gestational diabetes those who had it

JOAN - posted on 11/28/2012

HI I HAD GESTATIONAL DIABETES WITH MY DAUGHTER.MY FIRST PREGNANCY.WAS RETAINING ALOT OF FLUID WHICH I REPORTED MANY TIME TO MY DOCTOR AND ALSO WAS AT THE END RAVENOUSLY THIRSTY,AND CALLED MY DOCTOR AND WAS TOLD TO CUT UP CUCUMBER AND SALT IT AND EAT IT ALL.LIKE A WHOLE CUC!.

WHEN MY WATER BROKE IT WAS LIKE THE NIAGRA FALLS AND IT WAS STILL POURING OUT WHEN WE MADE THE QUICK TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL AND ,EVEN THEN THE NURSES HAD ME STANDING ON A BLANKET TO ABSORB THE WATER..

SHE WAS BORN AT 9 POUNDS,AND WE BOTH HAD TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A FULL WEEK,DUE TO MY MASSIVE SWELLING OF BOTH OF MY FEET,I COULD SEE THE WATER HANGING IN MY SKIN AND MY BABY WAS JAUNDICE. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE,WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS I HAD ONLY ONE CHILD,BUT SHE IS THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE,BUT MY DOC REALLY LET ME DOWN.,JOAN

Erine - posted on 01/16/2012

Oatmeal but not the instant kind (too much sugar) get steel cut oats and make a pot of it. You can then eat it all week long just by reheating it in the microwave. Make sure you have some sort of protein with your breakfast to help fill you up.

Kimberly - posted on 01/16/2012

it took me a while to find something that worked for breakfast for me. Skip cereal or oatmeal that will spike your morning numbers. I did half a whole grain bagel with some peanut butter then had the other half for my snack. Add some protien like an egg and that will sustain you better. Skip the fruit, fruit juice and milk..

Lori - posted on 01/16/2012

I was diagnosed a few weeks ago, but I can't seem to find a good breakfast to keep my numbers down. What have you had for breakfast that works?

Phyllis - posted on 10/27/2011

I had gestational. I had to go on insulin. As soon as she ws born the gestational went away. My daughter weighed 9 lbs. 2.5 oz. . Then two years later I tested postive for type 2 diabeties. My daughter didn't double her birth weight until she was over a year old. My ultra sound 3 days before she was born said she weighed 7 lbs. 5oz. Boy was that wrong!!!!!

Shanna - posted on 10/25/2011

I had gestational diabetes with my second child,it was diet controlled but i had a few high numbers and was worried i'd have to go on insulin.But i kept a diary and found when my numbers were up it was linked to something,i was in pain or rested alot that day.My doctor told me that was fine and my daughter was born 6lb 9 oz She had slight low blood sugar for the first twelve hours then was fine :)

Carrie Ann - posted on 10/22/2011

Hi I had gestational diabetes i was induced 11 days early but didnt have him till 3 days later he was born healthy 7lb 5oz no problems other than him getting stuck and having to have a emergency c section i had alot of quite high numbers i had to take metformin

Carrie Ann - posted on 10/22/2011

Hi I had gestational diabetes i was induced 11 days early but didnt have him till 3 days later he was born healthy 7lb 5oz no problems other than him getting stuck and having to have a emergency c section

Rebecca - posted on 10/19/2011

I was diagnosed in my 5th pregnancy and i was so scared of needles that i asked my doctor to induce me, he did but prior to that i had to have an amniosintisis (sp) which was a rather big needle. My son was born 4 weeks early he was 7pnds 7 oz so he was smaller than my other children he was born healthy..I do know that within 10 yrs of having gestantional diabetes that you having a higher chance of becoming a full diabetic.so thats something to watch for i had very high numbers but i was not willing to shoot insulin directly into my belly which is the requirement for gestational diabetes..i was closer to the end of my pregnancy so i was able to opt for induction..immediatly after birth they did give me shots of insulin but since then no problems, my son will be ten in december so i am trying to be careful in fear that i can become a diabetic.

