Advice needed!

Alyssakoch3

This has been a terrible pregnancy....I had morning sickness from 8 weeks up to 24 weeks where I couldn't keep any food down. They put me on medication for that and it somewhat helped. After that, I tested positive for GBS so was put on antibiotics while still on medication for nausea. My doctor then added in protonix for acid reflux thinking that would help with my nausea, and it has. THEN I tested positive at about 26 weeks for GD and have been monitoring 4 times a day since. I've been doing really well with monitoring, but as the pregnancy continues, things that I used to be able to eat aren't working anymore and making my blood sugar elevate. My dr. Told me that we would schedule an induction for 39 weeks because she wanted to make sure baby's size was ok. Last week, week 34 I got really bad contractions and went into the hospital to be monitored and was given more medication to stop the contractions. My doctor said that at that point, my cervix was still high and that they wanted to stop contractions. She said that if it had been week 35, this week, she wouldn't have stopped anything. This weekend I can tell that she dropped down. You can physically see it and I can now feels my ribs and breath easier. I go in tomorrow for my weekly appointment and am afraid that my dr. Is going to want to put me on medication for the GD, either oral or insulin and I do NOT want to give my baby anything else. I feel like she's been drugged up this entire pregnancy and I feel terrible about that. I feel like it's my body that is rejecting this pregnancy.

Would it be terrible to decline the additional medication and ask about induction? Please no negative comments, this has been the WORST experience of my life and I'm really just ready for all of this to be over with and make sure that she is healthy. Support and advice are welcomed, sorry for the lengthy post.

SucitUp

Yes in my opinion it would be terrible to ask for an induction just because you don't want to take medication that will actually be helping your levels. The meds are not harmful drugs so there's no real reason to decline them.

abbymessina

Myself I suffered from severe nausea and vomiting the first 17 weeks of my pregnancy where I too was taking two different medications to try to keep good down so I definately know what that's like. The rest I can't relate. At 35 weeks baby should be ok if born now and I can understand you not wanting anymore drugs in your system for yourself and your baby. I personally may consider the same if I was in your shoes. Good luck with whatever you decide . Thoughts and prayers to you and your little one.

Miz_Liz

You have to remind yourself that OB's are in the business of saving babies, not hurting them; therefore your Dr is not going to prescribe you something that is going to be worse for your baby than your current situation. What you should do is go to your appointment fully armed with a list of questions you want to ask - ask about statistics, ask about risks, ask about benefits, ask everything you want to know. You also need to remind yourself that every week baby stays in makes them that much stronger and healthier at birth and that much less likely to need any medical interventions or have any lasting issues. You have to ask yourself, do you trust your Dr? And if the answer is yes, then trust that they know what is best for you AND baby. If the answer is no, you need to take a bigger step back and ask if you should be swapping Dr's.

runswithscissors86

I think it is admirable that you are thinking of baby ahead of yourself. That is a sign of a really good mommy. However, as PP said, medications for diabetes do more good than any potential harm. It sounds like it might be necessary for the last few weeks since you are no longer able to control your sugars with diet and exercise alone. There is no shame in recognizing that and taking the meds. You did great. You were able to control it for so long. You were forced to change your life completely bc of GD. Have faith that the doc will put you on meds if necessary and that the need for them in no way reflects on your dedication to your child.

SucitUp

Refresh my memory cause it's been awhile since I've had a child but is 35 weeks considered full term? Cause last I heard it wasn't and I don't think any dr would induce unless absolutely necessary. I have gd and all my levels are diet controlled except for my fasting so I'm on meds for that. Not once would I decline them because that's what's best for my baby at this point. Pulling him out when he's not ready isn't what's best for him. But these are just my opinions and I know everybody else will have their own...

Miz_Liz

SucitUp said:

Refresh my memory cause it's been awhile since I've had a child but is 35 weeks considered full term? Cause last I heard it wasn't and I don't think any dr would induce unless absolutely necessary. I have gd and all my levels are diet controlled except for my fasting so I'm on meds for that. Not once would I decline them because that's what's best for my baby at this point. Pulling him out when he's not ready isn't what's best for him. But these are just my opinions and I know everybody else will have their own...

No, 37 weeks is full term by most standards.

bnmccann

I wouldn't say I'm in the same position but I am in a similar position with the GD, although I don't feel like mine is being monitored closely enough, and it is scarier towards the end of the effects it has on the baby because the placenta messes with your blood sugar more. I'm going in tomorrow for my appt and I'll be 35 weeks on Thursday as well and my fasting numbers are like right around 95. I am TERRIFIED of needles so the thought of possibly being put on insulin tomorrow is freaking me out... But the possibilities of the adverse effects of GD on the baby is even scarier. It is a constant fear after trying for two and a half years to make her I can't lose her... That is what gets me through whatever they want to give me. Insulin doesn't cross the placenta so it is very safe for the baby ... High blood sugar does cross the placenta and forces the baby to produce more insulin to lower it... Which is the dangerous part.

gotdiesel2007

Miz_Liz said:

SucitUp said:

Refresh my memory cause it's been awhile since I've had a child but is 35 weeks considered full term? Cause last I heard it wasn't and I don't think any dr would induce unless absolutely necessary. I have gd and all my levels are diet controlled except for my fasting so I'm on meds for that. Not once would I decline them because that's what's best for my baby at this point. Pulling him out when he's not ready isn't what's best for him. But these are just my opinions and I know everybody else will have their own...

