Gestational diabetes

[sammipher]

I was wondering if anyone else on here has been diagnosed with this during their pregnancy..now or in the past. I have...I have to admit I am pretty scared. I just found out this week. I took two glucose tests and failed both...fasted on both to. They assured me that I had nothing to worry about with the baby that she may be a big baby because of it..that was my main concern...but, the more I read on the internet the more worried I get. I have a history in my family of diabetes..esp. on my fathers side...my father is in poor health due to diabetes and my mom just found out last wed. that she is also diabetic..so I read on the diabetes site that sometimes you can have diabetes and it comes out during pregnancy..or sometimes its just the gestational type. My main questions are:
1. How did you handle having it?
2. Did it go away after birth?
3. How was your baby? c-section?
4. Years later did you develop diabetes?
Sorry for all the questions..my docs are setting me up with classes and such...I am just curious how others experiences were with this..because of my dad you can see why I am weary. Between this and my anemia my energy level is blah...I cant help but to worry..I knew better than to look anything up on the internet..you cant believe everything you read...I think I caused more harm than good.

 

[andiesmama]

It's scary, I know!! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes as well (and by the way, didn't you just HATE the "yummy" orange drink?? )

And as you know, Andie turned out fine and so am I! lol

My doctor just gave me guidelines of what I should & shouldn't eat so I followed that (well, for the most part unless my cravings would kick in uncontrollably!!)

To be honest, I haven't been tested to see if it's went away... , but my GYN said that with my history it's "unlikely" that it would return...it's something I've been meaning to do but never got around to!

Andie wasn't born big....I had pre-eclampsia which resulted in a low birth weight for her...but she's totally healthy & normal almost-3-year old!!

It's fairly common, your OB will monitor you closely, and if you follow the diet you really don't have anything to worry about, so try not to stress too much!! Because of your family history, I'm sure they'll keep a close eye on you after you deliver as well....

s & s for you!!

 

[Neenie1]

Hmmm, I am not sure if I have it or don't.


At my last ob appointment I had glucose in my urine, which is a sign there could be a problem, but there might not be.

I had the glucose drink test on Saturday, so don't know the results yet. The ob said he would ring me if they indicate a problem. Just praying that they don't

Also, I am wanting to try for a VBAC and am wondering if I have a problem with diabetes then it might be a bad idea to have VBAC. It is still early days for me, in this, I don't know anything, so am just praying it's going to be alright.

I am 26 weeks, and due July 15.

 

[Hisrosebud]

Hello

I wanted to reply to your post. I had three children. With the first two I failed the first glucose test but passed the second. No gestational diabetes. First son born 9Lbs 12oz (vaginal delivery) the second son 7.5 lbs (also natural).

My last pregnancy was my daughter. Gestational diabetes! Tried the diet FAITHFULLY and it did not work. I had to go on insulin. It was awful but it kept my sugar under control. Her birthweight was a little more than my second son by ounces. It worked! She was my only c-section but that is because she went breech at 42 weeks gestation and not due to the gestational diabetes.


First, gestational diabetes is almost a different disorder than diabetes. It is a reaction in the placenta and not your pancreas. Once you deliver, almost always your sugars will go back to normal. I had an endocrinologist while I was pregant; he came to the hospital after her birth to visit me. Her sugars were checked and mine.

Diabetes runs in my family too. I am told that gestational diabetes can be (but not always) a sign that you may get it later in life. I know people who have not gotten it later, others who have and so on. Everyone's body is different and everyone takes care of themselves differently.

As far as my daughter; totally healthy; totally willful (she's 2 this May); totally hysterically funny and so on.

I was told that I should nurse her for 2 years. I read a new study that showed children who were breast fed for 2 years had less chance to develop diabetes in their adulthood. So I am nursing her longer than the other boys just in case it is true.

My advice to you is to follow the doctor's orders regarding diet or insulin. That is your safest route and your child's. There is so much new equipment and information today about gestational diabetes that if you follow it you will be alright.

Eat those 6 small meals a day and keep your sugars regulated. It is a headache especially with cravings but you will do well if you follow it. Try to walk every other day, exercise helps regulate your sugars.

If you do that, try not to worry. Enjoy your pregnancy, before you know it, it will be over.

and oh, if you are overweight; NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO LOOSE ANY WEIGHT EVEN WITH DIABETES.

I hope this helps you some.

Email me direct if you want if you have any specific or personal questions,

Jane

 

[Hisrosebud]

and oh, they do recommend that after having gestational diabetes that you get your blood tested every year for diabetes. The hospitals in my state automatically test the mother and the infant at the hospital for diabetes if they were gestational diabetic.

jane

 

[Hisrosebud]

..I knew better than to look anything up on the internet..you cant believe everything you read...

if I can post just one more time; I know what you mean. More than one time I have driven myself nuts by researching medical information on the internet. We just want to know. . . . the truth is not only is everything on the internet not necessarily true; often the worst case scenarios are posted. I have known quite a few women with gestational diabetes-- maybe the testing now a days is better-- we all did ok and our babies are all fine.

