Gestational Diabetes
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Gestational Diabetes
Feb 2008
Just looking for any hindsight sort of advice from women who
were diagnosed with GD. I have been referred to the ''sweet
success'' program thru East Bay Perinatal. Any advice as I deal
with this? I am really healthy, low BMI, exercise regularly but
am 42 - guessing its really my age that is doing it (did not
have GD with first pregnancy). I am 27 weeks along.
Anything you wish you had done or known when you got this
diagnosis? Or anything you wish someone had told you? Any other
great resources - people/books/etc? Advice in archives is from
2003. Thanks so much.
I was also really surprised to be diagnosed with GD. I sat in
the doctor's office and cried...when she asked what was wrong I
sniffed, ''I just love CARBS!'' Shortly thereafter I realized I
actually felt as if I'd done something wrong during my pregnancy
to get this diagnosis and that it was going to hurt my baby.
Neither of those things are true, of course, and my son was born
perfectly perfect at 7 pounds and 2 oz.
I went through the Sweet Success program also. It's not
great...I always felt like I'd rather eat a little real sugar
than a lot of fake sugar, but this diet is all fake sugar. And
all those nitrites you were avoiding in the beginning seem to go
out the window. There are things like baloney and bacon and hot
dogs on that diet. It seemed to me that they didn't care if all
my arteries clogged as long as the baby was healthy!
The first day I got so dizzy from the lack of sugar that I had to
pull over and sit, so be careful about cutting sugar out
completely right away.
You have to test your blood 4 times a day, which isn't as bad as
it sounds. Your fingers get really sore after doing it for a few
weeks, so I'd suggest alternating not only your fingers for each
test, but the sides you test on as well.
After a week or so you figure out what causes your sugar to rise
and what doesn't. French fries, sadly, sent mine through the
roof, but some nights if my sugar was really low after dinner I
would have real ice cream, test, and be fine.
My only really bad experience having GD was with Dr. Janet
Goldman at the clinic when I went for my diet follow-up. She was
so HORRIBLE to me that I cried all the way home.
I'm happy to answer any questions if you'd like to email me.
It's a pain to have GD, but it's only for a short time that you
have to follow the funky diet...and it gives you a good sense of
where all those hidden sugars are. AND you can eat a big old
pint of Ben and Jerry's after you deliver, just like I did! ;-)
Audrey
no specific help, but my sister had this, just cut out sugar
during pregnancy, did just fine, normal birth, normal kid....
GD is overdiagnosed. The glucose tests have a very high false
positive -- about 1/3 of the tests women who test ''positive'' do
not in fact have diabetes on further testing. The ''positive''
results need to be followed up by fasting blood glucose tests (no
glucola, just fasting blood sugar). Continue to watch your diet
and exercise, but ask for follow-up tests.
Gestational Diabetes is often diagnosed, but not always a
problem. Having a positive result on the glucose test means you
need to watch your sugar and weight gain, and you also need to be
vigilant about diabetes after you give birth. Having GD means
you have a higher risk of having type II diabetes after you give
birth.
East Bay Perinatal is a high-risk clinic. They take any and all
risks (no matter how slight) seriously, and plan for the worst
case scenario. In the case of your diagnosis, the risk may be
small, but they will make a mountain out of it.
By the way, it's a good idea to get copies of test results from
East Bay Perinatal. They had someone else's records in my chart.
They did do a good job overall, they just have some filing
problems.
anon
I was diagnosed with GD about 6 years ago. Two pieces of advice.
First, I'd go to the East Bay Perinatology program, and stick to their
(somewhat draconian!) advice as closely as possible -- I did, and had
a completely healthy baby. Second, given that you say you are very
healthy and have low BMI, I'd watch carefully what happens after you
give birth. I'm not particularly overweight, but my diabetes never
went away. After a couple of difficult years of treatment for Type 2
diabetes (during which time I kept getting worse), it was finally
determined that I actually have Type 1 (autoimmune). The only
effective treatment is insulin. I was unaware that this could develop
in adults, but it can. Once I finally started getting proper
treatment, I felt a whole lot better!
Karen
Sorry about your diagnosis. I'm in my second GD pregnancy at age 40
with no other risk factors. Sweet success is a great program--very
helpful and supportive. They will take great care of your pregnancy.
There is no hindsight in my case. Just do your best to keep your
blood sugars normal (they will tell you how in your particular case).