Courtney - posted on 10/16/2011

my babys same thing just wach for it

Mary - posted on 10/15/2011

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my 3rd pregnancy. I would have high numbers too but it all depend on what I ate. I could feel my body not acting right when I had too much sugar or too much carbs. So watching what you eat is very important for you & your baby. I would check my numbers an hour after I ate. I didn't have to do any insulin either. I had so many ultrasounds & so many Non-Stress tests done that I can even recall. My doctor wanted to make sure that my son was active & that he was growing at the right size. I had my doctor strip me at 37 weeks & when I had him, he was a healthy 8lbs. & 5oz. Eat well, drink lots of water & check your numbers. Don't worry too much...it'll stress you out more. Good Luck!

Genevieve - posted on 10/11/2011

This is my third pregnancy with gestational diabetes. My sugars are occasionally high (1-2x a week). I try to walk for 30-45 minutes when they are high or do a easy aerobic exercise video. I also try to drink 64 ounces of water daily to keep my sugars down. My two kids were born healthy and thank the Lord did not have any major problems during L & D. Good news too, my blood sugar always returned back to normal after baby was born. Try to eat lots of veggies, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and try to keep your carbs at 15g for each meal or snack. I also try to eat 3 snacks (15 g carb+1 protein) 2 hours after each meal. My meals and snacks are smaller, but I process them better, and blood sugars seem to stay under control better when I do that. Hope that helps.

Dianne - posted on 10/03/2011

I had gestational diabetes with my 5th & 6th child. They did not discover this with my 5th child until after she was born. She was 11 pounds. I had lost 3 children in my 6th month. I didn't miscarry they just died in utero. I changed doctors because I felt the care was a bit lax. I was checked and diagnosed right away for GD with my 6th child and put on a diabetic diet which controlled it. He was 9 pounds. I am a small framed woman and all my babies were big.I believe now that I probably had GD with all my pregnancys and that was why the babies died in utero. I have 6 children. They are all healthy. adults now ranging from age 42 to 29. Stay strictly on the diet. GD can kill. I don't want to scare you but you need to know that if not controlled it CAN harm your baby. Your doctor is monitoring you and like I said FOLLOW YOUR DIET.

Deanna - posted on 10/03/2011

Yes my numbers were high at times. It's very frustrating, I know. My daughter was born 9 lbs 4 oz and her shoulder got stuck coming out vaginally, so the only effects for us was me having an episiotomy and my daughter needing an x-ray which came back fine. My OB/GYN had sent me to a dietitian who explained to me exactly how many 'carbs' I could have at each meal (6 small meals a day) and showed me what to look for on labels. Gotta read labels. Oh, and of course everyone's favorite- eat more veggies! :) As long as you are doing your best, don't worry. You will only raise your blood pressure! Just stay calm and cut back on the carbs. Best wishes and God Bless!

Nonie - posted on 10/02/2011

I had gestational diabetes with 3 out of my 5 pregnancies, all I did was to watch my diet, they were all born healthy. I did my blood test (s) every day..& rested when I could. Just get in tune with your body & it will tell you what it needs, BUT NOT SUGAR!, LOL drink water! You should be fine, I did the "sugar test", the full test w/ # 3, & also most past out , after hour 2, the others I did the 1 hour test & didn't do the full test, I refused...I knew I would not last & it wasn't good for me to go w/out "food" for that long..All I am saying is listen to your body, if you can't "do" don't!. Hope this helps...

Melanie - posted on 09/27/2011

I agree with Valerie. Actually I was borderline with my first and after doing some reading realized it does depend on the doctor as to the definition of "too high". Your body wants extra sugar in your blood to feed the baby so to a certain extent having high blood sugar while pregant is normal. Don't let them get too high and you'll be fine!

