Gestational Diabetes - Fleming Island,FL

I had GD, and it's not the GD that makes the bigger babies, it's NOT listening to the doc and eating right that makes the bigger babies. I was diagnosed in my 6th month, and my son was delivered vaginally at 7lbs,7oz at birth, and he was a full term baby. I had diet managed GD, and honestly, it went very well. I went to a class to learn about proper nutrition, and just ate differently. What's nice is you can still eat stuff you like, just smaller portions and in a different way.

For example - carbs are what you have to manage (pasta, cookies, all the yummy stuff). So you learn how much of it per serving, and how many servings you can have. If you REALLY want ice cream, maybe you don't have potatoes w/dinner so you can have the ice cream.

Portion size is very important. Eating veggies and protein with carbs to keep your insulin level stable is important. Eating small, frequent meals is important. Your doc should set it up so you can have the nutrition info. And the library is a great resource for recipe books. And, of course, online.

I was thrilled, actually, because I only gained 15lbs during my pregnancy (I was between 10-15 overweight). Sadly, I went back to my pre-GD eating habits so I haven't lost the baby-weight, but I'm trying to re-train myself :)

Good luck! You'll do fine :)

3 moms found this helpful

Follow the diet to a 'T' and you won't have any worries. I was on modified bed rest with G diabetes with my third and my baby weighed 7 lbs 15 oz, same as my first. I delivered 2 days before my estimated due date, so right on schedule. I drank only water, and followed the calorie intake / meal plans given to me. I actually gained no weight my last couple of months, though obviously my baby did. This was after gaining hardly any weight my first part due to having HG. It is manageable. Takes work, but you can do it for your baby. I was a tiny one to gain no weight also, but delivered my perfectly healthy baby!

2 moms found this helpful

I'm sorry you are going through this. I know quite a few women who have. Most have required insulin injections.
The good news is that once the baby is born, the diabetes subsides.
One friend had gestational diabetes with all of her pregnancies. It was easier for her after the first one. She had scheduled c-sections and perfectly healthy babies.

Just take good care of yourself. Your OB no doubt has plenty of experience with this.
Look on the bright side too......you only have 8 weeks to deal with this.
Some deal with it the entire pregnancy.

Try not to worry. It's not good for you or your baby.

Be sure to let us know when your baby arrives!!!!!

Best wishes.

2 moms found this helpful

I had this with both pregnancies - with the first I was on insulin, the second was undiagnosed, but baby was hypoglycemic at birth. Both my kids were 3 weeks early! The first was only 6lbs 8oz (I watched my diet very carefully and gained a minimal amount of weight) - the second was 9lbs 4oz! My advice would be to follow your doctor's suggestions to the letter for the remainder of your pregnancy to ensure the healthiest outcome possible. And try not to worry - the added stress is not good for you or baby! Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful

I had 4 pregnancies with GD -- no C-sections. As long as you have an endocrinologist or perinatologist you like and trust (I had an endocrinologist the first time, and PN the other 3 times), don't worry about it. Just follow the diet and you should be fine. Really, the diet is not that bad. I did have to test my blood 4 times a day, but that gets really easy too -- you just get used to it. And you do not have that much longer :) I had to follow the diet from 20 weeks onward with all my pregnancies after my first one!

I had GD with my second pregnancy. As was previously mentioned, I was referred to a dietician who helped provide me with meal suggestions. They also set me up with a blood sugar test kit. I had to test my blood sugar 4 times a day. By following the dietician's suggestions, I was able to keep my blood sugar under control for the rest of my pregnancy. My daughter was born two weeks early (not related to the GD) and weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz (my son was born 5 days early @ 8 lbs, 15 oz). I did not have to have a c-section. At my 6 week post-pardum appointment, my blood sugar was tested again (after the delivery I stopped following the dietitian's diet), and my blood sugar was normal.

First...relax. GD is harder to control when you are stressed. Stress, diet, excercise all contibrute to your levels.

If your first test (the one hour test) came back high, you may not have GD. My 1 hr test came back high w/ both pregnancies but only with the second pregnancy did I have GD.

If you have already had the 3 hr test and it too came back high then you will most likely be meeting w/ a nutritionist/dietician. You will also have to begin checking your levels (and the guidelines are different for GD then they are for regular diabetes) and try to keep it in check. Depending on your diet/eating habits, you may not have to change much. The best thing is to listen to what they tell you and try to regulate you levels through diet. If that doesn't work, you will probably have to start w/ insulin (there are different types and what type you need would depend on what your numbers are and how your body processes the foods you eat).

I was told that they normally try to induce around 38 weeks to avoid the baby being too big and having complications from the GD. My due date "snuck up" on my doctor and I was scheduled to be induced just about 4 days early. I went in labor on my own two days before that, so I was just over 39 weeks. My daughter was just 6 lbs 11 oz (not too big and no problems/my son was 7 lbs 15.5 oz and I didn't have GD w/ him). Neither of us have diabetes now.

Things will work out fine. Follow the dietician and doctor's advice. Try to control the GD through diet but don't stress if insulin is needed. The further along you get in your pregnancy the harder it to control your levels. I had the worse time w/ my numbers after lunch even after I was put in insulin.

