Anyone here have/had gestational diabetes? UPDATE post #23

[cats7494]

I go in a week for the glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes - I am 25 weeks pregnant. I am a little nervous about this to be honest.

Diabetes runs in my family...ALL of my aunts had gestational diabetes (6 of them), my mom, and my grandmother had it as well.
My mom and grandmother also have "regular" diabetes now too.
I have been trying to watch my diet carefully.

So~has anyone here had it and how did you deal with it? Any suggestions?
I have read about it - but like to hear first person stories....

Thanks!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I had gestational diabetes, I had to take insulin, check my blood sugar everyday. I was on all kinds of fertitlity drugs prior to conception and gain a ton of weight. The "good" thing about the gestational diabetes was that I really watched my diet and actually ended losing weight during pregancy.

As soon as DD was delivered, the nurse checked my blood and I was back to normal. They were monitoring it while I was in labor, and the instant (I kid you not) she came out all levels were fine. IMO, the words are much scarier, just watch your diet and I believe everything will be fine.

 

[LindaR]

I had it. Just had to watch what I ate and we carefully monitored the baby's size/weight. There was a pretty good possibility that I would have to have a C section because these babies tend to be pretty big.

Everything turned out well. She was born naturally and only weighed 8 lbs. I was used to monitoring diet anyway because DD's father is a diabetic (juvenile), so this was actually no big deal (meaning - no major changes).

 

[DVCLiz]

Yes, I had it with both pregnancies. And although it was scary, I managed fine with just diet. I was SCRUPULOUS about following that diet, though - if it said eat 12 grapes as a fruit serving, I never ate 11 or 13!!!! Although I did cheat and eat a candy bar once, right before a doctor's appointment!!!!!

The diet I was on is really a healthy way to eat, and if I followed it today I know I could be in good shape (instead of "Pooh sized"!) I was never hungry, and I finally learned what regular portions look like and how to eat fruits and vegetables each day.

Plus, it was only for ten weeks, so I didn't really have that long to deal with it. And as soon as the baby was born, I was back to normal.

Now, twelve years later, I have blood sugars that are pre-diabetic, but not yet diabetic. So I am back on a weight-loss program, to try and get normal blood sugars so I don't have to deal with diabetes later in life. I wish I'd stuck to that eating plan for the last ten years!!!!!

 

[snappy]

Had it for DD10. I thought it was mostly because I was older, age 42 when she was born. I was going to a high risk doc anyway so I found out early and got it under control. He said I was really borderline, so we just controlled it with diet. I did not have to see the doc more often, the company I worked for at the time had a nurse so she checked me every week.

The diet was strict but a good one. I walked alot during the pregnancy, every day at lunch. I was just a little overweight when I got pregnant. I ended up gaining about 19 pounds with the pregnancy. DD was 8 pounds 8 oz and very healthy.

One thing that high risk OBGYN told me at the time was to really watch my weight in the future, that if you have gestational diabetes you are at a higher risk of getting type 2 if you let your weight go. I did pretty well until about 4 years ago, am about 15 pounds higher than when I got pregnant. I am trying to lose about 25 pounds now.

Good luck.

 

[cats7494]

Thanks for the responses...it is always good to hear from people who have lived through it!

 

[BettyCv]

I had gestational diabetes during my triplet pregnancy. It is quite common in multiple pregnancies. Mine was kept under control through diet alone. Yay! Like the other poster, I followed the guidelines EXACTLY. In general, it is important to eat protein with every meal/snack, not just carbohydrates. If you do have GD, they will give you a handbook that tells you exactly what/when to eat. I had to test my blood sugar 4 times/day and I am a big chicken, but even *I* didn't have a problem with doing it!

As another poster said, it is important to know that having GD makes you more likely to get regular diabetes later. That risk is GREATLY reduced if you eat healthy and maintain a proper weight.

Good luck!!!

Betty

 

[Minnesota!]

I had gestational diabetes, I had to take insulin, check my blood sugar everyday. I was on all kinds of fertitlity drugs prior to conception and gain a ton of weight. The "good" thing about the gestational diabetes was that I really watched my diet and actually ended losing weight during pregancy.

As soon as DD was delivered, the nurse checked my blood and I was back to normal. They were monitoring it while I was in labor, and the instant (I kid you not) she came out all levels were fine. IMO, the words are much scarier, just watch your diet and I believe everything will be fine.

I could have written this myself. I was on fert meds, gained weight, dx with GD. I agree - the beginning, not knowing, is much scarier than the needles and blood draws. My blood sugar was normal immediately, too....

(((good luck with the test....)))

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I had it, but mine only had to be controlled by diet. I saw a nutritionist and had to be on a low-carb diet for the remainder of my pregnancy. It really wasn't so bad and I only ended up gaining 29 lbs (I was 10 lbs underweight when I got pregnant). My daughter was just barely 6 lbs when she was born (2 days overdue), which had my nurse dumbfounded. She kept saying to me, "But GD babies are usually large!" Guess I stuck to the diet pretty well, huh?

