Gestational Diabetes - Dunstable,MA

I had GD with my 2nd pregnancy as well. My glucose levels were quite high so I had to use insulin daily to keep my levels below 200. I also kept my diet relatively strict. My son was born at 35 weeks 6 days and was kept in the NICU for 8 hours per the hospital's requirements to monitor his glucose levels but was in my room until we went home the next day. He weighed in just below 7lbs and was perfectly healthy. They did not monitor my glucose during labor but did check an hour or so after and I've been back to normal sans diabetes since then.

Had it with my first but not with my second pregnancy...just follow the diet and test your sugars...enjoy the extra ultrasounds and take a book or music with you to the non-stress tests. (These will be bi-weekly hen weekly towards the end).

My son and I are just fine...his blood sugar was great after delivery and so was mine. I was induced a week early because the doctor was concerned he was big....but he was only 7 pounds.

Beverage wise I drank Crystal Light because I needed some flavor in my water and there are a lot of sugar free frozen desserts or low carb frozen desserts that are pretty good. They say not too much artificial sweeteners but just use moderation.

I had GD with my second pregnancy (not with the first). I had no problems other than the GD itself. Both myself and my beautiful daughter are perfectly healthy and have had no further problems.

I had GD with my daughter. I was able to manage it just fine with diet and exercise (more diet than exercise!). It was annoying at first to have to check my blood sugar so frequently (my finger tips were sore!) but eventually my OB was happy with my numbers so I only had to check my sugars a couple of times a day instead of 4-5. The good thing was that it really made me eat healthily and I actually ended up losing weight (I started over weight) in the long run - the only weight gained was the baby as she grew.

Ultimately, I think the GD made my pregnancy a bit easier because it made me really take care of myself. That, and I got a lot more ultrasounds and looks at our little one as she grew! I did miss having desserts and other carbs, but I did figure out what my sugar levels could handle. For example, my body could handle a small DQ dipped cone, but no more than that... or a small serving of french fries, if I wanted a treat. Every one is a bit different, but I urge you to try your best to control it with diet so you don't have to resort to insulin. That being said, some women's bodies just can't adjust and end up on insulin no matter what you eat or do, so don't take it too personally.

Best of luck!
R.

Hi N.,

I had GB which I was able to control through diet and small portion sizes. Like Jen, I also had to test my glucose levels 4 x a day.

The doctors told me that people with GD are more likely to have larger babies so they kept talking about inducing me. I even went for a scan in the last week of pregnancy to determine the size of the baby. In the end, I went into labour on my own, 2 weeks early, and had a 7lb healthy boy.

The were constantly testing my glucose levels during labour and also tested my son every 4 hours or so after birth for about a day. He and I were both fine and we didn't have to do anything else once we left the hospital.

I sold Diabetes medications for 8 years (insulin and other hormone based injections).

If possible, ask your OB to refer you to a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). Most major hospitals have a Diabetes Care center staffed both with RNs and Registered Dieticians (sometimes pharmacists as well) who are certified specialists in Diabetes including gestational.

You should also be seen by an Endocrinologist to make sure your Diabetes is being managed as best as possible because it's critical to the health of your child. A diet based upon the American Diabetes Association recommendations is a really good guide, but the testing of glucose levels both before meals and 2 hours after is your best guide for how your body is processing both the pregnancy and the diabetes.

Good luck!

Hi, N..

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes with my second child as well. I was able to manage it through diet and exercise (monitoring my sugar levels all the while). I ended up eating vegetables, fruit, and proteins, and cut out most carbohydrates like rice, bread, pasta, etc. I lifted weights and took pregnancy yoga classes and walked a lot. I ended up feeling great--really healthy--for the pregnancy, never took insulin or other medications, and had a healthy baby (6 lb 6 oz) naturally.

Good luck!

Hi N.,

I had my second 4 1/2 months ago and was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes this time around. I immediately made an appointment with a diabetic nurse and dietician and together we came up with a manageable meal plan. I learned what I could eat and how much. I have to admit it was tough at first but you get use to it. I also found myself eating the same things over and over again but I didn't mind.
I checked my blood sugar four times a day, peed on a stick every morning and logged everything I ate and my scores every few hours. I was able to control my blood sugar and never needed insulin.

My little one was born at 39 weeks weighing 6lbs 14 oz.. Neither one of us is diabetic today. I gained very little weight once I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (at 27 weeks) so I was able to lose most of the weight pretty quickly after delivery.

Best of luck to you and your little one!

I was diagnosed with GD as well. I had to test four times a day and be on a strict diet, but after going through all of these instructions with the diabetes dr, he said that I shouldn't worry if the numbers didn't match what they had in the past. He said I could eat exactly the same things but because it was hormone related, my levels might be high or low, depending on the hormones at that time. So the entire thing made NO sense to me.
During labor, they tested my sugar levels constantly and gave me IVs of insulin. They also tested my baby several times after delivery. Both of us turned out fine! The diet was the hardest part for me (I love my carbs, juice, etc).

I had this with both pregnancies, and I have the most beautiful healthy children. I delivered early each time (37 weeks) to prevent the baby from getting overly big. The 1st time I was on insulin and gave myself shots in the belly twice a day, and had a 7lb girl, and with #2, I was diet controlled and he was 8lbs. The horror stories of 12 pound babies are so rare.

Earlier on in the day my numbers where higher than later in the day. To keep my after breakfast blood sugar numbers low, I always ate a slice of cheese and some peanuts or peanut granola bars. If I did great through an entire week, and allow myself a big piece of cheesecake with berries or chocolate. As long as your sweets are high in protein, you will do great. It was hard beverage wise...water or unsweet tea was hard to get use to.

After my son was born, I had a physical about 6 months later. I had a fasting glucose test, and I passed with flying colors!

I had it with my first pregnancy, but I delivered early so I wasn't on the diet too long (preterm labor believed to be related to carrying twins and not to the diabetes). This time around they tested me at twelve weeks due to history of diabetes with previous pregnancy. I've been on the diet for twelve weeks, and they recently started me on glyburide to stimulate my pancreas to create more insulin. I'm guessing they may increase that from once a day to twice a day at some point, as my lunch sugar levels still seem to be at or above the limit most days. I give you my background so that you'll have a better idea of if you want to ask me anything.

A couple of things that I've found helpful: Each time I finish a meal, I set the alarm on my phone. Otherwise, I find it very difficult to keep track of when to test my sugar. I also keep some alcohol wipes in my kit for times when I am nowhere near a place to wash my hands. I searched the web for low carb recipes, but I also continue to make well-balanced "meat, veggie, carb" dinners most of the time. McDonald's snack wraps are a nice low/medium carb option when we're out and about. I like the granola bites made by Archer Farms (found them at Target) for when I can only afford to eat one carb. I also keep a stash of nuts on hand for when I need some crunch.

This message got a lot longer than I intended, so I'm gonna stop now. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask...

I had GD early on in my pregnancy (diabetes runs in my family & I was high risk so was tested earlier then normal) and had to go on insulin by the time I was 5 months. I was induced a week before my due date and my son was just over 7 pounds. he is 7 years old now and neither of us has diabetes. just follow your doctors recommendations and do not worry too much about it beyond that - you will both be fine.