K.W. asks from Decatur, GA on February 13, 2007
Has Anyone Had Gestational Diabetes While Pregnant
I was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Has anyone had this problem while pregnant? If so, what did your doctor do? What did the doctor instruct you to do? How can this affect my baby and my health? How serious is this condition?
More Answers
J.Y. answers from Atlanta on February 13, 2007
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. Fortunately I was able to control my sugar by diet alone. I was sent by my doctor to a class on diabetes and they gave ideas on what I should and shouldn't eat.(No, I'm not the healthiest eater...so this really helped). I'm unsure exactly what steps are taken if the sugar gets out of control. I checked my sugar and kept records everyday during my pregnancy. The only real "problem" I had was the size of my children. Gestational diabetes does sometimes cause you to have bigger babies...both of mine were near 9 lbs. but are perfectly healthy. The other about gestational diabetes is it is an indicator that you may be more likely to become diabetic once the pregnancy is over.
S. answers from Albany on February 15, 2007
I had gestational diabetes while pregnant also. I had to check blood sugar 3 times a day and was sent to a nutrionist for a diet. I know it can cause large babies and increases your risk for diabetes later in life. I remeber being very sick with morning sickness while pregnant and wasn't after my sugar was under control. I hope this has helped somewhat. S.
M.S. answers from Columbus on February 25, 2007
Yes this is my second pregnancy and I have had Gestational Diabetes with both! Just watch what you eat and how much sugar you take in. I am on insulin and check my sugar 4x a day. I have had to completely change my diet. Anything esle you want to know let me know and I will try to help! :)
M.
____@____.com
T.C. answers from Savannah on February 15, 2007
Hi K.. I had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. My doctor instructed me to monitor my blood sugar three times a day, 1 hour after a meal. I was referred to a nutritionist for meal plans and carbohydrate options. They will tell you the number your blood sugar level should be. I would feel woosy or light-headed if I skipped meals or had too much sugar, whether in meals or juices. I too wondered how serious gestational diabetes could be for me while pregnant. It could have serious effects if not monitored carefully, such as larger babies at birth, preclampsia and drop in sugar level in baby at birth, just to name a few. The bright side is that gestational diabetes is gone immediately after delivery. Both of my children had low blood sugars at birth but were treated and are completely well and doing fine today. I hope this information helped you some. Please let me know if you have any more questions.
J.K. answers from Columbus on February 14, 2007
I would recommend the Blue Ribbon diet to any pregnant mom
Especially one who has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
http://www.blueribbonbaby.org/brewerdiet.shtml
Good luck to you and your baby
B.W. answers from Macon on February 14, 2007
Hey K.!
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with my second child. She is now three months old, and in very good health. Gestational Diabetes CAN be a very serious condition for you and your baby, IF you do not control it!! I found that with a little exercise and controlling my diet it was rather easy to control. My doctor sent me to a class at the old houston mall to learn how to control my diet and what I should and shouldn't eat. I also learned that when my sugar spiked that was the best time to add a little bit of exercise. Mine always got higher at night, so I walked in place while I watched a little tv. And I only did that for about 15 min. That brought my sugar down to the levels my doc. wanted them. I also had to check my sugar four times a day. I had to keep a journal of what my levels were and the doc would check them. After a few weeks, the doc said I was controlling my sugar so good that I only needed to check my sugar every other day. Also, you hear that babies are bigger when you have Gestational diabetes, so I was so worried about that!! My friend had just had a 10 lb baby, and personally, I didn't want that. My baby ended up coming only five days early. And she only weighed 6 lbs 8 oz. They did have to check the babies blood sugar while in the hospital to make sure she didn't have to much or too little sugar. They also checked mine. Also, the last four weeks or so, your doctor will do a stress test and an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid. They just like to make sure the baby is healthy.
I am sure you will be just fine. If you have any questions or need me for anything, just let me know.
B.
L.G. answers from Atlanta on February 25, 2007
I had GD with my son, all I had to do was watch my diet and check my blood sugar 3 times a day with a needle to the finger, it was annoying, and I couldn’t eat anything or much of anything. My son came out fine at 7lbs. and 1 oz. GOOD LUCK!!
D.T. answers from Atlanta on February 14, 2007
I had it with my daughter. It can cause a lot of problems if you don't monitor your blood sugar and keep it low. My daughter ended up being 9lbs 4 ozs, got stuck coming out, broke her collarbone, and stopped breathing. It terrified me when my delivery went from normal, to the midwife calling for an infant recessitation team.(She's was fine thank God!) Your labor does NOT have to be that bad. Please follow the diet you are put on. I had difficulty dealing with it and gave up at the end. That caused my daughter to be so large. Also, it puts her and me at an increased risk for other types of diabetes. Again, not matter how tedious it is, follow your diet! Good luck! Feel free to write me back if you have any questions.
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