 

[becjlek]

I had it with both my boys. I was able to control it with diet. I checked my blood 3x a day. It wasn't so bad and what really helped me deal with it was knowing it was just temporary. During the holidays when there were so many treats, I picked my favorites and put them in the freezer for later. Then I rationed them out after my sons were born. Just keep reminding yourself, it is only temporary.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I was borderline with my DS11.
I had it at 7 months with DD9, controlled by a strict diet.
I never had it, nor was I borderline with DS3.

I have tried to have a healthy diet since my father died from complications from diabetes. This disease is on both sides of my family.


Lori

 

[cats7494]

Did any of you have any warning signs that you may have it?

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I had it when I was pregnant with DS. I was on a controlled diet, checked my blood sugar after every meal, and had insulin shots every night. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. It helped me maintain a decent pregnancy weight and DS was only 6 lbs, 5 oz when he was born. I was induced a week early.

As for signs I'd have it, I would say emphatically no. Even the doctors and the nutritionist were puzzled as to why I had GD.

 

[froglady]

I had it with both my boys. I was able to control it with diet. I checked my blood 3x a day. It wasn't so bad and what really helped me deal with it was knowing it was just temporary. During the holidays when there were so many treats, I picked my favorites and put them in the freezer for later. Then I rationed them out after my sons were born. Just keep reminding yourself, it is only temporary.

This is pretty much what I did. Since I had it with my first pregnancy, I was checked early in my second. I was under such good control that I only gained 7 pounds during the whole pregnancy (DS was 7lb 6 oz at 36 weeks), and I weighed less post-partum than pre. It got to the point where my OB told me to go out and eat some French Fries or bread. DS was born with an extremely low glucose so had to stay in the NICU until he was WNL.

 

[ahutton]

I had warning signs with DS (my 3rd baby) that I didn't realize were related, but as soon as I was diagnosed and changed my habits the symptoms cleared up. The most obvious was my eyes were "fuzzy" just a tiny bit out of focus, and I had headaches. When my sugar was well controlled it was fine. Ironically, even though I had GD, my sugars were never really out of whack. On the 3 hour screen it was high before I drank the stuff (fasting sugar was high) and it was high at the 2 hour mark, but at 1 and 3 hours it was acceptable.

For treatment I was 98% controlled by diet, but took Glyburide (2.5mg - very small dose) at bedtime with my last snack. That kept my fasting sugar right where it needed to be, or a little on the low side. I actually had a few times where my sugar fell too low (under 70) and was going towards hypoglycemic shock. I found one of those little packets of honey (I picked them up in a coffee shop) were a good thing to have as they were a quick fix.

DS was a CSection, but because he was in an odd position and I had other complications that made it necessary. His size was just about right - 7lbs 12oz.

 

[Swimnoid]

I had it with my DD who is 18 now. It was controlled with diet and exercise. A lot of my family has diabetes too. It isnt really hard to stick to the diet. I had tons of food to eat! It was just healthier and controlled by when to eat and such. And of course you're going to do that for your baby's sake so it wasnt that hard.

It was funny though because after her birth they served jello for lunch and it was soooo sweet I couldnt eat it. Lesson being dont go back to your old habits and you will can help prevent it later on.

 

[pattyT]

I had it with two out of three of my kids -
the first two -
why not with the third i STILL do not understand!
all diet control although the Dr with my first was threatening me with shots if I didn't get it under control!


no self test with #1
CONSTANT testing with #2 and #3 no big deal little strips - prick - just an annoyance.
watch diet -
No big...

Funny thing was after #1 was born the nurse brought me in a tray with a sandwish - white bread, chips, etc..
I said oh I have a special diet for the diabetes...
no your all set now -
it seemed so odd to me

 

[Tuffcookie]

I had it with my last pregnancy 14 years alo. I was told I would be at higher risk of it coming back later. Since then I have gone thru the change of life. Lately my fingers and toes are feeling numb and it's something that doesn't go away. I have a dr's appt. next week to discuss my concerns about diabetes coming back. I have started monitoring my blood glucose levels with a home monitor. Although it's reading in the normal range I have heard there is a more accurate test than the normal blood test. I believe they give you a glucose solution to drink and check your levels at different times during the day. I will ask the doctor about this when I go in.

TC

 

[kellydizfan]

I had it with all 3 of my kids. 1st one was boarderline and he was not worried about it, 2nd was high and did the diet thing. I walked everyday about a mile and a half and gained a pound. She was 6 lbs 11 oz and 1 day early. The third I had to watch right from the beginning. I gained 1 lb with him and he was 7 lbs 8 oz and a week early. I didn't walk with him like I did with my daughter and had a rough time with delivery. Walk plenty that is all I can say plus follow a dieticians diet of I think 1,800 calories a day. I had all three natural and no problems before or after. Kids are all fine and healthy.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I had it with my second pregnancy. The first one was "borderline", but it was high for the second. I had to test 4 times a day, but I was able to control it with diet alone. With the diet, I gained a lot less weight, which was good. A bigger baby can be a result of the diabetes. With my firstborn, I had to have a last-minute C-section due to his size (after pushing for 3 1/2 hours, he wasn't coming out). I was going to try for a VBAC with my second, but instead opted for the repeat C. My first was 8lbs. 3oz. My second was 8lbs. 9oz. Now I'm glad I went for the C, since she was bigger. I doubt she would have made it out, either.