Rachael - posted on 09/26/2011

They should refer you to a gestational diabetes or diabetes educator as they would answer so many of your questions and concerns. You should be given a diet to follow and many women with gestational diabetes can control the diabetes with diet changes alone. You will need to probably test 4 times a day. 1st thing in the morning, then 2 hours after every main meal and your sugar levels should be within a certain range. If you can't control by diet alone you will take insulin. If you can keep your sugar levels within range it won't affect your baby hence for the testing. I am 33 weeks and my bloods are within normal range with diet alone. I am still testing every few days and keeping a food diary and see a specialist every 3 weeks.

Diane - posted on 09/26/2011

What kind of nutritional supplements are you using? There are 3 types. Ones that are all man made and don't have any enzymes in them and act as a stimulant. The 2nd are from some of the health food stores. They only have to be 15% natural to be classified as natural. The heat processing distroys a lot of the enzymes and also acts as a stimulant. The 3rd is all natural and classified as a food by the FDA. The others are classified as a drug by the FDA. If you want to find out more about the 3rd type, let me know or google Shaklee and find someone in your area that can explain the difference. It is very important.

Crista - posted on 09/26/2011

Yeah I can relate, I had it with both of my daughters, the best thing I can tell you is carb count, lower the amout of carbs you intake. There is this great book I used that has the carb count for about anything even fast food. It is a small book called calorie King. You can get it at Barns an noble. I could only eat 26 carbs per meal, when I was prego it is hard to do ,but it is totally worth it. You are going to be hungry all the time. You have to measure everything out too. My kids came out great. I actually lost weight when I was prego cause of the diet change. If you have anyother questions you can message me. Also the soreness in your fingers will pass, once you get used to pricking your fingers it gets easier.

Angie - posted on 09/26/2011

Hi Sonia...I'am a mother of 2 and with both pregnancy's I had the gestational diabetes and both my kids are very healthy kids, I ended up having both my kids earlier because of the gestational diabetes, but they both weighed over 6lbs and are both doing great...Some of my numbers were high, but I kept them under control the best I could...I had to be put on Insulin with both pregnancy's to control it...I hope this info has helped

Phyllis - posted on 09/26/2011

Yes sometimes I have high numbers. When Lauren was born they tested her and she did not have any signs of Diabertes. Even now at 14 yrs. old. I test her periodically and Praise the Lord, she still has no signs of it yet!!!!

Corinne - posted on 09/26/2011

Not quite on topic but wanted to give more info that might be helpful: look into Colostrum Harvesting, to help avoid formula use after birth, if that is a concern for you :)

Lois - posted on 09/26/2011

I had gestational diabetes when pregnant at 40 with my last child. He is 15 now and just wonderful. The diabetes disappeared after my c section, the baby was not large and now at 55 my blood sugars are still good. Hope this helps alleviate your worries!

Melissa - posted on 09/26/2011

I had gestational diabetes with both of my children. I would get scared, too, when my numbers were sometimes high. My children are now 7 and 4 and very healthy. We have seen no side effects from it. I know it is frightening but follow your doctor's orders, eat right, exercise and you will be fine!

Susan - posted on 09/26/2011

I had gestational diabetes with my now 5 month old but also other health probs not related to pregnancy. I too was diagnosed at 26 wks and had regular scans and I had many high readings but luckily by change of diet and taking the prescribed medication we kept it under control that way although close to the end there was a slight drop in my baby's weight gain so for that reason and my health I was started off 1 week early. Following that hospital messed up his birth weight so on 3rd day home he looked like he dropped a whole pound in weight. We were re admitted for George to have tests and they found George had slightly high sodium levels and his soft spot was sunk in a little. We had to express breast milk to give him in a little cup after a normal breast feed to get his fluid levels up. After 2 days we were back home but he still wasn't getting his weight up so had no choice but to combine breast and bottle feeds. We still do this now but George is a strong healthy baby and you wouldn't think now to look at him now he had any problems.

Lorraine - posted on 09/26/2011

I was diagnosed at 35 weeks would you believe. I managed to keep my numbers at a reasonable level however I know there is a chance Victoria may develop diabetes (she has a very sweet tooth ) and of course that I may also develop diabetes. I was 41 with that pregnancy

Honestly don't stress about it. Your dr will keep an eye on you and baby - don't waste energy with worry - that is what your dr is there to do. Enjoy the wonderful feeling of having a little person grow inside you However keep an eye on your baby as she/he grows up and maybe get tested for diabetes just in case. Be like me - accept what will be and just enjoy the blessings your child will bring to your life.

