Gestational Diabetes Questions to Ask Doc?

Achieverjo

I have a strong family history of diabetes on both branches of the tree, and I suspect my mom had GD while she was pregnant, because my siblings and I were all huge. My mom is a type 2 diabetic.

At first I wasn't really that concerned with my weight gain... But I'm really packing on the pounds despite eating healthy and increasing exercise activity.

Just a little history... I was sedentary during first trimester... So increasing activity is a slow progression. I do 30 minutes of elliptical and 10 minutes of weights 1-2 times a week with the intention of increasing to 3-4 times a week.

I have a doctor's appointment coming up. What are some good questions to ask? Is there anything I need to bring my doctor's attention to?

mojomama6

Honestly, because of family history (family deaths, loss of limbs, more deaths), I sort of just informed all my doctors that they would be writing me a script for test strips, I would periodically test four times a day, and what numbers at those four times would be concerning enough for you (Dr) to do more testing? I've had several over the years who said that was a great plan, and only one who thought it was ridiculous. He said I was too skinny for diabetes, and I found a new physician immediately.
If that doesn't sound like something you would want to do, perhaps ask if you could have a glucose challenge test each trimester? I know it's becoming more common to test multiple times if you're high risk.

Achieverjo

Ooh great tip! I've tested before so I think I could handle that. I'll talk to my doc about it and about the challenge test.

ivyvines6

I told my Dr the second I saw him face to face about my mother's diabetes, and every other female on her side of the family having it. She developed gestational diabetes with all six of us, but didn't know what it was until number three, her Dr kept telling my dad she's just eating too much.

I'm not sure if the weight of the baby is a good indicator of it though, as all my siblings and I were between 6-10lbs which isn't considered huge. I would establish dialog with them about it, and request monitoring for it. On paper it looks like I'm the perfect candidate for it myself, but I'm the only woman in my family (mother's side) to have no trace of diabetes so far, so he's going to keep an eye in it just in case.

elasticheart13

Definitely think it's a great idea to be tested each trimester. Standard in Denmark is that you automatically get called in for challenge test if you have family history with diabetes and in each trimester if you have a high BMI.

AmadorRose

Knottie9983816 said:

I told my Dr the second I saw him face to face about my mother's diabetes, and every other female on her side of the family having it. She developed gestational diabetes with all six of us, but didn't know what it was until number three, her Dr kept telling my dad she's just eating too much.

I'm not sure if the weight of the baby is a good indicator of it though, as all my siblings and I were between 6-10lbs which isn't considered huge. I would establish dialog with them about it, and request monitoring for it. On paper it looks like I'm the perfect candidate for it myself, but I'm the only woman in my family (mother's side) to have no trace of diabetes so far, so he's going to keep an eye in it just in case.

I'm going to have to disagree - 10 pounds is a HUGE baby. I would beg for a c section! Haha

Edit because 10 is big for anybody, unless you're superwoman. And I want to know what super special kegel exercises you do after a baby that big.

elasticheart13

Haha my sister came out 10 pounds, she was hugeeeee lol

mrstrax

elasticheart13 said:

Haha my sister came out 10 pounds, she was hugeeeee lol

It took until DD was 3 months old to hit double digit weight - I can't imagine her being born 66% bigger (she was 6#3) - yowza! @-)

ivyvines6

AmadorRose said:

Knottie9983816 said:

I told my Dr the second I saw him face to face about my mother's diabetes, and every other female on her side of the family having it. She developed gestational diabetes with all six of us, but didn't know what it was until number three, her Dr kept telling my dad she's just eating too much.

I'm not sure if the weight of the baby is a good indicator of it though, as all my siblings and I were between 6-10lbs which isn't considered huge. I would establish dialog with them about it, and request monitoring for it. On paper it looks like I'm the perfect candidate for it myself, but I'm the only woman in my family (mother's side) to have no trace of diabetes so far, so he's going to keep an eye in it just in case.

