just found out I have gestational diabetes

[ceile]

any moms here been through it? Is it difficult to manage? I have an appt next week w/ a dietitian to go over diet and exercise. What really sucks it that I don't fall into any of the predisposed categories except my age- over 35. This is my first kiddo. Kinda freaked out so patented lounge vibes much appreciated...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Major vibes to you, my dear ceile!

I've never experienced this one, so I can't help you with suggestions...

All I have are hugs!

I hope all will be well!

[ceile]

10. Thanks Peggy! n/t

[MiddleFingerMom]

2. Major vibes coming your way. Some forms of diabetes can be controlled, even conquered...

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... by simple diet and exercise. Stay in close touch with your doctor about it.
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And here's a good place to start researching:
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http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/
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[ceile]

11. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the link!

[In_The_Wind]

3. You may have all the vibes you need.

I know from personal experience how adult onset diabetes can change everything.

I think my problems stared while I was working in a business that
doesn't provide time for meal breaks. [img][/img]

[hedgehog]

4. Look at the bright side - indentifying this and doing something about

it is 100 times better than not knowing! Best wishes going your direction!

[d_r]

5. it will be OK

Most - but not all - women women with gestational diabetes go back to normal blood sugar after giving birth. There is an increased risk for developing diabetes later though so you will want to keep a good eye on your sugar levels.

The important thing for now is keeping healthy during the pregnancy - follow their advice about diet and exercise.

Babies born to moms with gestational diabetes tend to be on the big side, so they will probably keep a close eye on the size of the baby and the baby's head, because you may become a candidate for C-section if the baby grows too large for vaginal delivery.

[ceile]

12. That's what I'm worried about most.

I don't want a "fat" baby- c-sections take forever to heal and are incredibly painful (so my friends tell me). Just want kiddo to be normal and healthy w/ no issues of his own in the future...

[sharp_stick]

15. C-sections aren't as bad

as you may have heard at least according to my wife. We had to have all three of our little ones by C-section for medical reasons.

My wife was out of the hospital in 4 days and would have been out after 3 if the little one wasn't stuck in the special care nursery.

That being said my wife has a pain tolerance that I think would have made her a great candidate for a spy during the cold war...she would never break under torture.

The "fat baby" results from gestational diabetes can be reduced if you can control the blood sugar levels and your progress is monitored well by your OB/GYN. This is rarely a cause for concern if you have regular and good quality pre-term care.

Best of luck, try not to worry too much. You and your baby will be fine.

[ceile]

19. Thank you.

Need all the encouragement I can get right now...

[NightWatcher]

16. If your Dr is pushing for a C Section because of "large baby"

Go talk to another Dr. My wife was pushed into a CSection because our baby was "looking big". She was born 8lbs 4oz and my wife hates that she was forced to get the C. Talk to the natural birthing groups/doulas if you can find some.

Good luck and don't be forced to do what you don't want to do.

[ceile]

17. No, no. Doc has never said the "c" word

That's just my fear. If baby is healthy, I wouldn't mind early induction to avoid it.

[RiffRandell]

20. My c-sections were no big deal.

I was on my feet in a couple days. I heard such horror stories from my friends that delivered vaginally ("tearing" and not able to sit down for a week) I'm glad I had them. They were also for medical reasons.

I wasn't overweight when pregnant but both times had to go for the 3 hour test as they thought I had it but it turned out negative. I was glad because I loved my sweets while pregnant, but my kids were both big--son was 10.7 and daughter was 9.9---another reason I was happy for the c-sections. My husband and I were both big babies, so I guess it was genes.

Don't worry---I know it's hard not to, but listen to your doctors and don't believe that stuff about the c-sections. I could be an exception, but mine went great. My kids were in NICU for about 24 hours because their lungs didn't clear out as they didn't go through the birth canal, but no big deal.

Good luck and keep us posted---it's an exciting time!

[libodem]

6. I thanfully did not experience that one

When I was working as a nurse our ward clerk was diagnosed with type 2. Those unit clerk types have to almost be OCD as it is, to make no errors in the charts and med sheets, and she approached her dx the same way.

She went straight to Humphries Diabetic center and got a study medication, for free, and the attended the classes and lectures. One of the 'lessons' was an experiment. One day she was to take her blood glucose (BG) before her lunch, eat lunch, and go ahead and stay at her desk, then take another BG in a half an hour. The next day, same lunch same BG's but she she was to to take a 30 minute walk around the grounds before the last BG. The numbers were very different. The walking burned the excess sugar and brought it way down.

I really picked something up from her experiment. It really does lower your BG to exercise. Also drinking water helps to flush excess out. Both things won't hurt your pregnacy. They are good for you.

