GD :: Gestational Diabetes {testing}

It's been confirmed, I have Gestation Diabetes.  Although it's not uncommon [2-10% of pregnant moms face this], it's definitely something I didn't expect and am very much not proud of, and pray it goes away right after delivery of H2.  Also something that poses risks for our little H2, which also makes the Hubs & I talk about future children, of lack-thereof really.

Risks for our little man... [per Baby Center]

It's important to keep your blood sugar levels in check because poorly controlled diabetes can have serious short- and long-term consequences for you and your baby.

If your blood sugar levels are too high, too much glucose will end up in your baby's blood. When that happens, your baby's pancreas needs to produce more insulin to process the extra glucose. All this excess blood sugar and insulin can cause your baby to put on extra weight, particularly in the upper body.

This can lead to what's called macrosomia. A macrosomic baby may be too large to enter the birth canal. Or the baby's head may enter the canal but then his shoulders may get stuck. In this situation, called shoulder dystocia, your practitioner will have to use special maneuvers to deliver your baby.

Delivery can sometimes result in a fractured bone or nerve damage, both of which heal without permanent problems in nearly 99 percent of babies. (In very rare cases, the baby may suffer brain damage from lack of oxygen during this process.) What's more, the maneuvers needed to deliver a broad-shouldered baby can lead to injuries to the vaginal area or require a large episiotomy for you.

Because of these risks, if your practitioner suspects that your baby may be overly large, she may recommend that you give birth by cesarean section. Fortunately, only a minority of women with well-controlled gestational diabetes end up with overly large babies.

In addition, babies who have excessive fat stores as a result of high maternal sugar levels during pregnancy often continue to be overweight in childhood and adulthood.

Shortly after birth, your baby may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) because his body will still be producing extra insulin in response to your excess glucose. This is much more likely if your blood sugar levels were high during pregnancy and especially during labor.

Your delivery team will test your baby's blood sugar at birth and continue to check it as needed by taking a drop of blood from his heel. Feeding your baby as soon as possible after birth, preferably by breastfeeding, can help prevent or correct hypoglycemia.

In severe cases of hypoglycemia, though, he'll be given an IV glucose solution. Testing your baby's blood sugar and providing an IV if necessary can prevent serious problems such as seizures, coma, and brain damage that might result if the condition were to go unnoticed.

Your baby may also be at higher risk for breathing problems at birth, particularly if your blood sugar levels aren't well controlled or you deliver early (the lungs of babies whose mothers have diabetes tend to mature a bit later). The risk of newborn jaundice is increased, too.

If your blood sugar control is especially poor, your baby is at risk for polycythemia (an increase in the number of red cells in the blood) and hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood), and your baby's heart function could be affected as well.

Some studies have found a link between severe gestational diabetes and an increased risk of stillbirth in the last two months of pregnancy. And, finally, women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk for developing preeclampsia, particularly those who are obese before pregnancy or whose blood sugar levels are not well controlled.

I've since attended my 'Gestational Diabetes Class.'  I must admit, I was severely disappointed!  I guess I was just hoping they would give advice on meal ideas and things like that.  But really it was 1. science talk about cells and why it's bad to have GD. and 2. a lecture session to eat pure, natural, fruit and vegetables.  Which really, don't we all know that?!  Obviously if I liked fruits and 'approved' vegetables I would eat them, don'tchathink?!  Things went south fast when she told me it was really a mind over matter thing.


What I did get from the meeting was my tester {how to test and when to test}.  My fasting blood sugar level should be less than 95 and my blood sugar level 2 hours post meal should be less than 120 per my OB physician.

I test {poke my finger and get a reading} when I wake up.
Then I eat breakfast [up to 15 carbs.  Carbs aren't recommended first thing in the morning] which is an english muffin with peanutbutter or scrambled eggs with ham and cheese.
Two hours later I test {& pray it's under 120!}
Then I eat a snack [up to 15 carbs, so a granola bar or a few Triscit Thin Crisps and a string cheese]

Then I eat lunch [up to 60 carbs is what they say, but I never pass if I eat that many, so I stick to about 40.  Also, I have to eat 100% Whole Wheat or I fail!] which is usually meat of some sort from the night before with a very small side with a Sugar Free chocolate.
Two hours later I test {& pray it's under 120!}

Then I eat a snack [up to 15 carbs, so a granola bar, almonds, or some popcorn]

Then I eat dinner [up to 60 carbs is what they say, but I never pass if I eat that many, so I stick to about 40.  Also, I have to eat 100% Whole Wheat or I fail!] which is usually meat of some sort a very small side of pasta or potato.
Two hours later I test {& pray it's under 120!}
Then I eat a snack {I hate doing this, because in my mind you never eat after dinner, but they recommend this to help from 'crashing' in the night, so I do}.

So far, I've failed a lot.  I'm slowly ruling food out.  Basically any prepackaged foods make me fail.  Pasta sauce is something I have to be careful with.  And again, anything that isn't 100% Whole Wheat seems to make me fail.  But I think my readings are getting better overall.  I'll take all my numbers in before my OB appointment Friday and they'll determine if any medication {oral or injections} will be needed.

8 more weeks...

I just pray H2 doesn't get too big & we're able to make it full term.  I want a healthy little boy more than anything in this world!