XP GD concerns

PennyLane26 · February 2013

Hi all! Lurking with a XP from PAIF...

I am completely shocked. Just got the call from my OB that my 3 hour came back positive for gestational diabetes. My head is spinning with questions! After researching a bit, I'm even more confused as I don't fit into any of the categories for women with GD (no family history, not overweight, no previous pregnancies, etc).I have a million questions for my OB when we meet on Monday, but until then, maybe you all can help! I am a petite person and I'm worried about having a big baby and will be disappointed if I can't at least try for a vaginal delivery.

Are you monitored more with GD? Will I have to be induced early? Is vaginal delivery still an option? I'm so overwhelmed. Can you share your experience with me? TIA!

rjade9 · February 2013

I was on bedrest in the hospital with gd so I was monitored anyways. My OB said if I wasn't in the hospital at 32 weeks I'd start doing weekly nst in the office. Your chances of having a bigger baby obviously are higher but it doesn't always mean you'll be induced or need a c section. Ds was 5lbs5oz and delivered at 32w6d so he would've been a big baby full term!

Saraevh · February 2013

Same thing happened to me my second time around. I was a very thin, healthy person and was floored when I failed the glucose screen miserably at 28 weeks especially when I didn't have it in my first pregnancy.

I saw a nutritionist right away and was able to control mine through diet. Basically I just had to prick my finger and test my blood once in the am before eating, and then two hours after every meal and then I would have to report my levels to my OB once a week, unless I got a lot of high levels in a row or something, which rarely happened. I will warn you though, I felt like I was STARVING all of the time and I would become a cranky beast because I was so hungry and just wanted to pig out on carbs which are a pretty big no no.

I did not need a lot of extra monitoring probably because mine was controlled well with just diet alone. I just went in for bi-weekly growth ultrasounds to make sure he wasn't getting ginormous. I went into labor naturally and had my DS vaginally at 38 weeks. He was just shy of 8lbs.

I was super worried about it all too. It can all be overwhelming at first and trying to stick to a strict diet totally stinks, but you'll do okay! They will watch you to make sure things aren't getting out of control and will adjust things if need be.

Good luck!

mel72 · February 2013

I had it w/ both boys. I was on insulin w/ DS1 but he came at 33 wks so I was only on it for about a week. I was able to be diet-controlled w/ DS2 but was put on limited activitiy for like 2.5 months. Walking is very important, esp. if your numbers are high. I gained like 40 lbs/ w/ DS1 and 30ish w/ DS2 and he was full term. DS1 was 5.1 lbs. at 33 weeks and DS2 was 8.8 at 40 weeks. Check out the high risk board for some helpful tips too. GL, it can be overwhelming at first.

Sarafuss · February 2013

With my first pregnancy I was diagnosed with GD after my 3 hour at 28 weeks. I had to send in my blood sugar numbers weekly but did not receiveing extra monitoring until 35 weeks when I was put on glyburide. I had twice weekly NST's and a BPP once a week. I think it's standard to have a growth scan at 36 weeks. It really varies by practice. I was told last time that I would be induced at 39 weeks. I unfortunately developed pre-e and was induced at 37 weeks and DS was only 5 lbs 7 oz.

I developed GD early this time and failed my 2 hour GTT at 14 weeks. I have growth scans every 4 weeks (starting at 20 weeks). I'm not sure yet if they still plan on inducing at 39 weeks since I'm with a MFM practice this time.

Try not to worry. Most people can be diet controlled and have few or no complications with GD. I wouldn't worry about having a big baby. You really only see that when GD is undiagnosed or uncontrolled. I wouldn't think GD would affect your chances of a vaginal delivery. My induction went really well and I had an "easy" vaginal delivery.

I too am a petite person (5' 0" and 115 lbs pre-pregnancy) but do have risk factors since I have PCOS and my dad has type 2 diabetes. I can understand why you would be confused by the diagnosis but it's nothing that you can control (I felt like it was my fault the first time around until I learned that there was nothing I could have changed). It's just how your placenta breaks down insulin. All in all GD really isn't that bad. I can eat most of what I normally eat but just have to watch my portions and you have to eat more often than you normally would. Good luck!

Sarafuss · February 2013

Saraevh:
I will warn you though, I felt like I was STARVING all of the time

I've heard people with GD say this and I feel the opposite. I'm rarely hungry because I have to eat every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. I'm sick of eating. I think making sure you have enough protein with your snack/meals keeps you fuller longer.

PennyLane26 · February 2013

All of your advice is very helpful, it's very overwhelming at first but I'm sure it will be habit after a week or two. Thank you!!

srveatch · February 2013

Saraevh:
Same thing happened to me my second time around.nbsp; I was a very thin, healthy person and was floored when I failed the glucose screen miserably at 28 weeks especially when I didn't have it in my first pregnancy.nbsp; I saw a nutritionist right away and was able to control mine through diet.nbsp; Basically I just had to prick my finger and test my blood once in the am before eating, and then two hours after every meal and then I would have to report my levels to my OB once a week, unless I got a lot of high levels in a row or something, which rarely happened. I will warn you though, I felt like I was STARVING all of the time and I would become a cranky beast because I was so hungry and just wanted to pig out on carbs which are a pretty big no no.I did not need a lot of extranbsp;monitoring probably because mine was controlled well with just diet alone.nbsp;nbsp;I just went in for biweekly growth ultrasounds to make sure he wasn't getting ginormous.nbsp; I went into labor naturally and had my DS vaginallynbsp;at 38 weeks.nbsp; He was just shy of 8lbs.nbsp; I was super worried about it all too.nbsp; It can all be overwhelming at first and trying to stick to a strict diet totally stinks, but you'll do okay!nbsp; They will watch you to make sure things aren't getting out of control and will adjust things if need be.nbsp; Good luck!

This was my experience except It was my first pregnancy and I am of average weight. I had no risk factors. Mine was controlled with diet as well. I on the other hand felt really full all the time. I was on a 2000 calorie a day plan and eating six times a day! It was very overwhelming at first but I got the hang if it and had a lot more energy than I did before. I received NST's every week starting at 34 weeks and was induced at 39 weeks. My baby was small, 6lbs 7oz!

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