Gestational Diabetes

How can I control gestational diabetes to avoid complications?

Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women. Approximately 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes are confirmed in the United States each year. Doctors generally do routine glucose screenings around the 28th week of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, she will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually affects the mother in late pregnancy.

Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, gestational diabetes begins when the body is not able to make and use the insulin it needs. Insulin enables the glucose to leave the blood and change to energy. When the glucose can not leave, it builds up in the blood. This leads to high levels of glucose in the blood and is known as hyperglycemia.

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is very important that you listen to your healthcare provider and take care of yourself. Uncontrolled getational diabetes can be dangerous for both mother and baby. The extra amounts of glucose give the baby high blood glucose levels as well and the extra energy will be stored as fat. This can cause a condition known as macrosomia, also known as "fat baby". Babies with macrosomia may have problems with their shoulders during birth, breathing problems and low blood glucose levels at birth. Because babies with macrosomia are often large, the odds of having a cesarean section are increased.

It is crucial that pregnant women start treatment quickly. Doctors try to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. Special meal plans and schedules physical activity are treatment for gestational diabetes. Sometimes women with gestational diabetes have to do daily blood glucose testing and get insulin injections.

Many pregnant mothers wonder if the condition will stay after the pregnancy has come to an end. Normally, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy. However, the chances of having it again with future pregnancies are higher. Occasionally, women will go on to have type 1 or 2 diabetes after their pregnancy is done. Treatment would need to be continued after pregnancy if this is the case. There does tend to be a link between gestational diabetes and the development of type 2 diabetes later in life.

Comments: Gestational Diabetes

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melissa 102202 - 306 days ago.
I had GD with my first pregnancy, I am not 24 weeks with #2. I had my 3 hour at 20 weeks and passed - I actually didn't fail any of the 3 tests. Now I am 24 weeks and I will say the past 4 I have really ate bad foods and haven't exercised as much but I gained 7.5 pounds.... I think that's a lot ESP since I haven't been really gaining at all before now. I have been having insomnia so I was up since 330am this morning and took my sugar at 830, it was 93 even after being up and cleaning the house. My doctors office won't test again until 28 weeks- I know it's only 4 away but I am going to try to stick to the diet as much as I can. Those of u with multiple pregnancies- how early did they find it when testing after ur first? Have you passed at 20 weeks and failed after that?

punkesqmommy - 325 days ago.
I have been dealing with the GD issue and while I am still monitoring my glucose to confirm if there is a problem, I am really controlling both my carb intake and portions with the use of a weighing scale. I have to say that my first week of monitoring, using the food suggestions my doctor gave me, my readings were starting to skyrocket!! I think it's because I wasn't controlling the portion sizes, and I was still having similar foods as normal (hard boiled eggs and 1 slice of wheat, not white, bread) and meuslix. Well, I seemed to discover that I can't eat bread so freely and there is still way too much sugar in the 'healthy' cereals. So now, breakfast is 2 eggs scrambled with fresh spinach and mozzarella followed by a low sugar snack and lots of water. Lunch is more about salads with leftover grilled chicken or something and dinner might have some pasta or rice but I measure that part out. Result: much lower readings. And I am careful not to trigger keytosis by eliminating all carbs, but this is something that I think I will adopt in my post pregnancy life. Hoping not to get too bored so I am constantly looking for good low carb recipes and I guess every once in a while have a legitimate sweet treat. I see this as helping my baby's little pancreas from being overworked and that makes it all worth it.

JH - 334 days ago.
found out i have diabetes this week. i felt like it was a death sentence. i cried for a while and blamed myself. though i have been eating better and working out more with this pregnancy. i go to the doc in a few days. but what i am reading about foods to eat really sucks. i don't like 3/4ths of the food on the list. i am totally pissed about this. and then this gives me insight that i am now at higher risk to get diabetes when i am older. oh i am so pissed. anyone else dealt with this?

Allysmom3712 - 485 days ago.
I just wanted to update what happened at my u/s today. Hopefully it can comfort someone out there going through something similar. The tech said that everything looked good with my baby girl today. She weighs 4 pounds 12 oz, which she said was a little small but healthy. Also she said I could have measured a few cm less because this is my first baby and my uterus muscles aren't stretched as much as someone who has had a baby before. Also at 34 weeks she is head down which accoounts for a smaller measurement. I guess there are many factors that contribute to the size of a baby bump. Hope this helps someone.

