Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy questions and answers

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Q: What is low & high range for pregnancy gestational diabetes test?
Just wondering the normal range (low & high) for the 1 hour gluscose test they give you when you're 27 weeks pregnant to test for gestational diabetes. On the web, I found the high to be 140, but nothing about the low side is. I want to know what side of the range i'm on. i tested at 125.

A: High according to my Doctor was 120. Was able to control it by watching with a balanced diet (no carbs or sugars). Only tested at 120 a few times, but watched my diet closely. All went well, baby arrived a couple of weeks early 7 lbs 7 oz, healthy, happy, no problems.

Q: Why do they test so late in pregnancy for Gestational Diabetes?
I only have 14 weeks left in pregnancy and my doctors are saying they want to do the test for Gestational Diabetes. Why it is it important to have this test? The babys body is developed already, so why dont they do this test a lot earlier in pregnancy? What happends if I say no to the test? Anything bad happends?

A: Well, having had GD twice now, I believe the tests are important. It's caused by the placenta messing up your bodies natural ability to produce insulin to break down and digest sugars properly, and this often doesn't occur until the hormones start to change again in the 3rd trimester to prepare for post partum period. The 1st test is the one hour, if you fail that, you go back for a 3 hour, same procedure. Since I had it before, I was tested at 6 weeks this time, and am on a diet, medication, and I see the doctor every 2 weeks. As a previous poster said, one of the main things to watch for is a big baby. GD babies born vaginally often end up with broken arms, or shattered shoulders/collarbones, or get stuck in the birth canal. You can also not produce enough amniotic fluid for them to live in, so there can be problems caused by that. The most dangerous thing to watch for, is the fact that having gestational, or regular diabetes can cause your placenta to start to disintergrate early, which can result in stillbirth if not carefully monitored. GD often culminates in a c-section, though not always. The first test is very easy, you just get up in the morning(fasting is usually but not always recommended), go to the lab, drink a small bottle of sugary tasting orange or lime soda(it's not a pop really) and get blood drawn exactly 1 hour later. With all the risks that GD raises, I recommend getting the test so you can be prepared. It's a simple thing to do to make sure you get the proper care and that your baby lives to meet you once s/hes born. Other than being bigger or possibly needing oxygen/sugar, GD babies are usually remarkably healthy if proper care is taken.

Q: So if I don't have gestational diabetes this pregnancy, why has sugar bothered me for over 2 years now?
I haven't been able to intake anything with real sugar since I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy, I lost over 50 pounds since then. But is it possible to still have diabetes but maybe not gestational diabetes? I rarely intake sugar substitute and as little as I've had, I kind of reject it as well. What could be going on? a tiny grain of sugar or sugar substitute would leave a dreadful aftertaste and sickness for hours. Thanks for your input.

A: This does not sound like diabetes it sounds more like a reaction to either the sugar/sweetener or the sweetness of them Since my diagnosis of diabetes and the reduction of sugar in my diet many foods I used to enjoy now taste extremely sweet and sticky

Q: Moms and pregnant moms: Gestational Diabetes and pregnancy?
I was just told I have Gestational Diabetes....I see the nurse on Monday but I was wondering if anyone else experienced this and what happened during your pregnancy and after? Does it go away? I'm 31 weeks along. I know I can read up on it but I'd rather have personal experiences. Thank you.

A: I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy. And frankly, aside from having to watch what you eat, it's not that big of a deal. Just listen to what your doctor tells you and follow his orders so that way, your baby will be safe. And I do believe they go away after you have your baby. Mine did. However, I think it makes the risk of developing diabetes later on higher.

Q: Anyone detected with type 2 (not gestational) diabetes during pregnancy?
Anyone detected with type 2 (not gestational) diabetes during pregnancy? What care did you take during pregnancy? Did you do special ultrasound sessions? Wanted to know the outcome of the pregnancy? Did you deliver a normal baby? I am 11 weeks pregnant.

