Gestational Diabetes and Big Baby

Chances are they will induce you early. I had GD and mine came early anyway. By-the-way he was only 5 days early and was 6.13 lbs. They usually won't let you go past 40 weeks.

Hi D.-I also had Gestational Diabetes with both of my pregnancies. My son was born 3 days before my due date and was 9lbs 5oz 21inches and my daughter was a scheduled C-section (14mos later) and they did it a week early and she was 8lbs 14oz 21inches. Every doctor is different but my doctor said that because the babies are usually bigger with moms that have Gestational Diabetes, they wouldn't let me go past my due date with my son and they didn't have to because my water broke 3days before. I had no problems with my son he was a C-section because I pushed for 1 1/2 hrs and he wouldn't descend into my pelvis and he was getting stressed. My daughter was a little gurgly and her blood sugars were very low so she had to go to the "special care" nursery for a few hrs but every hospital is different with that too. Most hospitals offer a class on Gestational Diabetes I highly recommend that you take it just so you know how to eat right for your baby cause it is a little different. The better control you have of your blood sugar the better it is for your baby. Best of luck.
C.

Hi D.. I didn't have GD, but just to let you know, I had a 30 wk ultrasound that approximated my baby at 3lbs 6oz (I think the average was 2lbs 9oz)and she weighed 8lbs 13oz at birth (big but not too big to deliver vaginally). I think the 1 &1/2 lb number is not right for a 26 wk ultrasound. I would go on the internet and see what is the average size of a 26 wk fetus. And I think average for full term is 7 &1/2 lbs. So if your a little above average, you can count on a little above 7&1/2 lbs. You may be worrying for nothing. Good luck.

I had GD with my second child who was born in Sept 06. My OB kept saying he was going to be really big, maybe 10 pounds, all the way up to my scheduled c-section. I was dubious, and he ended up being a little under 8 pounds. So even with the ultrasounds they don't really know how big the baby might be, use your own judgment about being induced. I'm a bit overweight and had a large amount of amniotic fluid with both pregnancies, so I'm sure it was sorta difficult to guage the size of the baby, but still my husband and I are not very large people. I was on glyburide the last month or so of my pregnancy to lower my blood sugar. Feel free to email me if you have any questions! I had to check my blood sugar 4 times a day for the last half of the pregnancy, and I felt awful! Sending you lots of energy vibes!

On a side note, I saw you're in Milan -- do you know any of the McGoverns? They're extended family of ours.

I did not have GD, but they had my baby estimated at 9lbs 14oz the week before she was born and they were right on. She ended up being 10lbs 2oz. I highly doubt they will induce early because of size. They would more likely schedule a c-section. They want to make sure the lungs are fully developed. Even though the baby is large in size that doesn't mean that everything internally is developed. I had my us to determine size 1 week before I was due and they wouldn't do a c-section until my 40th week.

Hi D..
I also had gestational diabetes. Per doctor, I was induced right on my due date so that my baby didn't just "sit and get fat." I ended up having my daughter by C-section and she was born 7 lbs. 6oz. I was also told by the neo-natal staff that she had the best blood sugar readings...perfect...for a child born to an insulin dependent mom. I was not just diligent, I was militant about my readings (4x/day), insulin (3x/day) and exercising (walking 2x-3x/day). I'm going to guess, that you will probably be induced if you've not already had the baby by then. Best to you and your family!

Every person is different, but I have been told that as long as you keep your blood suger levels under control, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I had Gestational Diabetes with all 3 of my pregnancies. All of my children were born average weight...7lbs. 6oz., 7lbs 15oz., and 8lbs. 2oz. I was induced with all three, but not because of the GD, just because they werwe ALL over due by 1 - 2 weeks.

I hope this puts your mind to ease a bit.

~J.

Hi D.,

I had GD with both of my kids. I actually had to go on insulin with both of them too (which may be the case for you if you can't get your sugars under control). They won't induce more then a week early because they can't be sure the baby is ready. They won't let you go past your due date though, since you are at higher risk of having a larger baby. Both of my babies were 7lbs 9oz. So not big. I wouldn't take the measurements too seriously because they can be off quite often. 2 weeks before my daugther was born she was measuring at less then 5 pounds and 2 weeks later was born at 7lbs 10oz. My doctor actually would feel my belly and tell me what he thought and he was really good at it. Infact he guessed my sons weight before he was born and was 2 oz off :) So ask your doc. what she thinks from feeling the baby. And don't worry....they will probably do another ultra sound later to test the babies weight incase they think it is too big for a vaginal birth. Let me know if you have any other questions about the gd or going on insulin or anything.

Good luck and congrats.

Hi D.!
I was diagnosed with G.D too with my first baby. I was scared, but everything turned out okay. The ultrasounds later in pregnancy are not accurate- ( I was told..) and they measured my son at almost 10 pounds and I was freaked! But he was only 8 pounds! Just watch what you eat and drink and take care of yourself. Exercise can help lower blood sugar too.

I had GD when I was pregnant.
My dr. told me she doesn’t like to induce more than a week early.
And there was talk of possibly having a C-section because it was my first pregnancy and she didn't know if I could handle delivering a big baby.
I ended up going into labor (on my own) 6 weeks early and my daughter weighed 6lbs. 10oz.
I just remember having to watch what I ate and drank. I had to test my blood sugar levels 4x a day. Never had to take insulin but I did take some type of med. that I can't remember the entire name.
It seems like a common thing. I know a few people that had it.
As soon as I delivered my daughter, they checked her blood sugar level and mine - both were normal. It's amazing how fast my levels went back to normal after I had her.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
Good luck :)