Lorraine

Kateryna - posted on 09/25/2011

I had it, I controlled it through my diet my son was born 3kg healthy, he is now 16months healthy and gets over cold very quickly . Keep to your diet and it will all work out

Eileen - posted on 09/25/2011

I ad gestational diabetes with my first boy, diagnosed early in the pregnancy, with VERY high numbers. It was monitored, and i am happy to say my son, now 23, was born very healthy, not large, 5lb 8oz, and is still healthy....

Nadine - posted on 09/24/2011

I had gestational diabetes with my third child. I didn't gain any weight at all, but she did. She was born healthy at 7lbs 7 ounces. Things to watch out for those 30 minute visits for monitoring at the hospital. Mine turned into 2 hour visits. As we spent each week trying to stop preterm labor. I was told if I got to 36 weeks they would let me have the baby then. By 36 weeks they got contractions to stop. We pulled her 9 days early- healthy and beautiful. I was also required to take a diabetes class from the hospital. remember if you have carbs just balance it out with protein. A bowl full of cereal on an apple, I always followed up with a spoonful of peanut butter. Don't worry as long as you eat right your baby should be healthy.

Kimberly - posted on 09/21/2011

I had it with my first child. Cut out all refined white sugar! Also, exercise is very important. I also found that taking chromium is very helpful. It's a mineral that is used by the pancreas to regulate sugar in the body. My daughter was born on time, weighing 7lbs, 4oz. She is healthy today!

Elexis - posted on 09/21/2011

I had gestational diabetes with both my girls...that being said it was completely different with both of them...my sugar was not a managed with my first one and well from what i was told with both when the numbers are over 250 that is when it messes with them...my numbers were all over with my first (now 6 almost 7) and she is my (sickly) kid...my range was better managed with my second and she is great and healthy,but i also have been breastfeeding her... They are all different and what happens with it will be ur choice in a way.. It by no means is easy but remember with ever shot u give yourself and everything u eat, that its for your baby!!! Thats one way to get through it...good luck...The up and down side is the xtra ultrasounds, yes they are known to cause harm but also good at the same time...by the end of both pregnancies i was having them every week to 2 weeks.

Kristine - posted on 09/20/2011

Ok. Here is what my doctor told me (probably to scare me into listening to her-but it worked and can happen). If the baby gets too big, such as the woman with the 12lb 10oz baby, if you go into labor earlier than you are going to be induced (which I was and you can request, especially with gd) if the baby is very big, it can get "stuck" in the birth canal, at which point they would have to reach in, and break the baby's clavicle to get him/her out. That was ALL I needed to hear. I watched my sugar/carb intake like a maniac! I really stopped having to check my sugars after awhile because I did NOT deviate from my dietitians plan, so I knew my sugars were low. Like, under 100. Now, I have known ONE person who went through this. Not me, my daughter was born 6lbs 9oz, is healthy, tests genius on IQ tests, and will be 10 next week. So, I was probably on the crazy low end of the spectrum, but I'll say this, I only gained 11lbs with my daughter, she was perfectly healthy, and I had almost no weight to lose after. Which helps with not developing ongoing diabetes. Also, i have a boy who is 2, and did not have GD with him, gained 25 lbs after learning that i could survive a pregnancy without giving myself the excuse to "eat for two" I had a LOT of sugar free cookies, pudding etc to help with my cravings during my GD pregnancy, and tried to stick to eating a lot of fish and veggies, which I like so it was easy. But any lean protein like chicken or turkey is also good. Try not to eat anything without a normal shelf life. If it won't go bad, it probably isn't good to eat. Good luck, you'll be fine, enjoy the bliss that you are about to embark upon!!

