Gestational Diabetes Question

JenyB6 · April 2014

Just had my 3 hour Glucose test and it came back high. I had high 1 hours with both of my boys but the 3 hour came back fine. Not this time they said the numbers were not crazy high but over the limit. So my question is did I cause this? I had bad morning sickness until 20 wks and still have just general nausea and not real a lot of food seems appealing to me. I have not been pigging out on sweets but higher fiber foods and for some reason I prefer lean red meats over chicken (which is not usually me). Being sent to a diabetic educator. Anyone else get GD and what do I have to expect in the future. Thanks just feeling a little down.

Rynleigh · April 2014

No, you do not cause gestational diabetes, and your risks for developing it with twins is higher than it is with a singleton (even higher if you have two placentas instead of just one). Eating sweets does of course account for higher blood sugar in general, but it does not *cause* GD or any other form of diabetes. You will need to start regulating your food intake and getting rid of the sweet munchies because high blood sugar is not safe for you or the babies. If your blood sugar stays high even when you are eating limited carbohydrates and appropriately pairing them with proteins, you may need to begin administering insulin to manage your numbers through until delivery, but most OBs will always start with just trying to manage via nutrition without insulin if at all possible.

What you need to be aware of is that GD is temporary, but the risk for women who develop GD to develop type II diabetes within five years of delivery jumps substantially from average risk (the estimates are that the average woman has less than a 3% risk of developing type II with no family history, while a woman who has had GD has a 70% risk of developing type II within five years - if you have a family history of diabetes, your risks are already higher). This, again, isn't because of anything you've done wrong, but it does mean that having GD is potentially a warning that you need to monitor your A1C a couple of times a year, and do your best to eat well.

24karat · April 2014

No, you did not cause GD. It is caused by the placenta and hormones interfering with insulin. There's nothing that you can do to prevent it so it is not your fault.

I had it with both pregnancies and it's very common to get the dx with multiples. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Odebdo · April 2014

I have it too...got diagnosed at 26 weeks and I cried, even knowing the MFM doctor had told me it would be a miracle if I did not get GD due to the time period when I failed the 1 hour...

I went and took a class, with DH with me, at the MFM...they hold them every week...and got a food plan laid out for me, with the meals, snacks and how they should be broken out protein, carb and fat wise. I check my levels 4x a day, and fax in the results once a week and talk to the nurses.

I have been put on medication, though not insulin...as my levels while eating is fine, but overnight it causes issues...so it is good I am being monitored this closely, by both my OB and the MFM.

It is not a fun thing, but I can tell you I will be focused on eating a healthier balance of meals etc after the babies come because I do not want to live this way the rest of my life...my focus right now is on being as healthy as I can, and making healthy babies....

So very common, but I know in my head I knew that...my heart still broke when I was diagnosed...hang in there!

badbridey · April 2014

I had GD with ODD and I was able to manage it with diet & exercise. The basic principle is that you eat a carb and a protein together at every meal and snack. You also want to eat every few hours so, have a carb and protein between every meal. Then, take a 10-15 minute walk after you eat. The diabetic educator should give you some meal plans/specific guidelines to follow for your case. You'll probably take your blood sugar first thing in the morning, and after every meal - it's just a small prick of the finger, not a big deal. I actually thought getting GD was a blessing in disguise, because it makes you really aware of what you're eating - so you don't give in to those pregnancy cravings

There is a high-risk board here on TB that I found really helpful when I had questions about my GD, and they also had some good snack recommendations.

JenyB6 · April 2014

Thanks ladies it does help to hear from you.. I feel better knowing that hopefully we will get it all controlled with diet.

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