gestational diabetes.....

[Lizzie_Campos]

   Been hearing gd can maybe cause me to be induced or even have a c section if baby gets too big....is it true? And how most likely is it to happen? I don't want to be induced or have a c section so I'm freaking out!!

[Candy_T]

Hmmm, this is good to know. I have so many questions to ask tomorrow, lol. Thanks jjandrsmom. :)

[jjandrsmom]

Jaci my dr has said exactly what yours has said.   I went 3 weeks without almost 6 weeks without needing meds.  It sounds like you will be put on medicine.   My highest fasting was 181 and my highest 2 hrs after a meal was 239.  The lowest my sugar has ever been was 88.  I am 36 weeks and 2 days.

Candy - my dr didn't fret if I had one or 2 high sugars.  He said he looked at the big picture.  If a had more high fasting than not, its a problem.   The same for after meals.

My targets are: fasting: less than 95;  2 hrs after a meal:  less than 120.  

[Candy_T]

Jaci, I'm not sure who you are asking but I'm 32+2. I have my first NST tomorrow afternoon to see how baby is doing. They want my fasting reading between 70-90 (told me that 60 was dangerous) and my after meal readings to be no higher than 120. This week, there was one high day (137 two days ago) so I've been keeping notes on what I've eaten that triggered my sugar levels. My highest fasting reading was 103. I have the pills but I plan to speak with a Dr before taking them because the nurse told me to take one pill after my last snack but the pharmacist said I'm supposed to take the pill twice a day with food. I just need better clarification. :/

[Jaci1024]

How far along are you?

[Jaci1024]

29 weeks and just got diagnosed. I was given a monitor to check my levels 4 times a day. I have to do this for the rest of the pregnancy. However, before putting me on medication they are giving me a week to see exactly what my levels are. My fasting level was 132 after lunch it was 182. They want it to be anywhere from 70-95. They are having me come in 2 times a week now. Once for them to monitor the stress level of baby and to check to see if their is protein in my urine to make sure I am not starting Preeclampsia.(apparently if you have GD you are more at risk for preeclampsia) They also send you to get the ultra sound to measure the baby's growth (To make sure it isn't to big). If I go into preterm labor which is common with GD they will give steroids to help develop the baby's lungs to they are mature and they can do a c-section. I am in the same exact boat as you! This just happened to me today. My ultra sound will be on Monday and my next doc appointment will be on Tuesday. How far along are you?

[jjandrsmom]

I hope everything works out for you and your baby.  It is definitely a lot to take in.

[jjandrsmom]

Baby is fine so far.  I do nst 2 times a week and see the dr weekly.  She is measuring a little more than 2 weeks ahead.   I am only 1 cm dialted and my cervix is starting to thin.  Hopefully she will come soon.  I feel like I have not been able to enjoy this pregnancy because of the health issues.

[ireloc]

Diabetes can cause a baby to be larger or smaller. You just need to pay more attention to not only sugar but carbs as well. Whole grain bread/pasta is better than white or enriched if you eat it.

[NewMom85]

I also was diagnosed with it and it freaked me out. I have completely controlled my sugar levels and they said with diet I have done great. But today (33w 5d) I went in for my weekly ultrasound due to the diabetes and they said I had excess amniotic fluid and if it doesn't go down by next week they are going to induce me. I still have not absorbed this information since it's so new but I was never told this was a risk. My doctors were surprised though because of my good sugar levels.

[Candy_T]

Omgoodness jjandrsmom, my fast readings weren't that high but like you, I would tell them to induce me as well. How is your baby doing? I start the NST tomorrow.

[jjandrsmom]

I was having high fasting numbers too like anywhere from 140 - 160.  I was put on glyburide before dinner.  A week later it wasn't doing enough. So my dr added aanother dose.  Last Friday my fasting numbers were still high so he added another pill before dinner.  Monday I went to er because I was having contractions 5 minutes apart.   That dr seemed to think I should be on insulin.   Im scared.  I feel like I am far enough along and in 3 days I will be 37 weeks.   I feel like just induce me.  Im not a fan of induction but at this point i am full term.   I worry about the hypoglycemia too.  Its definitely scary.  