Jane

 

[sammipher]

THANK YOU ALL!!!! For helping me...all posts were very uplifting for me...I dont know anyone who has had gestational diabetes so I had no idea what to expect or anything...I see my doc in about a week...I took two tests-failed both..and only got to talk to a nurse really quick at the lab cause they had other patients...all I've known is just reg. diabetes..so of course it just scared me....of course she went over the basics..lets do a third test, hook you up with some classes, cut back on sugar and what kind of artificial sweeteners to use...which they highly recommend splenda, and to check my blood daily. Of course I have did all this..my sugar is still high..I have went to diet drinks, sugar free drinks..basically I have cut down my sugar intake tremendously..and my sugar is still out of wack...I have been checking it three times a day...this morning it was over 100 and I didnt even eat anything since like supper the night before...I worry most for the baby...So I really appreciate all your posts...it lets me see that others have had it and their babies were fine and it went away...in the mean time I have decided I can't dwell on it..I will worry myself to death...this will let me better my diet to include alot more healthy foods that hopefully I can pass down good eating habits to lilly...and hubby has been real supportive and getting into the swing of things by eating sugar free and drinking diet cause he doesnt want to tempt me and feels its unfair to drink a real coke in front of me cause he knows how I enjoy them He also has been checking his sugar with mine so I can base mine on his to see the difference between normal..and not normal..mine usually runs about thirty or so above his...you can see the difference...I have to give him lots of credit for pricking his finger when he doesnt have to..he knows I hate needles..so I guess if I hurt so does he...lol. So if we can take one thing and turn it into good from this it can be better eating habits...I pray to the Lord it goes away when she is born and that she is born healthy..which so far she is healthy... this has def. scared me into wanting to live a more healthier life so I can be around for her for a long long time.
Thank you all again...btw I have also stayed clear of internet sites til I see my reg obgyn..lol...I tell you pregnancy is just a roller coaster ride..before I was dealing with anemia ...now this...I have def. learned alot from this pregnancy...hopefully it will make me more aware with things on my next pregnancy...things want seem as scary I think then..things are always the most scariest when they happen to you the first time.

 

[sammipher]

It's scary, I know!! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes as well (and by the way, didn't you just HATE the "yummy" orange drink?? )

lol..I really did not enjoy that drink and I swear the cup got bigger on the second test. I told the nurses it reminded me of my younger days when I would go to spring break...and your drinking some nasty alcohol drink out of a funnel and everyone is cheering you on.
I told my hubby he might enjoy that drink..its like flat orange soda with lots of sugar..he likes his tea like it is pure syrup.
The baby seems to enjoy in though cause both times she was very active like thirty min later moving all around...guess it was all the sugar.

 

[sammipher]

Hmmm, I am not sure if I have it or don't.


At my last ob appointment I had glucose in my urine, which is a sign there could be a problem, but there might not be.

I had the glucose drink test on Saturday, so don't know the results yet. The ob said he would ring me if they indicate a problem. Just praying that they don't

Also, I am wanting to try for a VBAC and am wondering if I have a problem with diabetes then it might be a bad idea to have VBAC. It is still early days for me, in this, I don't know anything, so am just praying it's going to be alright.

I am 26 weeks, and due July 15.

I will keep you in my prayers...trust me the test is not as bad as it seems when they do it...its like flat orange soda and you have to drink it all in five minutes...wait an hour. I pray you have a healthy and smooth pregnancy and pass your test when you have to take it!!!!!

 

[PurpleBunny]

1. How did you handle having it?
2. Did it go away after birth?
3. How was your baby? c-section?
4. Years later did you develop diabetes?

Well, I am not and have not been pregnant, but diabetes and gestational diabetes run in my mom's side of the family.

Both my mom and my aunt ended up on insulin during their last pregancies. I remember seeing the insulin in the fridge (I was 2 1/2 at the time, it's one of my first memories LOL).

My aunt's GD did not go away after birth and she now has very unstable insulin-dependent diabetes. She wears a monitor and has a continuous injection thing implanted in her skin near her hip. When the insulin in it starts running out she injects some more into the monitor. It is basically an artificial pancreas. Mom's GD went away after birth.

My brother was a C-section as he weighed 11lbs2oz. (I was 10lbs14oz though with no GD so it might just be that big babies run in our family LOL--and I was born naturally, not via c-section). My mom was diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes about seven years ago.

Hope the information helps!