This makes your risk of complications similar to someone who doesn't
have GD. As someone who has never dieted before GD, I was unprepared
for how difficult it could be to stay on the diet at times. Also, in
the beginning, you can experiment a little to figure out your body's
particular sensitivities. In my case, for example, I can eat things
with a little sucrose (dark chocolate, jam, even very rich ice cream
or cheesecake) but cannot have even half a slice of white bread or any
refined grain, for that matter. You can figure this out by testing
after every meal and snack at first and keeping good records.
Good luck and just remember, it's only for a few months!
sweet mama
I had GD with both my pregnancies, and have sometimes tested for
excess sugar at other times, but have never been diabetic. My babies
were very healthy, though too big (8.13 and 9.3). I eliminated
sugar and ate whole grains and healthy foods and still flunked the
never-ending urine and blood tests. Years later I realized that it
wasn't the sugar, it was the carbs that did me in. That, and the
weight gain (nearly 60 lbs with the first one). So, if I had it
to do over again, I'd skip the bagels and pasta and dial up the
protein and leafies and dairy. And not gain 60 pounds!
Good luck!
I had GD too and just wanted to add a few things I found.
I was with Kaiser and they put me on a program of certain
servings of protein or carbs or milk etc - how much and at what
time. I think it was every 2 hours. I checked my blood 4 times
a day - first thing in the morning and exactly 1 hour after each
meal.
One thing I found during the program was food combining and food
prep made a big difference. If you you are dying to eat
something you shouldn't (once in a while it seems impossible to
avoid) add a protein in that meal. The way you cook a food also
makes a difference, a boiled egg is better than a fried egg -
fried foods and fatty foods can really push up the levels. I
always had the crazy craving for a chocolate croissant which
seemed like an impossibility with the sugar, carbs and fat but I
found I could easily eat half of one without a problem if I ate
it directly after eating half a veggie sandwhich (dark bread,
mustard (no mayo), pickles, lettuce, cheese and avocado (I called
this my magic sandwhich). A small cheese quesadilla regularly
got a horrible reading unless I added lettuce.
I read others mention substituting fake sugar for the real stuff
- boy that really sounds like a bad idea.
The lucky thing for me in getting GD was that I got an ultrasound
at 37 weeks to see if the baby was big from my GD. I had to
insist upon this as my dr didn't think it was a problem based
upon feeling my stomach but it is a common complication and if I
were you I'd insist upon it. Well the size of our baby was fine
but it was found I almost had NO fluid. I never would have known
this or been monitored for it without the ultrasound.
anon
Sept 2005
I recently had my glucose screening tests and though I do not
have gestational diabetes, my doctor recommends that I go to the
Sweet Success program with East Bay perinatal. She considers
me ''borderline'' and would prefer to be safe than sorry.
Have others NOT had gestational diabetes before but
considered ''borderline'' and what was your outcome? What have
people's experience been with the sweet success program?
Any advice would be appreciated. I love and trust my ob/gyn but
would like to hear other mothers' experiences.
Thank you.
anonymous
I had gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy (confirmed by the
3-hour test) and went to the Sweet Success program. My nutritionist was
Missy and she was great. I found it very helpful to have someone who
could assist me in understanding how to eat for gestational diabetes.
The thing I did not like was that every appointment included a visit
with an ob who measured me and did all the same things my regular ob
did. I suppose I could have said something and maybe I could have
skipped that part, I don't know. You might ask about that.
For my second pregnancy, my ob had me on the diabetic diet and
monitoring my sugars from my first visit. As a result, I passed the
one-hour test. I did not visit the Sweet Success program this time
around. However, since I was monitoring my sugars, I could see that I
had occasional high blood sugar readings, which it would seem I should
not have if I didn't have gestional diabetes. So, we agreed that I was
probably a ''borderline'' case.
I must admit that I did not monitor my sugars very closely (i.e.,
4x/day), although I did stick to the diet. My son was born at 36 weeks
and spent a week in the NICU and although a blood test confirmed that my
blood sugars had been staying in a normal range, I still worry that his
early birth was somehow related.
There was no explanation for why he came early.
So my advice would be to do the Sweet Success program and live like you
are diabetic. It can't hurt and you may avoid problems that way. On
the plus side, I only gained a healthy 25 pounds with each pregnancy and
was able to lose it pretty painlessly.
Erin
I, too, was considered to have borderline gestational diabetes.
