eat, Sutter suggests phoning ahead to make sure there’s something on the menu that suits your diet and taste buds.
“I always made sure to have protein. That’s because if I started the meal with protein of some kind, whether it was lean steak or chicken, I felt full and was better able to balance the other things like veggies and carbs.”
The problem: Quenching Your Thirst
In some cases, women with gestational diabetes experience excessive thirst as a symptom.
Trista’s fix: “Drink lots of water.”
She says water was really the only thing that truly quenched her thirst. And as an added bonus, it didn’t mess up her blood sugar levels or threaten her weight.
“I stayed far away from sugary drinks like sodas, fruit juices, etc. I would rather use those calories for food.”
The problem: Not gaining too much weight
Morning sickness that spanned more than the typical first trimester, and well into the afternoon and evening limited Sutter’s ability to do a lot of exercising. But since too much weight gain is a concern of women with gestational diabetes, inactivity can lead to excess pounds.
Trista’s fix: Even though she didn’t feel up to her pre-pregnancy exercise routine, or exercise classes designed for pregnant women at park districts and gyms, Sutter says she made sure she was active.
“I went for walks whenever possible to stay healthy for me and my baby.”
If swollen ankles and aching feet are a problem, Sutter says try walking first thing in the morning, when your legs, ankles and feet aren’t apt to be pooped, dragging and puffy.
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