 

[sammipher]

Well..I went back to the doc again today..I was suppose to do yet another glucose drinking test..which would have been my third..I called last week and they said instead I should have been scheduled diabetes classes..but to still fast before I came in to check my sugar and to have all my sugar reading wrote down for the twice a day checking..once in the morning after fasting and once after lunch or supper and hour later...so thats what I did...my fasting sugar this morning was 115 so the doc informed me that I have to come back friday they will do it yet again...which is just the finger prick...and if it is still over 105 they will set me up on insulin or pills...he informed me the pills were new for expecting mothers and that there was chance it could carry over to the baby...where as insulin didnt and has been used for years and years..he felt more comfortable with insulin...so I dont want to risk anything with my child..I have to throw this needlephobia out and take the shots once daily and if my sugar is still whacky...twice a day. They will show me how to do all of that friday and make the dec...I am scared and nervous..but, thankful that it was not left untreated..he informed me that in very rare occ. that gest. diabetes left untreated could result in premature labor, under developed lungs, to stillbirth...which scared me to no end...the good news is that he didnt seem to think this was underlying so the chances of the diabetes going away after birth are great!!! Little tidbit I did not know..was that gest. diabetes is caused by the placenta..it produces a horomone that works against your bodys insulin..which is why most cases go away a couple of days after birth....all and all I am happy to know that lilly should be fine...I will just continue on my diet as I have for the past month, check my sugar daily, and take my shots (if thats what they decide this friday)..otherwise, he doesnt see why I wouldnt carry full term

 

[Neenie1]

Sounds like you are going to be alright.

I don't think I would take the pills either, I think I would go with what they know is OK for the baby, not something that they aren't sure is OK for the baby if you know what I mean.


Also, my glucose test came back OK, I don't have diabetes.

 

[sammipher]

Good going..many 's on that! those tests are awful..you are so blessed...I am glad I dodged the bullet this morning and didnt have to take another one..it would have been my third..with the fasting and having to drink that stuff..and last time I had the three hour test...It litterally makes me nauseated...I did however found out I will have to take another three months after lilly is here..just so they can be sure the diabetes is gone...I know with his grace and prayer the Lord will watch over my child, he want let anything happen to her..that is not meant to happen to her..I can't think of a better person to put my little one's life in the hands of. Insulin does seem like the best choice..I don't really like going for the "new" drugs..I like for them to be out for awhile..let someone else be the guinea pig I was just a little bummed today when I found out...I think us pregnant women have a tendency to over worry about things...I know I do...her health is my #1 priority...then the right type of med..and the needle thing isn't too appealing..along with the strain on the budget for needles and insulin and I have to get more monitoring strips (been borrowing those from my dad)..we are not sure how much our insurence covers..some of our meds have had different co pays in the past...where as 95% of past prescriptions have been are a straight 30.00 co-pay.

 

[kellykelley]

I was gd with Sarah and I expect to be with this one because I am already having problems at 16.5 weeks and I flunked the one hour test at 10 weeks but passed the 2 hour. I wound up having Sarah early anyway and she was 5lb 15 oz at 36 weeks which is normal. Just eat by your diet and try not to loose too much weight and you should be fine. The risk of a too big baby is very small and most of the threats to a baby are for people with undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes at conception not gd. I have several diabetics and gd's in my family too so I knew what to expect but it really threw my hubby for a loop. Also my hospital's policy was to do a sugar test on my dd every hour or two for 24 hours to make sure she was ok. My sugar was under control and our pediatrician overrode the hospital because he was her doctor. It might be helpful to talk to your ped about it too it will save all of you some tears Sarah never had any signs of low blood sugar and my gd was gone as soon as she was born.

KK

 

[kellykelley]

If you are having a hard time controlling your sugars try cutting out white flour, white rice, bananas, pineapple, white potatoes, and of course the sugar. I have cut all of these out and it helps a lot. I still eat whole wheat bread and pasta as well as carbs that arent simple and my life saver is whole milk. It has enough fat and protein to help keep your sugar regulated. As a matter of fact my first official diabetic diet had 9 carbs a day in it and I still had highs and lows so I cut it back to 6 and moved the calories to milk, veggies, and fruit. It fixed it right up.

KK

 

[sammipher]

Praise the Lord they decided that right now since I don't have an avg. blood sugar in the morning of over 105 not to put me on insulin...though they are still worried about my sugar after my meals..it is rather high...they put me on a restricted diet..sent me to diabetic classes and since I have learned to portion my meals..space snacks in between...including my before bedtime snack to keep my sugar level throughout the night...my sugar has not really been that bad...actually on avg. now its only about ten higher than hubbys. I did lose a pound..but, the doc said that it was fine..that she is growing just as she should..she is right on schedule. It amazed me at what I things I actually could have that I would have never imagined and things I thought wouldnt hurt me that actually do..at times I was looking at things backwards..I didnt know about carbs and such...but, after the class I was real informed...they also gave me a book and a diet to follow I have what I can have..how many carbs I am allowed per sitting..and what groups I need to pick it out of..the book is really great on helping me. My fave thing about the diet is I can have fat free milk..which I had stopped drinking all together cause of the sugar...I can have three squares(which is 75% of one sheet) of graham crackers or five nilla wafers with one cup of milk for a snack mid morning...which are my fave and it does satisfy my sweet tooth. Thank you all for the advice...this has really scared me...I thank the Lord that he did give me an opportunity to see where I need to change..my eating habits is one of them..this has made me realize if I keep on I may end up with diabetes since both my parents have it along with an uncle, great grandmother, and cousins. I don't want that hanging over my head..though I may have the gene...with the Lords grace and me doing my part I am pretty sure I may be able to dodge the bullet on this one.