Questions about GD and Insulin

EJonesey · December 2010

My endo doctor said if I am having some trouble keeping my blood sugar in check I might go on some basel insulin (once a day). Here are my questions, I don't see my endo for a little more than a week (otherwise I would just ask him).

Back story, I haven't gainned very much weight, my baby is measuring 35 weeks (5 1/2 lbs) and I am 32 weeks and I have only gained a little more than 5 lbs, but the baby is in the 96% of weight, so as the sonographer said "She's a big girl!"

Here's my questions:

If I started taking Insulin, would this help the baby from getting too big? So I could avoid a C-section or being induced?

Would I be able to eat more satisfying meals if I was on insulin?

Thanks for your help.

Rubypercy · December 2010

I haven't heard of once a day insulin, but if you are trying not to eat very much to keep the numbers in check, it would imo be better to eat enough and start doing the insulin. If you are trying not to control it on diet alone and are hungry, that never sounds good to me and probably means you could have ketones. Insulin could help with the baby's size. Are you overweight? Is the doctor concerned thaty you've only gained 5 pounds?

EJonesey · December 2010

Not over weight, I have only had ketones once or twice.

hispenguin · December 2010

I have been on Insulin for almost two months now. I have only ever had problems with my fasting numbers, so I only have to take a slow-reacting Insulin before bed every night to manage those numbers. I stil have to follow the GD diet, and monitor my blood sugar 4x/day.

To answer your questions:

-the better your BS are managed the better for you and your baby. Not just for growth now in utero, but after the birth as well. As for a c-section, or induction. Even though my numbers are really good, and LO is only measuring just days ahead of what she should be I could be induced as early as 37 weeks. It all depends on how my sugars are doing closer to the end. Usually if you are on insulin you are monitored even more closely

-it's best for you and the baby if you contiue to eat well to manage your sugars. I have been able to have the odd snack occassionally, so I feel like I'm not being deprived.

kimski · December 2010

I'm in the same boat in terms of not really gain all that much weight throughout this pregnancy (between 1st tri MS and now the GD diet). In terms of satisfying meals I add carb free extras to my meals to help fill me up. Vegis etc.I know it's not as satisfying but it helps. I also add these to my snacks.

I also have a fairly large baby going at my last US she was 5#4oz and I was 32 weeks. I don't see a endo but rather just a perinatologist and diabetic RN and his plan for me was recheck in with RN Jan 3rd avoid sweets over holiday/see what my #'s are doing then. And then possible start an oral med if needed given sugars. up till now they've been ok except for when I miss counted carbs/over did carbs at dinner Plan is start non stress tests at 36 weeks with regular OB. Then recheck u/s at 37 weeks to recheck size and that's when the perinatologist is going to make recommendations regarding birth plan-C section, early induction, let nature take it's course.

Well that's the plan for me. But I'm not sure on the whole insulin thing since we haven't talked about that yet.

lizzie1976 · December 2010

I'm 36 weeks and have been on insulin at night to control fasting numbers. The rest of my numbers are well-managed with diet and exercise.

The insulin isn't really a big deal...it's annoying for sure, but it doesn't hurt and you just get in a routine for it. One of the other posters is absolutely right --- once you're on insulin they monitor you very closely, which again can be somewhat of an inconvenience but you get to check in on your baby twice a week.

Insulin doesn't cross the placenta, and it's "natural", so there are no risks involved. It brought me great peace of mind to start the insulin, since I was stressing myself out in the mornings if my fasting number was too high.

Good luck!

Soon-2-B-Mrs.B · December 2010

I am a Type II diabetic and I've been on insulin my entire pregnancy (about 5 months now). I take 4 shots a day. One before every meal and one at bedtime to control my morning fasting numbers.

Here's what was explained to me: When your sugars are higher - your baby has to produce more insulin on his/her own in order to process the extra sugar that goes from you to the baby. Every time the baby has to produce more insulin - it acts as a growth hormone and the baby gets bigger and bigger and bigger....So, if you are taking insulin and getting the most desireable numbers - your baby is producing the correct amount of insulin an all is well. The baby won't grow big because of the diabetes (I'm not sure what other reasons there are for large babies).

Learning to use insulin and learning how it effects your body is a process. Once you figure out how much you need to take in order to get desireable numbers - you can eat more as long as you give yourself enough insulin to cover what you've eaten. So, for instance, if you're taking 10 units and that gets you under 130 1 hour after your meal (preferably under 120 but 130 suffices), and that meal is 45 carbs - you know that each unit of insulin covers 4.5 carbs. Now you're thinking - you want to eat 60 carbs for dinner - you just have to add more units to the 10 you already take in order to cover the entire 60 carbs.

Please feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

Good luck!!!

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