A: How do you know its not gestational? The Placenta creates a hormone around 20- 24 weeks that contradicts your insulin. It may be just that! And Type two if its that works the Same way as the Gestational you are not making enough insulin. I had Gestational Diabetes it went away right after Delivery . I took Glyberide, as the placenta gets bigger it produces more of that hormone and I needed more Glyberide. From about 32 weeks and up i needed an ultrasound every week to check the baby wasn't growing to fast. I also had to take whats called a non stress test 2 times a week, this checks to make sure the babys heartrate is good and its not under any stress. I had a healthy baby boy. Because of the diabetes he was producing more insulin than a normal baby so he was a hypoglecemic the first days of his life. He was in NICU for a couple of days on a sugar IV as they weened him off the sugar. Now he has no hypoglacemia and he is happy and healthy. BTW he was only 6 lbs 7 oz so i Delivered Vaginally. Dont let people tell you because you have diabetes you have to deliver by c-section that is not true! I hope that helped

Q: What is the chance of me getting gestational diabetes with this pregnancy?
My first born was healthy, as was I. My second born was born with hypoglycemia and had to stay in the NICU for several days before I could take him home. I am now 3 1/2 months pregnant with my third. What would be the chance of me getting the gestational diabetes again?

A: The chances are a lot higher. You are supposed to have the 1 hour glucose test right when you find out your pregnant as opposesd to the standard 24 weeks(I forget when the actual time when every mom is checked). I just had a baby 5 months ago and had gestaional diabetes and this is what they told me at the class they made us take. Start checking your blood sugars now before your next appointment with the doctor.

Q: May be a dumb question, but can eating too much sugar during pregnancy cause gestational diabetes?
I'm 26 weeks now and I have the glucose test coming up in a week or so. I couldn't help eating a bag of sour gummy worms. I don't really eat to much sugar, but I drink a lot of oj, and grape juice. What causes gestational diabetes?

A: If you have the predisposition for gestational diabetes, your diet will absolutely affect whether you get it. If you don't have that predisposition, you could eat ice cream all day and it wouldn't "cause" it. But you don't know if you are likely to get it unless you had it in an earlier pregnancy, or it runs in your family. So until you're tested, it's a good idea to avoid big loads of sugar just in case you do have glucose intolerance. OJ and grape juice are two of the most hard-hitting fast sugars that you can ingest. That's what they prescribe diabetics whose blood sugars are falling into coma level because it can raise them so quickly. If you have reason to think you might end up with gestational diabetes then you'd want to cut those out of your diet, but unless you have reason to think that, I would just keep the treats and sweets to an occasional thing and not all the time.

Q: how does a woman develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
i was curious to know!

A: I don't think there is too much you can do to make it happen or to prevent it. If you are going to get it, you are going to get it. It is all about how your body breaks down sugars. You won't suddenly begin breaking down sugar more efficiently, because you suddenly start eating right and you won't suddenly break the down the sugars less efficiently, because you started eating more sugar. The major risk factor for getting gestational diabetes is being over 25. Also, having it in your family or having gotten it before can play a part, but you won't necessarily get it.

Q: How early in pregnancy can u develop gestational diabetes??
I had gestational diabetes with my second baby. Now im 5 weeks pregnant again and craving nothing but sweets. I mean i am living off of sugar!! It dawned on me this morning that it could be diabetes again but is it to early in pregnancy to develop it?? Ive always heard of it developing later on.

A: It is possible that you actually already had diabetes before even becoming pregnant again. Since you did have it once, it is possible to have never really gotten rid of it. Diabetes can come at any age, gender, or race. Be careful with the sweets for now, just in case. Also, if the sweets your craving are chocolate, it is possible that you are just craving the caffeine in chocolate. It is normal to be tired during pregnancy, and want a little boost. Let your doctor know on your next visit, just in case. Good luck :)

Q: how does gestational diabetes effect my pregnancy?
hello everyone! i am 31 wks preg and this is not my first pregnancy but this is the first time i've even came across this problem. i had an appointment early this week and i was told i had developed gestational diabetes. has any one ever had this problem? will that cause them to induce me before my due date? what is the worst possible scenario and what is the best.

A: I had it. It depends on how bad it is. My case wasn't bad at all, so I just had to check my blood sugar levels every day and watch what I ate. If it's really bad, you may have to take insulin injections. The biggest threat it poses to a pregnant woman is that she could have a larger baby. My son was 8 lbs 1 oz on his due date. If they worry the baby is getting too large, they may induce you early, or if they think it's already too big, they may decide to do a c-section. btw, I was induced and had a c-section, but not for that reason, and it wasn't the worst thing in the world. I would have been able to deliver my son fine if he hadn't pulled some major acrobatic moves and got wrapped up in his cord.

