For anyone who had gestational diabetes...

[Hoosier Mom]

did you become diabetic afterwards? After how long?

I'm asking because I had it and only gained 17 pounds during the pregnancy and the diabetes went away after the delivery. However my doctor cautioned me that I'll have diabetes within 5 years.

I lost the 17 pounds plus a few more, but I'm supposed to be losing every bit of my tummy to ward off the diabetes. That means I need to lose at least another 35 pounds.

I was just wondering if anyone else experienced their gestational diabetes going into regular diabetes.

By the way, I just found this board. Your enthusiasm for each other is wonderful. Way to be supportive!

[debm]

I'm curious too. With 2 of my kids they had to do the Long test for the gest. diabetes but it came back fine, with one of the kids there was no problem, but with my last one the docs gave me conflicting advice. One doc said just don't eat an entire bag of Oreos (little did he know I could eat 1/2 in one sitting.) and the other doctor said I needed to get on the gest. diabetes diet. But by the time they told me all this it was about 6 weeks before due date and I never got a nutrition counseling appt. Guess I could have pushed harder for it---but who wants to go on a special diet!?!?! Yes, my last baby WAS 11 pounds birthed naturally but otherwise everything was fine. All my babes were big. 2 others at 8.5, and another at 9.5. One of my doctors with my 3rd said because I have big babies I am more at a risk later in life but she made it sound like MUCH later. I'm not a very big person but I am about 30 pounds overweight. I am training for DL 1/2 right now and running A LOT and not losing weight. Hhhhmmm....although I think a lot is muscle. She just made it sound that if I didn't exercise and lose weight that when I was in my 50s /60's I would have a higher chance of developing diabetes. No other doctor has said anything to me. Anyone out there with experience??

[Hoosier Mom]

Wow! 11 pounds naturally! Wow!

Mine was 5 pounds and was a c-section. He was all tangled up in his cord.

Some OB's test for diabetes at around 28 weeks I guess. Mine tested me at 13 weeks. I flunked the 1 hour and then the 3 hour tests. So I did the nutrition class and tested my blood 4 times per day. I was on a pretty strict diet because I didn't want to do insulin.

Thanks for responding. Well, here's hoping we both avoid diabetes in the future.

[o2bacelt]

I had GD with DD. I had to test 4 or 5 times a day and stick to a pretty strict diet.

What your doctor said is wrong, it's not definite that you'll get diabetes in five years, your risk of getting diabetes increases more than someone who doesn't have GD with a pregnancy.

My GD was never really high and was easily controlled with the diet. I made mistakes when eating things, not sugar but things like pizza wonked out my numbers for days.

I've monitored my sugars off and on for the last two years and I've been well within the ranges on the Diabetes Association web page, those numbers aren't as nuts as the ones I had when pregnant. I had only gained a pound with DD when pregnant, I lost 10 of the 11 I had gained when I went on the diabetic diet.

Too bad I managed to find the 28 pounds I lost after having my DD, and they brought friends, I'm hoping if we decide to have another baby that I'll be GD free.

[Simba's Mom]

Well, I had Gestational Diabetes 23 years ago. The doctor said it would increase my chances of getting diabetes, but fortunately, I'm fine (so far).

[Hoosier Mom]

Well, I had Gestational Diabetes 23 years ago. The doctor said it would increase my chances of getting diabetes, but fortunately, I'm fine (so far).

Wow, 23 years! That is great! That is encouraging!

I still occasionally test my blood sugar in the morning. I've been worried lately because my morning checks have always been around 105 which is within the normal range, normal being less than 110, but lately have been slipping up into the 120's. My doc said they need to be in 70's and 80's.

I think I'll ask for the A1C test when I get my annual checkup at the end of the year.

Anyway, good to hear from all of you. Hopefully we'll be diabetes free for years, or preferably forever.

[lovinaz]

I had gestational diabetes with DS10 (he was 9lb 15oz), but not with DD7 (9lb 6oz). It's been 10 years and I don't have diabetes, not even close. At my last yearly checkup (May), my fasting blood sugar was 80, which is right where it should be. I think your Dr gave you some wrong information about having diabetes in 5 years.

[kaysmommie]

I had gestaional Diabetes and I don't have it now but I'm on the small side with a tubby tummy. So there is definatley risk factors. I was petite before my 2nd child DS but gained over 50 lbs. I had him at 35 weeks and he was 9.5 and had him naturally! :scared1: It was not fun and he almost had to have a broken collar bone. I need to lose about 15lbs. to be slim again but at least 7-10 to get rid of some tummy fat. I had bloodwork done and they said I'm fine but I don't think they are catching it because my bloodsugar is so up & down. I get dizzy nauseous and have migranes. I can sure sympathize with you all.

[debm]

"tubby tummy"? So what does that mean? I have a small bone structure but carry weight thru my hips and legs just like my mom. But my stomach is all loose and saggy from my 11 pounder. At least I blame it on him but I'm sure if I lost some weight it would help. They say my stomach muscles are very weak too. I am about 30 pounds overweight for where I want to be. Yet, I am very active--training for the DL 1/2 marathon---and am in good shape. I am NOT losing any weight though with all my training the last few months. That makes me wonder but yet I've heard that people don't always lose weight when running so much. Of course now it is SO hot even at 6AM that I've been a bit lax lately. So does my stomach have any predeterming thing about diabetes? Is that what you meant?

[kaysmommie]

We have a few Diabetics in our family. My Aunt is thin but her belly is huge. It seems like some diabetics have larger tummy then the rest of their body. My belly is a bit round that is were I carry my weight. Although it is loose too after having a 9.5 baby, I"m only 5'2". As far as running I don't really know much about how that affects weight loss. I'm just dieting and walking everday and losing weight very slowly. I just 10-15 lbs. to be a healthy size.

[Hoosier Mom]

Count me in as one who carries her weight in her tummy. My sister is all hips & thighs. I understand that carrying my weight in my middle may predispose me to diabetes and heart trouble. Plus the fact that I had Gest. Diabetes. I think it is more about genes than anything. My sister got the good genes.

PS, it was my OB who told me about the tummy part. He said a person can become sugar intollerant (pre-diabetes). He can tell them from their shape.

[grlpwrd]

When I took diabetes nutrition classes, the specialist told me there is a 25% chance that those with gestational diabetes will have adult diabetes.

That's 1 in 4. :(