[ceile]

14. That's interesting.

I guess I can start by walking the dog in the morning after breakfast and again in the afternoon (which is our normal routine). Good for her and for me...

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Try this for breakfast:

Oatmeal, blueberries, crushed pecans, two teaspoons of almond butter and a splash of protein shake to mix it all together.

Avoid coffee because it will accelerated the effects. Avoid excessive sugar--you are the best judge of how much is too much. I was gestational for both pregnancies and all it was for me was a warning of things to come. It was a predisposition that will get triggered from bad experiences or bad health issues.

Exercise is wonderful to counter it.

[Rosie1223]

8. I had it with 2 of my pregnancies.

This was 20+ years ago but I had to follow a strict diet, limiting calories, portions and snacks. I went from eating for 2 back to eating for 1. I felt starved all the time.

I had to have weekly blood sugar tests and fetal monitoring. Not bad, just a bother to leave work and go to the clinic.

Everything went smoothly for me, delivery-wise and I have had normal blood-sugar tests ever since.

Vibes for you but I'm sure things will go well, just follow your doctor instructions.

Rosie

[RebelOne]

9. My daughter-in-law had it,

but it disappeared after the baby was born. I do not know what type of treatment she had. I think you will be OK. Good luck.

[woodsprite]

13. I had it with my 2nd.

They had hubby and I watch a movie, counseled me on nutrition and gave me a food plan that looked a lot like a weight watchers tracker. They gave me testing strips for ketones, as well as a glucose monitor with strips.

I was lucky and was able to control mine through my diet. If we went to our usual pizza place, I would split an antipasta salad with my husband, have only 1 slice of veggie pizza and a glass of milk. The most interesting restrictions were *having* to eat the bedtime snacks - cheese cubes with 1/2 apple, a pb/graham cracker or whole wheat toast w/ mashed egg, or a small handful of almonds and 1/3 cup of haagen daz. It's the only time in my life I've actually looked forward to having ice cream. Apparently the protein together with the high fat content caused the carbs to be released more slowly overnight so the morning blood sugar readings were more stable.

It was all very doable, but we found that skim milk was a real trigger food for me. I had to get a majority of my dairy through other options like yogurt, cheese, etc. For awhile, the dietitian had me fill out my blood sugar readings online daily and she would review/tweak my eating plan. The last month or so, they let me turn in the readings weekly. I guess I had stabilized enough.

For what was supposed to be the last 8 weeks they had me come in and they would do a stress test (just an ultrasound) and estimated measurements on my son. I ended up going into labor 4 wks early because I fell. I was glad they were off with the measurements, because they thought he was going to be almost a 10lb'er, but he weighed in at 6.6 lbs.

Hmmm, last night as I stood in the kitchen looking up at him (12yo now), he told me he finally outweighs our dog -- 101lbs!

One thing the counselor told me was that they usually just trash the glucose monitors after your final post-partum appointment. She said if I would use it, she'd just let me keep it since once you have GD, you're more likely to develop Type 2 within 10-12 yrs. and it could help me keep watch on myself. You may want to ask if they have the same policy.

[ceile]

18. I drink skim milk everyday.

I crave it. I think I can handle the bedtime snacks.
Glad you and your boy are well!

[logosoco]

21. Been there...my babies are adults now though.

I had to take insulin shots twice a day and check my blood sugar about 5 times a day. Not fun, but it was certainly for a good reason.
The diet was very common sense...three meals, three snacks. The portions seemed small at first, but I got used to it. Some food was considered free, things like celery. Peas and corn were not vegetables anymore, they were starches!!
The births went well, although they were prepared for c-sections since I was considered high risk. My daughter was 7 pounds 6 ozs., A year and a half later...same shots, same diet...and my son arrived weighing 9 and a half pounds. That might have been a c-section but an ultrasound earlier in the day said he was probably 7ish. They were amazed when he came out (as was I). A few years later with baby number three I did not have the GD. I always suspected being active with the other two kept my blood sugar more level. She weighed over 8 pounds.

I did feel a little like I could not indulge in cravings, but that wasn't too much of a problem. I do remember them saying this would predispose me to diabetes. Now in my late forties, I am usually careful about what I eat so I do not become too over weight. I have not had my blood sugar checked in years (no insurance).

Happy vibes to you and the baby!

[Grantuspeace]

22. My x had it with our two kids.

Your doctor will probably send you to a dietitian. My x had to change her diet and use insulin. It was amazing to see her be so focused when it came to the health of our two unborn babies. She was induced both times and delivered vaginally both times. Be diligent and you and baby will be fine!