In an effort to make sure you understand that this is important and take it seriously, they tend to scare you a bit. If your numbers are just a point or two high, it is not the end for the world. It is important that you watch what you eat and follow their advice but the most imporant part is to not let the numbers get too low or too high. Be sure you eat your evening snack (they will advise you) to help avoid being too low in the morning since you will be going a long period without eating and if you have taken insulin, be sure you eat.

You will look at food differently...some vegetables are sugars, some are better to load up on. Sometime cheese may be your dairy but sometimes it can be your protein....they don't always fall under the traditional food group that we learned them to be in. Portion control is key....learn what you can have extra of without causing your levels to spike for those times you are hungrier than normal. Also, if you are really craving something, you are better off to have a small portion of it then try to resist and then pig out on it.

My GD baby was 7 pounds even. No C-section.

get a fix it and forget it diabetic cook book. its not a real big thing double your meat and cheese and use lots of veggieson your sandwiches. use minimal starches. no oj no white bread no white rice whole grain pasta 2% milk and no my baby was smaller than his bro he was early but I had told the doc all along my due date was wrong. and he was 3 weeks early but so was his brother. relax it will be allright. limit your fruits and minimal juice and if you drink it water it down. splenda doesnt taste bad no after taste I buy the walmart generic kind. flour tortillas turn into sugar slower than bread. hope this helps

Oh Bookishmom07:

I can only imagine how overwhelmed you must feel at this time. I do have good news though during this challanging time.

There is a whole food supplement called JuicePlus+ which has found a way to get a rainbow of whole food fruits and veggies and berries into adults and children! In the capsules, the sugar, salt and water are removed to result in a revolutionary whole food nutraceutical. You can take a look at my website which is http://www.vineripejuiceplus.com (a picture is worth a thousand words).

If I can help you futher let's chat.

For better health.
C.
P.S. Currently Juice Plus+ is being tested on pregnant women in a clinical study at University of Missippii with phenomal results!

I was borderline with my pregnancy. I had problems getting pregnant and did IVF. It was very complicated and lots of bedrest. The dietician helped and everything was checked normal except for the one test. My son was premature and was taken C-section because the cord was in knot. Nothing to do with blood sugars. I only had the first part of the test showing a high sugar, the gave me the accucheck to check regualarly, and the dietician. Mine was able to be controlled with diet. My son and I have no problems with our sugars. You are already further along than when my son was born. I wish you the best of luck! Take good care of yourself and your baby!

I somehow was the only one in my family who escaped GD... My mom, 2 aunts, and 3 cousins all had it. Not one of them ever had a c-section. Their babies were all under 8 lbs... (Doesn't seem fair that I had a 9lb 10oz baby WITHOUT having GD! lol) Their babies were all full term too. Your doctor should have you take a class on how to manage your GD, and as long as you do as you are taught, you should be fine. :)

With my first daughter i had the diabetes and c-sections for both kids because i dont have the hips. The diabetes was annoying to have but not that bad. You are likely to get it again with next baby and maybe later in life. Your doctor will set you up with a nutritionist and that will help alot. Since your on bedrest it will be mostly about your diet. Its not that big of a change. Drink more water, less juice. I liked the crystal light stuff, cause it tastes sweet and no sugar. There is yummy ice cream in a blue container that advertises less sugar cause it uses splendid. I trick i learned was to have snacks between meals to keep the blood sugar even.

My first daughter was estimated to be over 8 lbs but actually was 7 lbs and 9oz.

Good news is that doctors will do the c-section at about 38-39weeks. Also, babies dont usually have the diabetes and mom goes back to normal as well after birth.

Most important advice is for you to buy a Post Delivery Girdle that is a
Velcro Closure. You will need the support and it helps you heal faster. i tried to save money the second time and just buy a griddle at Jcpenny and it was a waste of money. Also, bring a pillow for you to ride home with. Every bumb you will feel and the pillow helps cushion them. Dont cough either for a week. Take an easy for the first 4wks ( no bending over or lifting) or it will push your recovery back. Second c-section isnt as bad and you recover faster. Finally, your feet will swell up and shoes will be hard to wear but walking around is the only way to reduce the swelling even if you have to go home in just socks.

Drop me line if you need anymore advice, and good luck.

I had GD with my most recent daughter, now 8mos. I was TERRIFIED that it would end in a c-section! I have 2 other kids, 7 & 4. My oldest was 7lbs 5oz, my middle was over 9lbs, and my baby was only 7lbs 15oz. So, I wouldn't really worry about the size. As long as you watch what you eat, you will be fine. I tended to try and avoid too many breads & pastas, and I think that helped me a lot. Also, I didn't go into labor early either. They induced me at 39 weeks, and I LOVED it. It was a wonderful experience!!! My OB said that women with GD usually get induced early because of the risk of a larger baby. I had ultrasounds with growth estimates every month during my pregnancy so that they could monitor her size. She never measured larger than average. My mom had GD with me and my other 2 siblings, and we were all 9lbs & under. Also, they will want you to come for a follow up after the baby is born to check and make sure you aren't continuing the diabetes...I guess it's a higher chance. I never carried it on, so try not to be too worried about that either!
If you have any questions, or would like some more info of what I did during my pregnancy, feel free to message me!! Oh, and I was also a high risk pregnancy as well, and I still dodged all the "worst case scenarios"!
Good luck & congrats on your baby!!
J.