I'm going to have to disagree - 10 pounds is a HUGE baby. I would beg for a c section! Haha

Edit because 10 is big for anybody, unless you're superwoman. And I want to know what super special kegel exercises you do after a baby that big.

"At birth, the average baby weighs about 7.5 pounds — though the range of normal is between 5.5 and ten pounds (all but five percent of newborns will fall into this range)." Taken from whattoexpect.com

It's still average. My mom had all of us naturally and c sections were not necessary. She has said that her labors with the smaller babies were tougher, but the recovery time was harder with the larger babies.

NachosAndPeaches

AmadorRose said:

Knottie9983816 said:

I told my Dr the second I saw him face to face about my mother's diabetes, and every other female on her side of the family having it. She developed gestational diabetes with all six of us, but didn't know what it was until number three, her Dr kept telling my dad she's just eating too much.

I'm not sure if the weight of the baby is a good indicator of it though, as all my siblings and I were between 6-10lbs which isn't considered huge. I would establish dialog with them about it, and request monitoring for it. On paper it looks like I'm the perfect candidate for it myself, but I'm the only woman in my family (mother's side) to have no trace of diabetes so far, so he's going to keep an eye in it just in case.

I'm going to have to disagree - 10 pounds is a HUGE baby. I would beg for a c section! Haha

Edit because 10 is big for anybody, unless you're superwoman. And I want to know what super special kegel exercises you do after a baby that big.

@Knottie9983816
Normal range =/= average lol, just means it's not abnormal. It's still large. Very large.


@AmadorRose I've actually heard that hard deliveries have a lot more to do with head size than total weight. I've heard of people delivering 10+ lb babies without any tearing at all, and my DS was 6lb5oz and I tore because his head has always been in the 95+ %ile. Just a fun fact!!!

Now carrying a baby that size must be a nightmare, because I was miserable with 6lb5 lol

cmjenkies

@NachosAndPeaches I'd agree with the head size - DS was 8#4 but his bobble head is in the 90s as well.

I kind of disagree with the thought that a smaller physical stature limits you to being able to birth big babies - it has more to do with the shape of your pelvis. I've seen plenty of small mamas birth some big old babies vaginally.

Achieverjo

@Knottie9983816 I read somewhere that if you have a history of birth weights larger than 9#, then you may be at risk for GD. Also a history of stillbirth. If you have GD you are more likely to develop type 2 later. All of these apply to my mom. But I'm not a doctor and the Internet is definitely not a good source of medical info!

I was 9#4, sibling 1 was 9#6, sibling 2 was stillborn, and sibling 3 was 9#15.5. Yes you read that right, half an ounce shy of 10#.

I've asked my mom if she had GD, and I get the feeling maybe she wasn't tested... Or doesn't remember? I'm not sure when they started testing for GD.

I may just be worrying over nothing...or maybe I'm really nervous about delivering a bowling ball-sized baby. Ouch! [-O<

kalanieileen

AmadorRose said:

Knottie9983816 said:

I told my Dr the second I saw him face to face about my mother's diabetes, and every other female on her side of the family having it. She developed gestational diabetes with all six of us, but didn't know what it was until number three, her Dr kept telling my dad she's just eating too much.

I'm not sure if the weight of the baby is a good indicator of it though, as all my siblings and I were between 6-10lbs which isn't considered huge. I would establish dialog with them about it, and request monitoring for it. On paper it looks like I'm the perfect candidate for it myself, but I'm the only woman in my family (mother's side) to have no trace of diabetes so far, so he's going to keep an eye in it just in case.

I'm going to have to disagree - 10 pounds is a HUGE baby. I would beg for a c section! Haha

Edit because 10 is big for anybody, unless you're superwoman. And I want to know what super special kegel exercises you do after a baby that big.

Yeupp! My sister came out 10lbs2oz through C-section and she was giant. I was an asshole of a 10 year old and called her baby rotunda lol

Achieverjo

Hahah you were a witty 10 year old!