Some questions about Gestational Diabetes.?
I’m 26 weeks tomorrow. Yesterday I found out that I failed my one-hour glucose test and am scheduled for a three-hour test next week. I’m a little worried and am already trying to make changes to my diet that I know will help if I am indeed diabetic. There are some things I’d like to know in advance, however, from your experiences.
1. Will I need to start seeing a high-risk doctor? Will this be at the recommendation of my OB?
2. Is there still a chance that I will pass the second test, even though I failed the first?
3. I know that having GD increases your risk for having a bigger baby and consequently having trouble during delivery. How common are other complications related to GD, especially those that would affect the baby?
Thanks for all answers.
Thanks so far…and I am worried because I do have a family history of type 2 diabetes (both my mom and dad have it). I know that may or may not affect my risk for gestational diabetes, but I’m just prone to worrying I guess. Thanks for everyone’s reassurance.
i was in the same boat.. i failed the one hour test but passed with flying colors on the 3 hour test…. i dont think that you will need to see high risk though… gestational Diabetes is very common these days…
good luck….
1. If you OB decides you should see a high-risk doctor, then they will recommend one. But see my answer for #2. I think you are worrying yourself for nothing.
2. I failed the one-hour and passed the 3 hour. And that isn’t that uncommon.
3. Again worrying yourself for nothing in all likely hood. There are a few risk factors for GD, see link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_diabetes
Just because you didn’t pass the first test does not mean you will not pass the second. And even if you were found to have GD, I don’t think you would have to see a high-risk doctor. But you will be put on a very strict diet.
Well, I can only speak to my experience. I failed my first glucose test (one hour one) and was extremely worried. However, I passed the three hour test just fine. So, until you know the results of the second test, do not worry. I did make some minor changes to my diet and cut down on the breads and sugars. I added more protein, etc. In the end I did have a bigger baby (9 lb 10 oz), but she was also 10 days past due date. Anyway, don’t worry right now and follow the instructions for your three hour test exactly as the doctor says.
In addition, in my experience and those that I know of, the OB can take care of GD without sending you to a specialist. Only if you are extremely high risk will they refer you out.
Take care – and don’t worry.
1. No, you don’t need to see a high ridk MD.
2. Yes, you can still pass the three hour glucola. Just because you failed the first test, doesn’t mean you are diabetic. But, if you fail the three hour, then you definately are.
3. As long as you control your sugar levels, the baby should do very well. I have seem many GD mothers with average sized babies.
You may pass the next test. But if you don’t they will watch you a bit closer for the size of the baby. I would go ahead and cut out white breads, and sugar now. I had gestional diabetes with my 2nd child and was able to control it with diet changes. Now, they have told me to go ahead and eat like the Suagr Busters Diet to try to avoid it with this pregnancy. This was the advice of two doctors.
My baby was born two weeks early but weighed 7 pounds. She was fine.
it is something you watch but try not to worry to much.
Well, I wouldn’t start worrying until it’s time. When I did my test, I didn’t pass my first test by so much I didn’t even have to do the three hour one, they told me I had it. My mom was barely lucky though. When she was pregnant with me she didn’t pass the 1 hour test but she did pass the 3 hour test and she was fine. There are many reasons that your sugars can be elevated.
You will not have to start seeing a high risk doctor. I continued with my regular OB, they watch you more closely and have you bring in your book with your daily blood sugars when you go on your routine visits. They try to control it by dieting first, thats whats worked for me. Then they take other measures if that doesn’t control it, like insulin pills or shots.
There are many risks with gestational diabetes BUT as long as your sugars are being controlled they are very very limited. My baby is only 5 days too big and looks extremely healthy. Plus, there is a margin, women carry so differently that if you are measuring 2-3 weeks too big, most of the time its okay. Just listen to your doctor.
And gestational diabetes picks the weirdest people to go after. I am 5 foot and have never been over weight, I never thought it would be me. =]
Good luck in your search for more information and congratulations!
1.) IF you’re diagnosed w/ GD, you may or may not need a specialist. Your doctor will decide what is in the best interest of you and your baby, and send you to the appropriate person for treatment, including but not limited to a dietician.
2.) I, like the other women, failed the 1 hour, and passed the 3 hour. Apparently, this is a very common occurrence, so don’t worry too much. I had been self monitoring my blood glucose for the whole two weeks after failing the first test, and while my blood sugar was a LITTLE off, I made my own diet modifications and whatnot, then passed the second test with flying colors.
3.) Not all babies born to mothers with GD are born larger, but the risk is increased. A lot of women with larger babies have no problems with deliver either, although sometimes some do require a c-section or early induction. If a baby is born to a mother w/ GD, they will have to monitor both his/her sugars as well as the mother’s after the delivery, and occasionally medications or glucose will be administered. It’s usually not as scary as it sounds, however.
Good luck to you. I believe you’ll be fine.
1. You may need to see a nutritionalist, but I saw the same doctor
2. I have passed the second test and failed the first, by the way they don’t usually tell you that you need to take a pretest before the hour is up, unlike the one hour test so be aware of that. Instead of three draws you get four.
3. This is an answer I gave for another question. Sometimes it happens, I had a 7lb 5 oz baby, she was two weeks early but they swore she would be at least 9. But I did eat really well:
Gestational diabetes really runs in our family. It is my understanding that you don’t need to completely avoid all sugars, it is more important to eat a very balanced diet and to make sure and eat smaller portions and to also do moderate exercises. From all of my family members they said that is was mostly avoided by NOT gaining over the recommended amount of 1 lb per week. Anyone who went over usually got diagnosed. Anyone who stuck to a balanced diet and really monitored their weight managed to avoid it but didn’t manage to avoid diabetes later in life. I also think it depends on heredity. If you want more information go to this website
http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/yourheal…
I am going through all of this right now. I did not pass either test. Although my score was not extremely high. The doctor is sending me to a endocrinologist tomorrow to set up a diet plan and I am sure I will have to check my blood sugar daily. I do not have any history of type 2 diabetes in my family so this has all been a huge surprize for me.
You might still pass the second test so try not to worry and just wait for the results.
From what I am learning, many times with GD the doctor will induce around 38 weeks if the baby is growing too big. Also, it can cause a c-section. I am hoping to control mine with diet and exercise or they will have me start taking insulin also. Good luck. Try not to worry. If you have it they need to know it and the dr. will help you to make the right choices for the health of your baby.