Allysmom3712 - 485 days ago.
I will be 34 weeks on Wednesday. At my doctors appointment today I only measured at 31 weeks. The dr is concerned so I have an u/s in the morning but in the mean time I'm going crazy! At 28 weeks I had a glucose test and failed it. I then went and did the three hour test and passed but only by one number. Because I am borderline I go every two weeks for bloodwork. It is finally coming back okay. Also they put me on a 2200 calorie diet. I am plus size but have only gained about 17lbs, now weighing 218. I have only gained 1 pound in the last six weeks, which they say is good, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if this could cause me to measure smaller? Has this happened to anyone else? I' was so blindsided by something being wrong I didnt ask why this might occur. Can anyone relate?

bananabum - 567 days ago.
Hello, I am 17 weeks and have been getting terrible spells that mimic the symptoms of low blood sugar lately. It will hit me in the morning about an hour after breakfast or late in the morning before lunch. Pretty much any time but I think those seem to be the worst. I will start with a headache and nausea but super hungry at the same time. My hands get shaky to where I can't hold a cup of coffee without spilling, and I get very light headed and hot/cold. If I eat something it generally goes away within about 20 mins. I've also been way more tired than usual, with huge black circles under my eyes and have been getting about 9 hrs a night. I'm always thirsty anyway, so can't tell that way and always have to pee too, but isn't that normal in pregnancy? Basically, should I wait until next week to see my doc or should I take faster action and get checked out?? Weird hey? I also take synthroid for a lazy thyroid.... Any comments are appreciated :)

starby - 650 days ago.
Anyone with GD have any good late night snack ideas?? I have recently started getting super hungry before bed and going to bed hungry makes it hard to sleep :( I eat almonds all day long so looking for something less nutty..ha ha...any ideas are much appreciated!!!!

lukenaomicoopa(yellow) - 680 days ago.
I found out i have gestational Diabetes last week, Im 10 wks on Sat. I have to see a specialist etc. I am concered because im so early? Dose anyone know of /has anyone had it this early? thanks

3lovebabies - 694 days ago.
I just found out yesterday I have GD; I am 30 weeks. I follow the zone diet (low carb and fat, high protein) and I am still running about 15 miles a week and doing Crossfit. I am just really confused as to why my numbers came back high. I don't understand why my body should be able to process 100 g of sugar in 3 hours if I barely eat 100g of sugar in 4 days. I have heard bad things about the oral medication for GD. Anybody have any thoughts on that medicine? What happens if I refuse to take insulin or oral meds? My babies are already huge and I am already scheduled for a c-section; I don't want baby to be unhealthy but I also don't want to take the medicine if it's harmful to me or the baby either. Any thoughts

Hawkbaby1 - 696 days ago.
Kickboxer- Sorry I haven't responded(I don't get on-line very often) I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. the baby's pancreas hasn't even started producing its own insulin. your doctor and nutritionist should fill you in on everything... I am seeing a endocrinologist every 4 weeks along with my OB. Just try to get your diet on track, excercise, and drink plenty of fluids. For the diet, just limit your carb intake. For example, I get 30 grams with breakfast, 15 for a snack, 45 with lunch, 15 for a snack(sometimes 2 snacks), 45 grams with dinner. Salads and veggies are a must :) My doctor says to take a walk after you eat and that is the best way to keep the BS #s down.

kickboxerbaby - 721 days ago.
Hawkbaby - I am 10wks 5 days and was imformed yesterday that my bloodwork came back with sugar levels of 127 after not eating for 7 hrs. So they are considering me GD and sending me off to a nutritionist. I was so surprised that they found out this early. Is there anything else I can do to help me and baby until I see the nutritionist? shellsy0424 - I have been so thirsty. I am also so tired that I am falling asleep through out the day. I am so scared of that my levels are unsafe. I have lost 13lbs but I am starving and if I eat after 5:30 I am vomitting. I didn't have GD for any of my first 3 pregnancies but my last baby was almost 10lbs so even my doctors think that they may have missed it. I need advice please???

eli8100 - 731 days ago.
Hello Im 25weeks and i just recently found that i failed the 3 hour glocouse tolerance test for 1 pont I was at 96 and normal should be at 95 so now doctor is consider me as GD. no my question is they gave me the info but they said i should have following results Fasting 60-90, 1hr After meals 60-120, if not its not normal?? but doing research online Fasting its normal less 100 and after meals 140, So i am confused does anybody knows???