Mariyah - posted on 09/20/2011

Watch your carb intake, it always made my numbers go high. Especially after "fasting" which is pretty much when you wake up in the morning. I think you have a lot of great advice below! I had GD with both pregnancies and my kids are pretty perfect :) My insurance sent me to a nutritionist though, maybe you have access to such a resource at your hospital?

Melanie - posted on 09/20/2011

I had GD and had to give myself insulin shots twice a day. I gave birth to a very healthy baby girl on April 27th (2 weeks early) and she weighed only 6lbs 8oz. Immediately after giving birth my sugar levels returned to normal. As long as you are careful with your diet there shouldn't be anything to worry about in my opinion. Good luck!

June - posted on 09/20/2011

My numbers got very high during my second pregnancy. I ended up being hospitalized over it. My daughter was a big baby and was born 3 weeks early. Had she went to her due date, she would have been close to 12 lbs. Of course, my son was big too (9 lb 1oz) and I didn't have GD with him. And my daughter is healthy. She was on oxygen for a week after birth due to fluid in her lungs but she's 5 now and completely healthy.

Cindy - posted on 09/17/2011

Sonia, yes, I did have gestational diabetes and still have trouble with my blood sugar levels today... and my baby is 2. She is tremedously healthy, had a great c section birth. She was only 6 lbs, 13 oz. ( my smallest baby yet) and she has absolutely nothing wrong with her. I did have some pretty high numbers too. Just monitor monitor monitor! That is my best advise. Monitor what you eat, when you eat, what you drink, how much, and what the carbs and sugars are. You will find that celery with peanut butter can become your best friend.If you have insurance, you may want to look into a diabetes center to help you regulate your levels. I did do insulin shots twice a day. It was a lot of work... and i drank soooo much water... but it was worth every once of effort. Good luck, and hope all goes well with your pregnancy.

Valerie - posted on 09/16/2011

Just wanted to put a note on here that big babies are not just from diabetes in pregnancy. I am a regular diabetic and am at the end of my pregnancy and was placed on an extremely close watch by my regular high risk doctor and a specialist. The specialist loved to keep my numbers down towards hypoglycemic levels. Anyways, in my whole pregnancy I have only had my sugars high less than 5 times and my baby is measuring at 10lbs 8 oz at 38 weeks. His head and tummy measured out of range today and his femur measured at 41 weeks and 1 day. The reason I was watched so close in this pregnancy is because my first baby was 10 pounds at 37 weeks ( I was not diabetic with him). If large babies run in your family you will have a higher chance of having a large baby no matter if you have diabetes or not. So please if you do test positive for GD when pregnant also check to see if large babies run in your family. I found out to late with my first child. That little piece of information can be very helpful to your doctors weither you have GD or not.

Tonya - posted on 09/16/2011

I delivered a healthy baby,, they kept saying she was going to be BIG but she was a little over 7 lbs not my biggest baby by far... Anyway the point is keep up the good work keeping track of your numbers and watching everything that you eat and drink .. I am sure your doing great

Deonna - posted on 09/16/2011

I was diagnose around 27 weeks, my son was a little early, my numbers ran high all the time I ended up having to take insulin. he was fine and smaller than expected. what I done and im not recommending that you do this follow your doctors advice, but stay active if you have those cravings for the things you should not have and you eat them make sure you exercise to bring your levels back down and you and your baby should be fine...dont stress enjoy your baby.

Julie - posted on 09/15/2011

had g.d. with both pregnancies and had 2 heathly babies, one born 10 days early weighing 7lbs 10 ounces, one born 9 days weighing 7lb. 11 oz. Even with insulin, I had over 200 many a times with my first pregnancy, but it all still worked out OK. with the 2nd pregnancy, the dietician had me avoid milk and fruit until noon and that was just the trick I needed. I never went on insulin the second time because I got my morning numbers under control with no easy to digest dairy. Best of luck to you! remember that you can do anything you need to do for the 14 weeks between g.d. diagnosis and delivery!

