Gestational diabetes, anyone?

[mommyin10]

Well, it's always one hurdle after another & I found out today that I have gestational diabetes. I'm waiting for a call from the dietician re: diet, meds, etc. Because I'm on strict bedrest, I won't be able to exercise, so may be taking insulin or other meds.... Pre-pregnancy I was hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), so it surprises me that I could go all the way to the opposite end of the spectrum, but I'm not really concerned about me. I'm wondering what effects this could have on my babies, if anyone knows. I'll do whatever I need to & I'm hoping that by getting my diet under control, they'll be perfectly fine ;)

[chinesebones]

Hi, I also had hypoglycemia before pregnancy and then developed GD.  I wasn't on bedrest but was working feverishly to get as much done as possible before taking leave so I didn't get a lot of exercise.  I managed my sugars with diet alone, but it took some experimenting- some things I was told were ok raised my sugars; some things that should have, didn't.  I got pretty sick of eggs and yogurt and missed pizza dreadfully, but it was all worth it to protect my dd.  I was afraid of needles before then, but now- not so much!  The weekly NSTs were wonderful- I'd relax and cherish every heartbeat and rustle.  I was induced at 39w 6d because my midwives wouldn't let me go past term because of their concern that the placenta would break down earlier than usual, although afterwards they commented on how healthy it looked.  My daughter was 9lbs 5oz, but I don't think that had anything to do with GD- my husband is 6'5" and she takes after him. She had no problems with blood sugar.  I'm back to being hypoglycemic :-)

[melimeli]

I had to do insulin with my second dd.. it was fine..   but with this one I had no GD at all I couldn't believe them and asked for the 3 hour test. passed didn't believe them and asked for the machine to check my blood sugar.. well I never got it.. hmmm wierd.. I had it with first dd too..   anyway I was induced 3 w early with dd #2 had an amnio for lung development and they were ready so I got induced the next day.. my dr said with insulin dependent GD the still rate goes way up in the last 3 weeks... so ask you obgyn about that...   also got NST twice a week every week.. good luck

[JourneyJoJo]

I was recently diagnosed with GD.  I tried controlling it with diet, but my numbers were still slightly high so I started insulin this week.  It's not a big deal and if you've done fertility injections, then it's like the pen.  The way I see it, I take thyroid pills to boost my thyroid so now I take insulin to boost my insulin production.  The body needs to produce 3X as much insulin in pregnancy which is why it is so prevalaent.  The risk to the baby comes with untreated GD and includes higher birth weight and hence higher risk of c-section and also wonky blood sugar levels for the baby when born.

[mommyin10]

Thanks, ladies :) I had my appt today & now have a meal plan or guideline, plus I'll test my blood four times/day, including a fasting test every morning & I'll log everything I eat. It seems very easy & I'm happy to have a gameplan ;) Plus, being at home on bedrest will be easier than being out around temptations :) So far, I'm not using insulin, but I'm not worried if I do. Having been thru IVF, I feel like, what's one more injection?! haha  Thanks again for your help!

[Super_sally888]

I did the pen too.  Humulin.  Really easy.  Much easier than having to be so totally obsessed with diet and exercise.

[oceanv]

Hi,

Same here as Super_sally888, except my babe was 5lbs12.5oz at birth (37w1d) and did fine, she's now in the 50 percentile for her age. Insulin injections are easy (I did the pen though), I did injections from 16 weeks

Take it easy,
Joanne

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

I was on insulin from about 3 months.  To tell the truth, insulin was such a relief after I was unable to keep my bs where it should be with just diet and exercise.  They are a lot more strict with bs control during pregnancy than with non diabetics.  My target was 95 fasting and 120 2 hours after meals.

Injecting insulin is a breeze, if you have to do it.  the only issue is making sure you eat soon after injecting.  I didn't at 1 point (got distracted and didn't get to food in time) and collapsed.  But don't let that scare you, it is all completely manageable.

Test, test, test.  It is all worth it.  My baby was born at 38 weeks weighing 7 lb 2 oz and is perfectly normal.

You can ask me any questions you need.

[mommyin10]

Thanks for your input, ladies :) I now have an appt with the nutritionist tomorrow afternoon.  I'm wondering if being pregnant with twins has any effect??

Ecologic: Yeah, sounds like my pre-pregnancy diet. With hypoglycemia, the South Beach diet kept my blood sugar level regular & I ate small meals/snacks throughout the day. Too bad I didn't stick with it ;) Goid luck with your follow up. It's interesting how many ways pregnancy can affect us ;)

adgal: All I'm concerned about is the health of my babies, so that's good to hear. I'm already on bedrest due to threatened preterm labor & I'll be 28 weeks on Thurs, so I'm getting there ;) but expect them early.

Tricia: I've been on strict bedrest since 25 weeks. It was modified before that. You're very close to having your baby. That's great! Good luck with your follow-up & thanks for the info.

[adgal]

I haven't had to deal with this personally, but we have had a number of members that have.  I can tell you that in every single case (and I do mean without exception) since I have been a regular here (over 2 years now) everything has turned out fine.  Some of the women had to be treated with insulin, others were able to be diet controlled, but all of those babies were born healthy.  Knowing you have it is the key and of course following Dr.'s orders.  A few of the babies were born early, but not dangerously so.  I hope that helps a bit.  

[tricia448]

this is my 3rd child and the first time diagnosed. i have been on complete bedrest since 23 weeks. so exercise is out for me as well. i saw a diabetic nutritionist and went over the proper way to control it by checking sugar levels and special diet. unfortunately controlling my food wasnt good enough...my levels remained high. i was put on glyburide 2x daily. each week they kept upping my dosage. last week i was told if the medication didnt help i would need to start insulin. so we shall see next week.
i was told it effects the size of the baby...and also the lung development. also babys that are born to moms of GD can to be born with their sugar levels off and may need to be monitored and treated in NICU. but DEFINATELY TREATIBLE!
i am 35 weeks and my baby is supposedly 7lbs 8oz...i had ultrasound yesterday.

[Ecologic]

I meant several small meals - and snacks.

[Ecologic]

No: I have the opposite diagnostics: I went from pre-diabetics to normal! I had been diagnosed at age 25 with the 3/4 hours glucose test, I was super fit at the time but had a lot of hypoglycemia crises. I recently did the 1 hour glucose test  (at 16 weeks I think) and it came back normal, I still don't understand that result. I am supposed to have an other glucose test later, we'll see.

The effect with gestational diabetes can be (I believe) big babies and babies that come out before their due date. It is really important to eat slow sugars and to have several meals a day.