Hawkbaby1 - 741 days ago.
Hello! I am 19 weeks with 1st baby and I was diagnosed at 6 weeks with GD. I am on insulin 4x per day and have to check my sugars 4x as well. It has been a rough road but so worth it. It seems that all of my cravings are centered around all of the things I am not supposed to eat. I have been monitored closely with my endocrinologist and my OB and my overall health has improved tremendously. Only 21 more weeks to go :)

B3thy - 742 days ago.
quick question ladies....has anyone taken Glyburide for gestational diabetes? I was reading about it online and I am not happy with what I found. I do not take medicine pretty much ever and the thought of taking something that could harm my baby is out of the question. my fasting sugar tests have been higher then my dr would like and so she wants me to take it once a day at night to try to bring those morning numbers down...please let me know if you have any experience with this medicine. TIA!

shellsy0424 - 745 days ago.
kellyg- I had all the symptoms and signs, and I just knew I had GD before the test because I was extremely tired, just like first trimester, felt more nausious and also I was soooo thirsty, I could not drink enough to quench my thirst.

shellsy0424 - 745 days ago.
hey ladies, I am 38 weeks and have been treated for GD since week 26. I am testing my blood 6 times per day and I take 5 insulin shots a day.(two different kinds). I have learned from my doctor that each week the GD gets worse and this is a good sign because it shows the placenta is working very well. It has been challenging with the strict diet and all the poking but of course my motivation is not having a big baby. At my 33 week ultrasound he was measuring 5 oz. big, which really is nothing. The doctor says he is measuring normal which makes all of this worth it. Just wanna say good luck to all of you cause I know it is not fun.

kellyg - 748 days ago.
What symptoms did you guys have?

wedward **PINK** - 756 days ago.
Hi! I have had GD with two of my pg. I am only 4.5 weeks now but feel like I did when I has GD. Do you know if it is possible for it to show up this soon?

B3thy - 758 days ago.
hey ladies...I was diagnosed with GD about 2 weeks ago. I have to test my sugar 4 times a day! I hate needles and love pasta so needless to say it has been tough. I am very thankful that I am 31 weeks so I only have to deal for a little longer. baby boy has been kicking and wiggling away so I know he is fine. I have found that my sugar is not consistent at all! some days I am so good and I get bad numbers and then other days I cheat a little and the numbers are not as bad as I thought. so weird! overall I am a very healthy eater but my nutritionalist told me that portion size is my problem and I totally agree! before I got pregnant I ate very little, but since becoming pregnant I have found that I have trouble not eating an entire plateful of food because I am always hungry. peanut butter has become my crutch as it is the only rich food item I am allowed to have. I have also found that many of the suggested food options are highly processed foods which I do not eat. I just keep telling myself that baby boy is worth it all and use him as my inspiration! sanner5955 - if you have to do a fasting test first thing in the morning I was told 95 and under...2 hours after a meal should be 120 and under. hope that helps!

sanner5955 - 763 days ago.
I technically failed my 3 hr test, my numbers were 95, 187, 137, 94. My dr didn't diagnose me as gd, but has me checking my sugar a few times a day. I'm supposed to check 2 hrs after meals, but I have been testing 1 and 2 hrs just to know what going on. So far my highest 1 hr post meal level has been 106. I just can't see how I'm gd.... what is the target level for 1 and 2 hr past meals?

anj1977 - 764 days ago.
Hey guys! Found out a month ago had GD. I am now 20 weeks. We have had trouble managing it so far with diet-can't keep anything down. So I went on Glucophage, and now I take insulin once a day. Numbers have been alot better. I was worried that they would never come down, but I am glad I have a great doc and dietician taking care of me.

alwaysblessed - 765 days ago.
Hey ladies. I have GD. I have an appointment with a nutritionist in few days. Ive been controlling my numbers with diet but some days my numbers arent too good. What are the effects of GD on the baby besides a larger birth weight?

emelcivan@ymail.com - 769 days ago.
mommy971011 Your doctor/s should inform you how to cope with GD. Ask them until no grey corners in ur mind. I'm glad if i gave you encouragement but please take is seriously. How to eat, how to exercise , find them out. Then it's gonna be ok..

mommy971011 - 770 days ago.
emelcivan thanks for the encouragement!!

emelcivan@ymail.com - 770 days ago.
mommy971011 I have made a little research about GD. Do not worry cause as long as you keep your sugar level under control you and your baby will be fine. Just take it seriously and listen to your doctors.