Helen - posted on 09/15/2011

i was diagnosed quite early on. i was given metformin pills which didn't control anything and then i was moved to using those and insulin with every meal and over night. some days my sugar would be perfectly fine and other days it may be wildly out of whack. on talking to my specialist he said sometimes it just does what it wants. however they were predicting a huge baby as babies of diabetic moms can absorb way too much. so it was a case of strict diet and making sure there were no sugars or too much carbs in what i ate. My baby came out just fine and wasn't huge at all, and is a happy, healthy, bouncing bundle of joy!

Amanda - posted on 09/15/2011

I had GD with my son completely controled with diet and excerise he was born a little on the big side at 8lbs 11.5oz but he was mostly length. He is now a happy healthy almost 4 yr old who is smart as a whip (a few autistic traits but minor). On the sad side though my GD never went away and I am now a type 2 diabetic w/ P.C.O.S :-(

Itumeleng - posted on 09/15/2011

I am 34yrs old and i was diagnosed with diabetes in 1993 and i have been on insulin ever since.I have 4yrs old healthy daughter and I am now pregnant with the second child.You just have to seriously accept the situation and take really good care of yourself.Eat healthy.Do not worry everything will be OK and enjoy your pregnancy.God bless you.

THERESA - posted on 09/15/2011

Was this your first baby?
Do you still have diabetes?

Kirsty - posted on 09/15/2011

I was diagnosed with GD, I had high numbers 9-12 occasionally but I stuck to a really strict low GI diet, there are some great websites with some lovely recipes. My little girl was born healthy and now is a very bright and bubbly 2 1/2 year old. Just eat healthy and look after yourself. Also check that you are testing your BG at the correct time.

Miranda - posted on 09/15/2011

Hi I had GD and had to inject insulin from 28 weeks - not pleasent but gee did I feel better. My daughter was born at 37 weeks by C Section weighing 8lb, 14 and a half. She is the healthiest child around and now a happy 2 and a half year old toddler. Don't worry at all your bubba will be fine, just try and control what you eat during the pregnancy. Make sure you always wash your hands before doing your sugar or it can give a false reading. Good Luck

Anna - posted on 09/14/2011

I had GD with my last one and was able to control my #'s with my diet.Just cut out the carbs,and go for a walk everyday;it's really not that hard to keep it controlled.And you will be glad that you did it;for yourself and the baby.My son was born healthy and weighing only 7 1/2 lbs. Blessings!

Connie - posted on 09/14/2011

I had GD with my child. I was able to control my numbers with diet but my fasting numbers were still too high so I had to take the least amount if glyberide and that seemed to work for me. My child is normal and was only 6 lbs 12 ounces at birth. Her sugar was good at birth but my colostrum wasnt enough to keep her sugar up so we had to supplement with the breast feeding til my milk came in. Overall it turned out to be a good thing that I found out I had GD. I had gained 28 lbs. By 28 weeks. After I changed my diet I lost 3 lbs and only gained an additional 5 before she was born. Good luck and the fact that you care and are trying really hard is everything!!

Wendy - posted on 09/14/2011

I had it with my second child and she is perfectly healthy, now almost 6 yrs old. I was very careful with what I ate though, I did not often have high numbers. You must take it seriously and try not to have high numbers. Find what foods work for you and stick with them. I remember one morning I had Raisin Bran cereal thinking it was super healthy and my numbers sky rocketed. I called the nurse and she said Raisin Bran is packed with sugar. Make a menu of the foods they recommend, it is only for a couple of months and well worth it. I did have a friend who did not follow the menu and her baby was taken early through C Section b/c her numbers went so high that it put the baby in a dangerous situation. It is a short time and not a lot to sacrafice for the health of you and your baby.

Kylie - posted on 09/14/2011

hi, i had my first in 2008 and he was a massive 9lbs. he is happy and healthy, and has had no health issues (other then the odd ear infection etc). we monitored my blood sugar with my second (born may 2011), and i was very careful with what i ate, eg, not over eating and sticking clear of sugar as much as possible. thankfully i didn't have to take it further then that, and my daughter was a nice 7lbs. get your dr to give to a list of things to eat and/or avoid, which could help with baby size.