Diabetes UPDATE

I had GD with my last 2 pregnancies. I also have diabetes in my family. I would say don't take a chance and follow the diet that you are given. With my first GD pregnancy my numbers were great because I was so worried that I followed the diet to the T. I have also found that as years have gone on being so aware of my sugar levels when pregnant has made me more intune now.

You do not want to mess around with blood sugars during pregnancies.

I spent 8 years in the world of diabetes selling insulin and other hormone-based injectible medications.

Rule of thumb: being diabetic is just like being pregnant. You either are or you are not. There is no borderline. If they told you your test came back positive, you are, and you need to be referred to an Endocrinologist, a Certified Diabetes Educator and a Dietician (who may also be your CDE).

When I started in Diabetes in 2001, there were an estimated 17million people in the US with Diabetes. Today, there are almost 25 million. 1/3 of the people who have diabetes don't know it because doctors aren't doing a good job of following American Diabetes Association guidelines for diagnosis.

In general, if your Fasting Blood Sugar (before you've eaten) is over 126, you have diabetes. If it's over 180 after a 2 hour glucose tolerance test, you have Diabetes. Plain and simple.

Your target ranges should be below 126 mg/dL for FPG (fasting plasma glucose) and under 140 mg/dL for PPG (post prandial glucose - 2 hours after meals).

Good luck - please see a Certified Diabetes Educator. Insurance will cover the costs, and they know Gestational Diabetes much better than your OB.

Holy cow guys.......she didn't say that she was going to go eat a whole apple pie or anything. ;) I don't think she was planning on ignoring her doctor.....just looking for people who might have some insight. If she is getting normal readings four times a day she must be doing SOMETHING right. Everyone kind of freaked out a little. IMHO.

My doctors said that I was the only one who has ever refused the GD test. I made that decision after reading that it is actually normal for a mother's glucose levels to run higher in order to ensure that the baby gets enough...I understand that this is a very serious situation for many women, but I also wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if it was inappropriately/over-diagnosed.

Maybe you are just doing really well with your diet. Call your nurse and ask.

Follow the diet...it is healthy for you to eat that way whether or not you have GD...and cut our sugar, how can THAT hurt you? Then take your readings...if you were misdiagnosed so what you are eating healthy avoiding sugars and making sure your blood sugar levels are fine.

If you ignore it...no biggie for YOU...but your baby will have to process all the sugar that you put in your body for you. That is why GD is bad, not for the mother but for the baby. That is why they grow so big, because they have to process the extra sugars for the mother...her pancreas has stopped working temporarily...the baby must use up all the sugar, they put on extra weight and then can have a hard time regulating their own blood sugar when born.

So for the health of your baby please keep checking your blood sugar levels and watch what you eat.

Dear S.:

Gestational diabetes does not always show up on tests for some time. There are also many errors made in this testing. You have to take into consideration how you feel. If you feel that you may have it or the diagnosis comes back positive, there are very easy ways of reversing it.

Let me know.

Kim

What numbers is your doctor using to diagnose diabetes? My doctor under Blue Cross diagnosed me as being diabetic while my doctor under a new insurance calls it pre-diabetes. Not all of the medical community hasn't decided how to diagnose when the numbers are marginal. So, I have had pre-diabetes for several years now. My numbers are usually in the high normal range. They haven't changed over the years. I don't remember the numbers but you can find them by looking up diabetes on the Internet.

I don't know if doctors have different numbers for gestational diabetes or if when you're pregnant you have to be more careful of diet even in the pre-diabetes range.

Also, if you're eating appropriately for diabetes your numbers are going to be normal.

Also, if he diagnosed diabetes from a fasting blood glucose test and then had you drink a glucose solution his diagnosis is probably based on how well your pancreas handled the sudden jolt of glucose (sugar) and how long it took for the number to return to normal.

Are you following a strict diet? Maybe thats why your numbers have been so good? I would say if you aren't following a strict diet to maintain a target blood sugar, then somebody made a mistake. Hm, I would record all your numbers, times and diet and talk to your OB.

I had gestational diabetes with only with my first pregnancy. I kept a food diary which really helped with knowing which foods sent for readings up or down. I was very boarder line when they diagnosed me and had had an enormous meal the day before with an huge chocolate pud, which I really think didn't help. Fortunately it was only for 2/3 weeks right at the end of my pregnancy. They did monitor me for a few days after and check my baby's blood sugars too. If your readings are in the normal ranges, you are obviously eating the right foods. How long have you got to go? All the best with your future arrival! :-)

i had that while pg too!!! but i have family members that do indeed have diabetes so my chance is much higher!!! they gave me a strict diet while sometimes i would eat food out of my diet so my numbers would be low and then normal, then high it varied. so my dietician told me to follow it really well because i could have still had it after birth!! and it could also mean that it will affect my child so i followed it for her sake!! my numbers were pretty good then!!! FOLLOW YOUR DIET!!!!

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!! -MELLY

maybe you should call your doctor and have them re-check your test results. accidents do happen.

Well I have a little something different to say then any of the other comments out there. Did you do the really long test where you take blood like every hour for like 4 times I think it was? If not I suggest that you make your doctor do this one to be 100% sure you have it. I was considered border line gestational diabetic. My OBGYN recommended me to go see a diabetic doctor. I can tell you I believe to this day that he wanted me to do this to keep my weight from getting to high as that was the rate I was headed. I did go and I followed there diet and the testing and filled out the forms and sent them every week. This was with many many tears. I was told at first it would probably be high, but by 2 weeks I should be testing a lot better. Well I was not quit 2 weeks when I went in for a follow up and I actually saw my test results getting better. At the appointment they told me that they want me to do insulin. OMG I hate shots with a passion. I mean seriously I am like a little 5 year old getting them. I get very worked up. So, of course I was going to do what I had to because it was for the baby and well me to I suppose. Since I don't like shots I made my husband do it. OMG let's just say I never did it again after that!!!!! I kept an eye on my tests and they never ever said anything to me again and they didn't even know I was not taking them. I will also tell you there were a few times I felt very dizzy and fainty like. I would eat like a little honey bunn and feel much better. I truly believe you know your body better then anyone, I felt like I was laking sugar on numerous occasions. I am not saying ignore it, but try to compromise just to be on the safe side. Good Luck and congrats on the new little one.