Does GD make you high-risk?

mommy2be1991

I have a follow up appt tomorrow for my GD diagnosis I know nothing about it, it's my first and I'm scared and have been crying almost nonstop for a few hours. Does this mean I'll be High Risk?

Brewtowngrl

It does mean you are high risk.  In the 3rd tri some time you will probably have to start NST's and get at least one BPP. How much risk depends if you are diet controlled or on insulin.  There are risks for placenta breakdown at the end of your pregnancy, fluid levels being off, baby's proportions being off, and slow lung maturity.  That is why you have the extra monitoring.  Most of the time a GD baby is perfectly fine since the GD was caught.  That is why you do the GTT.  Keep in mind you did nothing to cause this.  Having GD is all from hormones. 

You will meet with a dietitian and they will give a diet that you need to follow.  If you don't exercise then you will be told to do so.  The diet is a strict, but once you get the hang of it it isn't too bad.  Good news is most women I know, including me, didn't have problems taking off the post baby weight.  I was back to my pre pregnancy weight by 6 weeks.  With DS1 (didn't have GD) it took 15 months.   

mommy2be1991

Brewtowngrl:

It does mean you are high risk.  In the 3rd tri some time you will probably have to start NST's and get at least one BPP. How much risk depends if you are diet controlled or on insulin.  There are risks for placenta breakdown at the end of your pregnancy, fluid levels being off, baby's proportions being off, and slow lung maturity.  That is why you have the extra monitoring.  Most of the time a GD baby is perfectly fine since the GD was caught.  That is why you do the GTT.  Keep in mind you did nothing to cause this.  Having GD is all from hormones. 

You will meet with a dietitian and they will give a diet that you need to follow.  If you don't exercise then you will be told to do so.  The diet is a strict, but once you get the hang of it it isn't too bad.  Good news is most women I know, including me, didn't have problems taking off the post baby weight.  I was back to my pre pregnancy weight by 6 weeks.  With DS1 (didn't have GD) it took 15 months.   

Okay, is it okay if I join you guys?

 I've been meeting with a dietitian since I was 6 weeks pregnant and exercising lots! I don't know what more I can do   

kristin172429

Oh, please don't cry!  I know it can be scary and stressful, but GD is incredibly manageable and you really lower any associated risks by controlling your blood sugars.  It is an adjustment at first, but I have been doing it since 15 weeks and I just have gotten used to it.  My LO has been measuring along just fine and my doctors have been pleased with my progress so far.  You really can do this and you will keep your baby safe and healthy.

So, yes, GD can be considered high risk, but there is a scale of high risk and personally, I think GD is at the lower end, especially when it is managed well.  Your standard of care will depend on your doctor, but mine has been wonderful.  Other than seeing my GD doc about my sugars and having growth u/s, this has been treated as a normal pregnancy.  My doctor is not worried about anything at all.  He says baby and I are doing really well.  My hopes for a natural birth are still possible.  Some docs will talk induction at 38 or 39 weeks, others will talk c-section if they think baby is large.  Just know that you can ALWAYS ask questions and see if that standard of care is the best for your situation.  There are some docs that just handle GD the same way for everyone and others that are wonderful about handling each case on its own.  Don't be afraid to talk with your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have.

So, if you need to freak out for a minute to get it out of your system, then do it.  It's always better to process than suppress, in my book anyway.  And then come back to this board - check out the tips, food ideas, and questions other GD moms have.  Just know that even with GD, you can have a completely normal pregnancy and the diet they have you follow is incredibly healthy and great for you and baby.  And if you do need meds, it won't be metaformin - that one isn't pregnancy-safe as far as I am aware.  You would either get insulin or glyburide.  I have insulin and it really isn't that bad!  

Good luck.  This board is a great resource! 

missjulierenee

GD is very overwhelming at first. I felt the same way as you did. The more you learn and start figuring things out, it is not too bad. Unfortunately GD is high risk and the doctor will want to take extra precautions. Hang in there, things will get better.

tiff012982

mommy2be1991:

Brewtowngrl:

It does mean you are high risk.  In the 3rd tri some time you will probably have to start NST's and get at least one BPP. How much risk depends if you are diet controlled or on insulin.  There are risks for placenta breakdown at the end of your pregnancy, fluid levels being off, baby's proportions being off, and slow lung maturity.  That is why you have the extra monitoring.  Most of the time a GD baby is perfectly fine since the GD was caught.  That is why you do the GTT.  Keep in mind you did nothing to cause this.  Having GD is all from hormones. 

You will meet with a dietitian and they will give a diet that you need to follow.  If you don't exercise then you will be told to do so.  The diet is a strict, but once you get the hang of it it isn't too bad.  Good news is most women I know, including me, didn't have problems taking off the post baby weight.  I was back to my pre pregnancy weight by 6 weeks.  With DS1 (didn't have GD) it took 15 months.   

Okay, is it okay if I join you guys?

 I've been meeting with a dietitian since I was 6 weeks pregnant and exercising lots! I don't know what more I can do   

Ok so I decided to check on some of the GD gals and saw your post and wanted to tell you my story.  I was diagnosed at 28 weeks after two failed Glucose tests.  I teach aerobics 5 days a week and have a really good diet and started out at a normal weight and had only gained 15 lbs by week 28 and 24 lbs my whole pregnancy.  My GD was diet controlled and I didn't change one single eating habit.  Not many GD patients are like this and actually few are but I was devastated as well.  All my u/s were normal and DD was born at 38 1/2 weeks and weighed.......5lbs 12 oz.  I couldn't believe how small she was and how much worrying I did about a possible big baby.  She scored a 9.5 on her apgars and was screaming from the minute she came out.  She was perfect!  Try not to be worked up until you talk to your doctor and start testing.  You may not have to change a thing.  GL