Gestational Diabetes - Vista,CA

There are some hard core scientists that question the validity of GD as a disease. Some say that it is perfectly normal in pregnancies for some women.

Please do not feel badly about this. This isn't you, this is one of those tests that helps a very small percent but causes lots of others unnecessary stress.

I had it with my pregnancies. All 3 of my babies are absolutely healthy and fine. One idea to try as a before bed snack is plain greek yogurt - very high protein and low sugar. Just a thought.

Honestly, healthy people get GD. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. You're doing what it takes to give your baby a healthy start in life. That is *huge* and you should honor yourself for your actions. Hugs.

I had the exact same scenario with my 4th pregnancy...never had GD with the other three. I cried when they told me I was going to have to go on insulin, and felt so ANGRY with my body for not doing everything perfectly. My after meal numbers were ok, it was the morning number that was elevated.

But you know - I did what I needed to do, and gave myself those little insulin shots (way easier than I thought it would be), and kept monitoring my numbers. I gave birth naturally to a perfectly healthy baby boy, who weighed just a little less than babies 2 and 3.

This does mean that you are at a greater risk of developing type II diabetes later in life, so take this as your wake up call, and don't beat yourself up over it! Treat yourself with love and respect.

Oh, and don't let your doctors railroad you into a cesarean based on GD alone! Well managed GD is NOT dangerous to your baby.

I had GD too, and the other posters are right - it's just something that pregnancy does to a lot of women. I don't know your age, but my GD counselor said that So Cal is the center of GD research and has a really good program called Sweet Success that can help you manage your GD.
If I remember, their advice for a high blood sugar in the morning was to add some very lean protein snack late at night, and some activity i.e. a walk around the block or something. Both lean protein and exercise seem to regulate your blood sugar.
It might be worth trying, but in any event, don't be embarrased about your GD -> be proud that you're taking care of yourself and your baby. You wouldn't feel embarrased if you suddenly had preeclampsia or some other condition! Just take care of yourself, and get the best advice you can from your doctor, and see if you can get a GD counselor - a registered dietician specializing in GD. It really helps figure out how to cope with diet while you're controlling your blood sugar.

I had gestational diabetes too. I used the Zone Diet (Dr. Barry Sears) and this really helped me. My baby was born at home and was 7lbs, 10 oz and completely fine.

I think we (as a culture) tend to stigmatize gestational diabetes as something that people 'do to themselves'. As others have posted, this is not the case unless you are really eating in an unhealthy way, and it sounds like you are not doing that. My advice would be to NOT be hard on yourself, get lots of exercise, eat well and drink plenty of water, get good rest. Do what your doctors tell you and know that this is not a personal failure, it's your body's temporary reaction to doing a very amazing (and at times, difficult) thing: making another human being. If you are doing what your doctors tell you, then you are doing just what your little girl needs-- you are NOT letting her down.

Hugs,
H.

I had gestational diabetes both times that I was pregnant. It's caused by being pregnant. After you have your baby, your body goes back to normal and no more diabetes. However, if you are obese, the diabetes may stay with you and turn into type 2 diabetes. It did for me. I don't have it anymore though because I lost a lot of weight.
When I had GB, I had to take Gyburide to help manage it. Of course on top of that, the GB diet as well. Don't feel embarrassed. Some women get it, and some don't. It's easily controlled. :-D You should talk about it with your family/friends because if for some reason your blood sugar drops below 70, they will need to know the signs that you will show in order to help you. My blood sugar went down to 52 a couple of times. I could not get a sentence out, I was confused, felt lightheaded....etc. My husband knew exactly what was going on and got me some orange juice to drink right away. After that I was fine. I'll tell you, if your blood sugar drops like that, you may not be in the right mind to help yourself. You're going to need someone that is with you to know what to do. So, tell your family and friends. Talk to them about the signs of low blood sugar and what to do for you in case it happens. :-) It'll be ok. Everything will be ok. Your baby will be just fine. :-D

I can certainly understand why you feel you are letting your baby down because of this, but in reality, you are DOING the best thing for your baby by getting the proper treatment for it!

Don't stress too much over it... the doctors are very experienced with this and only want the BEST outcome for you and your baby... if that means you need to use insulin for the rest of the pregnancy, rest assured it will produce a MUCH healthier baby!

"I feel like I am letting my baby girl down because my body is not providing for here correctly." Stop it, right now. Because this kind of reasoning is silly - blame yourself for having blue eyes as well! And your toe shape and your freckels! (sp) So - what helped me with my GD, was to exercise - every time I put something in my mouth, I would take a walk around the block. Then, I breast fed - lost 20 pounds doing it and then all the weight crept back. However, I kept up the walking and DID NOT get the GD with my 2nd pregnancy.
You are a big hormonal mess right now! Do the best you can - have a glass of water and go for a walk!!!
Good luck!
You must love yourself so your children will learn through you to love themselves and others. Start right now.

I had it, it was managed by diet only. Son was born fine. Don't feel embarrassed. It's your hormones talking. And THEY are the things that gave you the gestational diabetes. Just take care of yourself and your sugar. You'll be ok. No blame - it just happens.

I had gestational diabetes with my son, 5 years ago. He was healthy and I was otherwise. I had to take insulin daily to manage it. For me it was a horrible thing to go through but I did and it resulted in me giving birth to a healthy, albeit early, baby boy weighing in at just under 7lbs at 35 weeks gestation. My son was tested at birth and has been checked over the years for diabetes and he does not have it.

I wish you and your little one the best health and easy healthy delivery.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people who think GD is because you are unhealthy or overweight. This is simply not the case and I had to educate almost everyone I knew on why I had it both pregnancies. Like others mentioned, your body may simply just not produce enough insulin for you AND the baby. Very simple. Nothing you can do about it. DO not be hard on yourself for something beyond your control. You are doing everything right and I would do what the Dr says and get on the insulin as soon as possible. This will cause your levels to be 'normal' for the baby girl growing inside of you and that is what she needs! :) Smile, it will be ok.

My morning test was a little over 100 usually. My dietician told me to not eat for several hours before bed. They also tried a little pill once a day. Maybe ask about those options. They may say no but at least you can feel you tried everything. Don't blame yourself. It is what it is!