[Candy_T]

I freaked out as well, thinking I was a bad mom. I didn't see the specialist until a week later after being diagnosed. I hated not knowing what/what not to do. Finally got some information, but I'm still in the dark (hopefully until tomorrow). I just started the glucometer reading last week and my fasting readings were a little high (only been 4 days and only two days were high) so they were quick to shove pills down my throat. What determines when an alternative course of treatment should be utilized? Shouldn't there be a time frame on the first course of action or am I being ignorant to the importance of lowering my sugar? These are a couple of questions I'm going to ask because I'm constantly being told that the pills pose the risk of hypoglycemia. It's scary. Sorry, for some reason, this is a touchy subject for me. I just want my little man to be OK. :(

[jjandrsmom]

I have gestational diabetes and up until 3 weeks ago I was able to control my sugar levels with diet and exercise.   I was diagnosed with gd at 28 weeks and I am almost 37 weeks.   I am on medicine for it.  I balled my eyes out because I feel like a failure.   They reassured me that sometimes its the person not doing what they should,  but in my case its different.  I am being induced at 39 weeks.   Im hoping I go into labor on my own.   No c section unless my baby has a massive growth spurt.  

[megmegcleve]

Sounds like you need to hurry your doctor up! I see a perinatologist as well as the OB, that's usually the specialist you will see for GD. They will be the ones to prescribe you insulin pills or shots depending on how bad you have it. Besides staying away from sugary things also stay away from a lot of carbs, cause carbs turn into glucose (sugar). You still need to eat some carbs just don't eat a lot. You also have to watch natural sugars like fruit and juices. Unfortunately it blows but when you get a hold of controlling it, it gets easier I promise.

[Lizzie_Campos]

I'm still waiting for my referral to see the specialist and its been two weeks that's what worries me. I didn't get any special diet plan from my doctor but I have been watching what I eat and am staying away from sugary stuff. Just want them (doctors) too hurry up and help me take care of this. Thank you ladies

[megmegcleve]

I have type 2 diabetes my whole pregnancy and my baby will be almost 9lbs if I make it to 39 weeks. I'm having a c-section but it's because of a previous c-section and a hernia operation I had, nothing to do with me having diabetes. If you have GD it will, no matter what, cause your baby to be bigger cause the extra insulin you create leaks through the placenta which causes baby's heart to thicken, which causes them to grow faster. Their body not their organs. So they still have to stay in until full term. This will happen no matter what because it's very hard to control your sugars while pregnant an according to my fetal cardiologist, if their isn't some thicken in baby's heart then you were diagnosed wrong. As long as you watch your sugars and stick to the diet you are given, your baby will be just fine. On the larger side but just fine.  Also if you have a hard time controlling your sugar levels talk to the doctor ASAP cause they will be able to start you on meds or adjust them accordingly. If they do so happen to have to induce you or give you a c-section, it'll be what's best and what's safest for you and baby, so just research what might happen and try not to worry about it until that time comes. No use in worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet. That's not good for you or baby. :)

[KieaRai]

Keep your sugars level and you'll be fine. The only ones who end up induced or with c sections usually are the ones who completely ignore the diet plan and instructions so their sugars and blood pressure get super high and stay that way. Gd is nothing to worry about as long as you get over the whole food issue. A lot of women complain about not being able to eat what they want.... you actually can as long as it's in way smaller portions and it's not all the time. A brownie a week isn't going to cause you cause you any harm but if you're chowing down every day you'll hurt yourself and the baby. You mostly have to remember that no matter how hungry you get, you are not eating for two. The only extra you need is an extra baked potato each day in the third trimester. Everything else is a mind over matter issue. Listen to your doc and dietitian.  They're a big help when it comes to keeping yourself level.

[Bigapplefamily]

Well probably, if left untreated but treated, the condition is very manageable. Just follow your drs orders!