I went to sweet success and had mixed feelings. The dieticians were very
helpful and really taught me how to navigate meal planning, carb
counting, etc. I found the diet to be very helpful as far as curbing
excessive weight gain and eating healthfully. I got a glucometer and
checked my blood sugars four times a day, and managed to keep the
diabetes under control with diet alone. However, the visits with most of
the doctors there were not helpful and felt very rushed. They didn't do
anything more than the regular OB visits and I didn't think it was
necessary to see them so often. I suppose it might have been different
had my sugars been out of control. If nothing else, it is worth a visit
to the dieticians there.
anon
i was considered borderline g.d. with my second pregnancy and went to
the sweet success program. i religiously followed the diet guidelines
and controlled my sugars only with diet. (maybe it was easier since i
was borderline, i'm not sure.) it is a VERY strict diet, not even
allowing catsup. i figured it was best for me and the baby to play it
safe. even though it was hard and i certainly had my moments of 'why
me?' it is generally a very healthy way to eat and i've since adapted
some of the guidelines. one bonus was that even though i was eating 3
meals + 3 snacks / day i didn't gain a pound in the last 2 months of my
pregnancy. (somehow i made up for that after i had the baby, but that's
another
story.) feel free to contact me with any questions.
emily
I also was considered borderline and reluctantly followed my doctor's
orders to do the Sweet Success program. I learned very little from
meeting with the Sweet Success consultants, but I did learn a lot from
the experience overall (like measuring my glucose levels and
experimenting with my diet and exercise). Thanks to the program, I only
gained 20 pounds during pregnancy (I am considered average-weight).
However my baby was born 9 pounds 3 ounces! So it seems like if I had
not followed the diet, then my baby would have been even larger.
Jennifer
I strongly suggest you are following the diet. I had borderline blood
sugar levels, not really gestational diabetes, but started a diet
immediately. The risks for the baby are too high, not to forget your own
risk of getting diabetes when you are older.
My blood sugar levels turned normal after just 2 weeks. I stayed
cautious even though the doctor stopped the actual diet.
,
I am a Type I diabetic and my OBGYN had me go to the Sweet Success
program in additon to seeing her. I am really glad I did. Although I did
not have them deliver our daughter I went to their offices regualrly to
get weighed, monitored and met with nutritionists. They take great care
of all the patients (I did find that I was one of the few people with
health insurance in the waiting room - many were state subsidized). But
they watched you closely and it was good to be watched by a group who
understood diabetes. Although it was extra work to go to 2 OBs during
the pregancy having diabetes puts you in the high risk category and you
definitely want the ultimate care for you and your baby. We had a very
healthy baby girl and I was in great control. Good luck.
Type 1 diabetic mom
June 2005
I have gestational diabetes, so I shouldn't go past my due
date. I will start my 40th week next week. My doctor wants me
to go in on Monday, he wants to induce me first, and if that
fails, try for a C-section. Based on all I have read about
being induced, I wonder if I shouldn't just go straight for the
C-section? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Nervous with GD
I too had gestational diabetes with my first child. I had a cesearian because she was also breach. I had a perfectly easy time with it and a fairly easy recovery. In fact, according to many of my friends who had vaginal deliveries my recovery was easier than theirs. So, I can only say that when it came time for me to choose with my second baby, I chose the cesearian right away.
2 time c-sectionee
Hi, I had gestational diabetes when pregnant with my first last year. I was scheduled to be induced but went into labor two days before. My labor ended being very painful, contractions really intense and close together but I totally was not dialating. So I got an epidural and potosin, which as you probably know is the basics of induction. So, because I was not progressing even after that I had a c-section and it turned out that the baby's umbilical cord was wrapped around her shoulders, therefore not descending. What I really regret is not being able to go through the actual birth process of pushing. I still wish I could go through it again and actually get to push. Without an epidural, being induced is really painful, they contractions are really intense but the pushing is shorter (as told to me by a friend of mine who was incduced once and not another). If you have the epidural there is no pain but the process can be longer and more exhausting. I think the main thing is are you willing to miss out
My close friend had a homebirth last year and she had gestational diabetes....so my only suggestion is to research ALL your options before making a decision. Your doctor might not be giving you the full range of options, as they think mostly in terms of worst-case scenarios, etc. It's totally possible to have a natural birth with gestational diabetes.
Best of luck to you and your baby--you'll be fine!
anon
I have type 1 diabetes. I was also encouraged to induce labor early or on my due date to avoid potential problems. I decided not to take my doctor's advice since I'd always wanted to experience ''natural''
childbirth. When I was 10 days overdue I decided to go ahead and get induced (much to my doctor's relief). I was admitted Friday evening to start the process. My daughter was born Monday morning when I agreed to have a C-section. Nothing went the way I wanted it to, but it all worked out in the end. (She was 9# 4oz.) I can't tell you what to do, but in retrospect it sure would have been easier in my case to just have a C- section. You could try accupuncture to induce labor - that works for some people. A lot depends on your control during pregnancy - if your blood sugars have been near normal most of the time - there are less risks. Good luck.