Q: What happens at the gestational diabetes test in pregnancy?
What do you have to do and what do the doctors do? I just learned about this test browsing through Yahoo Answers. AND what other kind of tests will I encounter?

A: I would ask your doctor if you have to fast first. If you don't eat anything and then drink the solution, it can cause your body to have to work harder to process the glucose, which could cause you to fail even though you don't have GD. I asked my doctor about this and he agreed. I ate a bagel with butter and cream cheese about two hours before and did just fine. Otherwise, you'll drink the stuff - it's like flat Orange Crush - and sit for an hour, then they'll draw your blood. You can't leave and have to stay the whole time, so bring a book or magazine! Are you pregnant already or just planning? Some tests you will do early on- like checking for blood type, HIV, cystic fibrosis screening, and similar things. Other tests during pregnancy probably include an AFP to check for risk percentages for Downs Syndrome (this can be inconclusive or give false positive readings), a nuchal fold translucency test (triple screen and ultrasound to check for Downs) - you CAN refuse these although your state will probably mandate that you take the HIV test, regardless of risk factors. Later on in pregnancy you will be tested for Strep B, which can be harmful to your child if you test positive during labor and don't have antibiotics. It's nothing to worry about - they'll just give you IV antibiotics when you're in labor to make sure the illness isn't passed to the baby.

Q: If you had gestational diabetes with previous pregnancy will you have it again?
I'm barely pregnant, maybe about 5 weeks and wondering will i have diabetes again? Has anyone had it a few times or can i luck up with proper diet and not have it again. Thanks

A: My aunt got it with her third but by eating according to the GD diet for her 4th and 5th she never tested positive for it. She considered herself to have it, though - that's just how she kept herself in check mentally.

Q: Gestational Diabetes in 2nd pregnancy? What are the chances?
I'm 24 weeks with my second son, i had gestational diabetes with my first what are the chances i will have it this time? I went to the dr. today and he gave me my lab sheets to go get it done tommrow.

A: I don't know they say it's pretty common once you have it with one child that you will have it with the others. My cousin had it with all four of her children. And I am pregnant with my first and have it! =( It's not really fun!!! Hope you don't have it again!

Q: Gestational Diabetes?
If you get gestational diabetes during pregnancy will you have diabetes for the rest of your life?

A: Not necessarily. I had it and after the pregnancy approx. 3 months later My sugars were back to normal. u must exercise and be careful about what you eat during the pregnancy otherwise your body will think high sugar is the norm and then you will end up diabetic. GOod luck!

Q: Doesn't gestational diabetes usually appear in mid to late pregnancy?
The reason I ask is b/c I suspect that I was a diabetic for about a year now--my doctors recommended I be tested for it, and I never was until I found out that I was pregnant. I failed the test and they diagnosed me as a gestational diabetic when I was only 6 weeks pregnant. I thought that gestational diabetes only appeared in late pregnancies, so now I'm wondering if I had diabetes pre-pregnancy or it this could really be only gestational diabetes. Any advice is appreciated. I was tested b/c of having two babies that were over 9 pounds--I'm in my normal weight range for my height.

A: Although there is no way to know for certain, yes, I think you are right in that you quite possibly already had diabetes BEFORE you became pregnant. *Usually* people are more insulin sensitive early on in pregnancy, so if your blood sugars were elevated that early on, there is a very good chance you already had full blown diabetes. I also suspect this because your doctors "recommended you be tested for it". Were you overweight prior to becoming pregnant? This greatly increases your risk for gestational and Type 2 diabetes. You will have to see what happens. Even if it is "only" gestational diabetes, this puts you at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. Work on losing weight after your pregnancy, eating healthy, and getting regular exercise. In many cases, Type 2 can be prevented or controlled with lifestyle if caught early on. There is no way to know for certain until after your pregnancy. In rare cases, pregnancy can trigger Type 1 diabetes, the rarer non-preventable autoimmune kind that always requires insulin injections. This does not sounds like it applies to you, however.