GD and NSTs

andij1616

I found out at 26 weeks that I have GD, and was put on insulin right away because of my high fasting numbers.  I started with 18 units of insulin at bedtime, and it was upped to 22 units at yesterday's appointment.  I had an ultrasound two weeks ago, and baby looks fine as do my fluid levels.  Baby's heartbeat has been great as well.  So I was surprised when the Dr. mentioned that they wanted me to start coming in for twice weekly NSTs and a once a week check of fluid.  So I guess I have two questions:

1.  In your experience, is this pretty common with GD?

2.  I'm curious about the rate of false-positives, and also wondering if it will heat the baby's tissues like the radiation from an ultrasound does.  Does anyone have any information about the safety of NSTs?

 P.S. I also posted this on the High-Risk Pregnancy board.  After taking Bradley classes, I'm really hoping to have a natural birth with GD.  Thanks!

sccalla

I just wanted to wish you luck with your natural birth w/ GD.  I had GD with my 2nd pregnancy and had a natural birth.  I had NSTs at every appointment from the time I got diagnosed with GD, so about every other week and then every week at the very end.  I had one Level II ultrasound fairly late in my pregnancy, but no fluid checks otherwise.  The difference may be that since my GD was able to be diet and exercise controlled I wasn't considered high-risk (at least I didn't risk-out of the birth center that I go to).

Emiliana7

I had GD with both my pgs. I was insulin dependent- If I remember right at the end of my last pg I was taking 30-45 units of insulin before each meal and then 50-60 units at night before bed. I had started at lower numbers but it crept up in need. My first pg wasn't so drastic., So there's my history

As for NSTs, I had them at each appt once I was dx with GD, so it wasn't until the very end my last week pg I had 2 in one week (I had DS at 38 weeks)

I did have extra u/s at 26 weeks (first was at 18 weeks), one at week 37 and I was going to have another one at the start of week 39 (but I didn't make it to that point!) basically, the extras were "growth" checks to make sure the baby wasn't getting too big due to the GD.

Both my babies were est. at being 8 lbs at the last u/s I had (38 weeks with #1, 37 weeks with #2) the tech said there's anywhere from 1 to 2 lbs margin of error wither way, meaning the baby could have been anything from 6 lbs to 10 lbs! crazy MOE!

But both babies were 'normal' weight for even a non-gd pg. #1 was 6 lbs 15 oz and #2 was 7 lbs.

So, basically, don't worry too much, just try to keep your numbers in line as best as you can. And Good Luck!