No, 37 weeks is full term by most standards.

  According to American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

• Early term: 37 weeks to 38 weeks and 6 days
• Full term: 39 weeks to 40 weeks and 6 days
• Late term: 41 weeks to 41 weeks and 6 days
• Postterm: 42 weeks and beyond

Alyssakoch3

Correct, 37 weeks is considered full term. I just feel stuck between a rock and a hard place here. I know that my Dr. Is doing everything to keep baby safe, that has never been a question in my mind. But as a mom, I feel like all of these medications that have gone into my body can't be completely safe, actually, I know they're not! Thank you for all of the (mostly) positive advice. I'll definitely have a list ready to go tomorrow of questions to ask my dr. I just feel terrible about everything that she's had to go through during this pregnancy.

SucitUp

95 isn't a bad number for fasting! Has your dr ever mentioned that being to high? Mine were over 100 most of the time so that's why I got put on meds. And that was after I switched Drs because mine was letting my numbers stay that way for months. And aome Drs don't go straight to insulin so if you get put on meds hopefully they give you a pill instead of insulin @bnmccann

Alyssakoch3

My numbers are supposed to be under 90 for fasting and under 130 for an hour after eating @bnmccann

bnmccann

I hope so!! My dr wants my fasting numbers to be less than 95 and meals after an hour to be less than 130... Last time I talked to her she said I was doing pretty good but if It got any higher she prefers insulin over glyburide because it doesn't cross the placenta like the pill does I guess? I'm not too sure but I figure if I have to do the needles it will only be for four weeks or less right? Are you being induced a week or two early that you know of yet? Not sure what to expect with that. Thanks for the advice! @SucitUp

SucitUp

Yea at least you won't be dealing with needles for to long if she puts you on insulin. Hopefully you won't need to though! Well as far as inducing this new dr told me she's going to let me go whenever he wants to come but I won't let that happen. My last appt was rushed(literally a 5 minute appt) so tomorrow at my appt I will be talking to her for awhile about it and remind her of the plan we already had when she put my on meds last month. This will be my 3rd appt with her. Previous dr said 37-38 weeks all depending on his size and my levels. Has your dr mentioned anything about inducing yet? @bnmccann

bnmccann

Yeah from what I've read the closer to your due date after 37 weeks the more chances of bad things happening so that's good to remind your dr of what you talked about with her. My Lamaze teacher said the norm for GD whether diet controlled or not is 38 weeks for my hospital but my dr said their policy is 39 weeks unless the baby is too big then they will do 38 weeks. However I've had no growth scans at almost 35 weeks and I'm a little disappointed they haven't monitored it closer. They just think because my numbers were good (not so much anymore) that growth scans haven't been necessary but my Lamaze teacher said even if you never have a high reading that baby is getting more insulin than she needs, leading to complications closer to your due date. I would just like to know to plan as much as possible bc I still need to get a few things but money is tight so I've been putting it off until last minute basically lol. @SucitUp

zmombie

I do not blame you one bit for wanting be to be done. And not wanting to give her more meds. I'm sorry your going thru this.. But unfortunately, you need to do what's best for her. And your doctor will tell you wants best. I'm surprised she's going to 39 weeks instead of 37.. But just hang in there. Insulin isn't like medication.. (Such as anti nauseas and ect..) It's a natural thing your body produces and won't hurt the baby at all.. Again I'm sorry your going through this. Praying for healthy outcome.

SucitUp

Yea that's strange that they haven't been giving you growth scans. I've been getting them this whole time and I just started meds last month. I'm just worried if this one is anything like the other 2 I will be going till about 41.5 weeks and that's way to long to wait. I've already started the primrose oil pills and the raspberry leaf tea to get things moving down there cause she said if I'm progressing before then she will induce me or do a csection if he isn't flipped by then.

mers90

I'm usually the kind of person that avoids meds as much as possible, but not while pregnant! I'm in the same boat as you, I had terrible nausea so I started taking meds for that, I also had bleeding so I got some shots for that, also, I've been taking daily aspirin since week 4, vitamins, had to take iron for some time, then of course, something for my gastritis which got worse with all the meds, I got and UTI and had to have 2 rounds of antibiotics, etc, etc. You need to trust your doctor, he'll do what's best for you and your baby, I'm still taking meds for my contractions and will take it until week 37, because is better for my baby, and it doesn't do much with the cramps and I want to cry sometimes because I'm tiered of them (I've had cramps and contractions all my pregnancy), but I'll try to keep this baby safe in the oven for as long as I can! Is what's best for her.

miranda6275

I have PCOS and have been a higher risk for GD. I was on an oral diabetes med prior to pregnancy and was encouraged to start on it through the first trimester because it can help prevent miscarriage. In talking with my RE, OB and endocrinologist I've started on the medication the entire time and I passed the 3 hr gtt twice. The meds aren't bad and are better than risks of effects of GD to you and your little one