Melanie
I would recommend trying induction first. Of course, it depends on how attached you are to experiencing vaginal birth. When you say you are concerned after reading negative things about induction, are you also considering the negative aspects of c- section? If you do go for induction, do not allow them to use the drug Cytotec (sp?) which is very dangerous; make them write in your chart that you do not want this drug. There are plenty of safer drugs to induce labor. Also, there are alternative therapies that can help with gestational diabetes such as Chinese medicine or homeopathy. Good luck in whatever decision you make.
Best Wishes in your process
I was induced with gestational diabetes at 37 weeks (water broke but contractions never really started). You sound like you have heard horror stories about induction. It wasn't the most fun I've ever had in my life (contractions did come every 2 minutes for the whole 9 hours of labor, and were painful enough I got an epidural), and I was completely exhausted afterward, but on the plus side, 4-5 days later I felt absolutely great, and was taking long walks in the hills. Don't think you could do that with a C-section...
Just a thought...
Hi, I was induced with my first child because of preeclampsia and everything went very well. The only negative thing about induction that I found was pitocin makes your contractions very strong and very close together so I would definitely go with pain medication! Of course, I don't have a ''normal'' labor to compare it too, but from everything that I've heard, pitocin can make it worse. I have nothing against a cesarean but do have a couple of friends who had to have one and they feel ''cheated'' out of a ''normal'' birth. I personally think any birth is normal as long as mother and baby are fine. With diabetes, your baby may be larger than average, but I say you should at least try an induction. Knowing your situation, your Dr will have everything prepared for a C-section if it looks like it has to go that way. Hope I helped!
Amy
I also had gestational diabetes, well-controlled with diet alone. I was induced with pitocin at 41 weeks, and although the labor was very painful, I made it through and had a very healthy baby. All women and all labors are different, of course, but I wouldn't have done it any differently. Good luck!
Been there!
Do you have any idea how much the baby weighs? My ob did a sonogram at
36 weeks to determine the size of the baby. I was told she already
weighed over 8 lbs. It was estimated she would be over 10 lbs by 40
weeks so my doctor recommended that I have a cesarean. Many women
deliver large babies safely, however, my ob told me that when the mother
has gestational diabetes, the babies shoulders tend to be wider than
usual, and that the babies tend to have more respitory problems.
Therefore, there is an added risk to the baby during a vaginal delivery
when the mother has gestational diabetes. I had taken the Bradley
course
(12 weeks of classes to prepare for a vaginal delivery), and was
disappointed that I would have to have a cesarean, but I did what I
thought was in the best interest of the baby. As it turned out, we did
not get good information from the sonogram, at 39 weeks, my daughter was
born weighing 7 lbs 10 oz. I was not upset with my ob, she made her
recommendation based on looking at all the circumstances (this was my
last chance to have a child, age/fertility issues). But if I had to do
it over, I would still want to do a vaginal birth vs. cesarean.
anon
I never saw your actual question, so I hope this helps. With my first
pregnancy, I was huge (probably had gest. diabetes that wasn't
detected.) After epidural and pitocin failed, I ended up with a
c-section, only to then find out that the baby was breached. Needless
to say, I switched doctors. My recovery after the c-section wasn't too
bad physically, but emotionally, it really affected me. There's a lot I
couldn't do after the c-section, and because of pain, I felt confined to
home. When I became pregnant the second time, I had gest.
diabetes, and was administering insulin once a day, and on a very strict
diet and exercise routine. I really wanted to experience vaginal birth,
and I insisted with my doctor, who was fantastic, and completely
respected my decision. One day before my due date, I started leaking
amniotic fluid, and any doctor would have at that point suggested a
c-section. Since my doctor knew that this was my last option, she
suggested I spend the night at the hospital, and administered a very
very low dose of pitocin in the morning. That was enough to put me in
labor, and shortly thereafter, I got an epidural shot. The baby was
born that evening, after hours of pushing. She was
9.5 pounds, and completely healthy. I didn't have any problems, and
recovered right away. I was up and about the second day, and couldn't
believe what a difference a vaginal birth made. It felt amazing, and I
felt in complete control of my body. After the c-section it had taken
me at least 6 weeks to recover. Whatever decision you make will be the
right one for you, but I suggest that you don't let your O.B. scare you
or talk you into a c-section. Also, no matter what others say about how
easy it is to recover from a c-section, just keep in mind that it is
major surgery. The last thing is that you can be induced with the
lowest dosage of pitocin possible, and take it from there. After just a
little dialation, you can get epidural. I hope this helps. Good Luck!
VBAC with gestational diabetes
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