gestational diabetes
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29720
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Topic: gestational diabetes
Posted By: BriAndOlisMum
Subject: gestational diabetes
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 8:52am
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i have a question for those of you that have had GD in previous pregnancies, what do they do if you have it?
do you just have to watch what you eat or do you need insulin injections? i have to go for a test in 2 weeks as my grandmother died of diabetes related illness so MW wants to make sure i don't have it. I'd like to prepare myself and be informed before i go for the test so i know what will happen if it is positive. -------------  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Replies:
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 9:01am
Most women with GD can control it with diet and exercise (things like aquanatal classes, or going for walks - it helps the body process the sugar faster), although in some instances insulin is required. If insulin is required, it is usually a once a day injection with slow-release insulin. I had to be different and none of that worked so was on 3x a day insulin  That's pretty rare though.
Like I said though, MOST of the time it can be controlled with diet and exercise. You have to see a nutritionist and diabetes educator to be monitored closely, and you also get frequent growth scans I think, as GD can create bigger babies (I was on fortnightly growth scans anyway, so I'm not sure of that actual procedure when it comes to GD). It's not too bad, you do get used to checking your blood sugar, and injecting yourself if you need to. You need to go for a GTT 6 weeks after having the baby/ies to check it hasn't developed into type 2 diabetes (which can sometimes happen) as well - I'm very overdue for mine!! My mum and 3 out of 4 of my sisters got GD (plus mum has type 2, and one sister has type 1), so I didn't have much chance of NOT getting it. |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 9:40am
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We have a few girls in our Dec thread that have GD or are bordering on GD. They go to specialists and consultation teams. Baby gets monitored a lot more to make sure they are growing ok (with GD I think they tend to be BIGGER babies). They have to do finger pricks every day to check their blood sugar levels. They have to watch their diet and exercise. I think one or two of them are on insulin as well. Thats a bit more complicated. I think they are also looking at possible early induction as well. Bonus if you are impatient and want to meet your bubba early.
I think the great thing with GD is it goes away at the end and you still get your gorgeous baby. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: zcm
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 10:15am
I answered in our due date thread  ------------- Mum to two boys and http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: J&Ls mum
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 2:07pm
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I had GD as well as other issues, i was put on insulin at 34 weeks, injecting 3x daily (2 different epi-pens) i had my little girl 2 days later but from my experience it wasn't that bad.
My 6 wk PP test showed everything was fine. ------------- J - born 26th April 2008 and L - born 3rd Sept 2010 http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Mattsmum
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 5:30pm
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I had GD too, I was on three insulin injections a day and had to test blood sugars about 7 times a day. I had heaps of scans - weekly from 34 weeks and was induced at 38 weeks, my midwife would have preferred earlier.
The scans had predicted bubs to be 11lbs if he went full term but at 38 weeks he was 8.12 which was much less than expected. I also had weekly appointments with a dietician and a bunch of specialists, and have to have annual glucose tests to make sure I don't get type 2 diabetes. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 7:15pm
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I got GD for no apparent reason as I was in my twenties, not overweight nor had I ever been and the only person in my family with type 2 is my paternal grandmother.
I was first on metformin but this did not control it and then I also seemed to have a very rare reaction to it, so ended up on 3 x insulin a day (2 diff types of insulin) and testing my blood sugars 4 x a day. Personally this sucked and I hated having to inject myself especially in the tummy, but it was not for long, oh and I also had to be very strict about my diet eating at certain intervals and cutting alot out of my diet and following a very low GI diet. I was also monitored very closely and it also meant that I could no longer have my midwife or birth where it had been planned I would, luckily I never had a real birth plan and was always just going to go with the flow so when things changed it was not to much of a stress, I was not keen on the induction thing etc but it all went ok and induction happened at 38.4 weeks and DD weighed 6lb15, I think she would have been overdue otherwise as I was not anywhere near going into natural labour. My GTT that I had after she was born (10 weeks later rather than 6) showed that I had pre diabetes so I have been prettty good about my diet and I am now smaller than I have ever been in my life so hopefully when they check it again soon it will be better, but I know I will have it next pregnancy but at least I will be prepared. FX for you that you don't get it and if you that it is easily controlled.
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Posted By: Chickaboo
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 8:44pm
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I have Gd for the second time (second pregnancy with it first 2 I didn't)
Last pregnancy I controled my levels with diet and exercise (no insulin) I saw a dietian once a fortnight and then diabetes educator till 36 weeks once a fortnight then once a week till baby was born at 39 weeks (c section but only since he was breeched) I have large babies anyhow but baby was born 9lb 4oz a week early so glad I didn't go over or have a natural after that. I had a growth scan at 35 weeks and he was 7lb then. After the birth - I tested a few times - levels fine. and six week test wasn't the GTT it was a blood test which showed I was ok. I now get tested and a medical (all free) every year as since having GD you go on the diabete's database and get those things free as early detection is the key and unfortunatley having GD makes you high risk of getting type 2 diabetes. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 05 November 2009 at 12:07am
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I have GD. I've been on insulin for 3 days now at coming up to 34 weeks. I was diagnosed about 5 weeks ago and had been controlling it with diet for a while. At the moment I'm testing about 5 times a day, taking slow acting insulin at night, and quick acting insulin during the day as needed (after every meal so far today). I also have 2 epi-pens. ------------- 
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Posted By: ShellyBR
Date Posted: 05 November 2009 at 3:14pm
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I had GD last time and controlled it with low GI diet and walking everywhere. I had to check my blood sugars before and after every meal. The pin prick was the worst part for me. I was lucky and controlled it well with diet i went to the clinic at welly hospital. I got a few extra scans and just vefore the due date the put me on a tracer to make sure his heartbeat and everything was ok. The kept telling me I was going to have a monster baby and that i wouldnt be let go past my due date so I had it in my head he would be arriving early, then I at 2 days over due I had emergancy ceaser nothing to do with gd. he was 7p 9 so not huge. I wasn't high risk to have it. After I had him I was 6 kg lighter then before I got pregnant and was feeling much healther.
I have been tested already this time and came up clear but have to keep retesting as the pregnancy continues. I wasn't tested at all after ds was born, I even asked my midwife and she said no need, starting to think I might demand a test when this baby is born. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Chickaboo
Date Posted: 05 November 2009 at 8:38pm
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ShellyBR - I had a GTT (the 2 hour one) at 24 weeks - so earlier than they normally do and just passed - so did it again at 29 weeks and didn't pass so i would think your MW/OB would get you to do it at the normal time as well... but everyone is different. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ShellyBR
Date Posted: 06 November 2009 at 7:53am
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She is sending me again around 20 weeks and every few weeks until I either get it or the baby arrives. I asked to be tested around 13weeks as I was feeling a lot like I did when I ate the wrong things while pg the first time.
It is the test after the baby that I wasn't offered last time so I am wondering should i demand it this time. I asked at the baby's 6 week check and the doctor didn't seem to interested but we have changed doctors since then so I suppose we will see. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Chickaboo
Date Posted: 07 November 2009 at 9:34pm
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I didn't do a GTT test after having bubs (6 weeks) but got sent for the bloods and every year since I have a full medical check up and blood tests - so far so good ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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