Silly question but are these signs of having gestational diabetes?
Apr 06, 2009 | Signs of Gestational Diabetes
I am being tested for gestational diabetes next week. I am considered high risk for developing it because I am over 25 (I am 27), there is a family history of type 2 diabetes, and both my biological grandma & mother developed gestational diabetes during their pregnancies. Now I am paranoid that I have it, and have been consciously watching my carbs & sugars.
I have gained 26 pounds (gradually), and I measured normal at 24 weeks. I am 5’10" and weighed 150 prepregnancy with a very athletic built.
I have been getting comments from people that I am huge and/or I am going to have a big baby. Is showing significantly and my weight gain indicators that I might have gestational diabetes? Any one else been told they are considered high risk for gestational diabetes but didn’t end up getting it?
Thank you for all of your help.
Hey, wasn’t even told I was high risk and I had it. I’m 27, weighed 112 before pregnancy and 140 when I gave birth and I’m 5’3". So I was skinny everywhere except for my belly. I was border line gestational. I had to take a class on how to watch carbs.
Don’t eat anything with carbs the night before the test. if you fail the first one, Eat something like Cheerios the morning of the second test.
When I went to take the class, I was the only skinny prego in there, so there is a possiblitly. Good, luck. I’m sure you will be fine. My son and I are!
August 31st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
umm my sister is a mom and she had a big risk for gestatinoal diabets dont worry about it 1/10 chance youll get it my sisiter ended up not getting
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August 31st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
No matter what your signs are, you are asking people to diagnose you. Your doctor is the one to ask. They have test to tell them.
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August 31st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
My best friend was told that, but didnt end up getting it. Lots of times its you are higher risk b/c of family history, eating habits, weight gain…ect. But if you are eating healthy like the doctor tells you to then theres not much more you can do. You have to eat enough to keep that child inside you healthy! Eat healthy and try and do light exercises (walking, floor exercises, pregnancy palates..ect) If you do get it, then you did your best to prevent it!
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August 31st, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Having been a gestational diabetic twice, I can say from personal experience that size really wasn’t a factor for me. I didn’t even know I had it until I tested positive for it. The test is a bit time consuming, drinking all that sugar water for a few hours, but testing is really the only way to know for sure. The diet isn’t too bad, but testing 3 to 4 times was a bit of a pain (no pun intended!). Other signes of diabetes as frequent urination and extreme thirst, but again not everybody will have those signs. If it turns out you ARE, no worries, really. My boys were born healthy and beautiful.
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August 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Gestational Diabetes: What it Means for Me and My Baby
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy. If you have diabetes, your body isn’t able to use the sugar (glucose) in your blood as well as it should, so the level of sugar in your blood becomes higher than normal.
Gestational diabetes affects between 1% to 3% of all pregnant women. It usually develops in the second trimester (sometimes as early as the 20th week of pregnancy). Most often, gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born.
How can gestational diabetes affect me and my baby?
High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you and your baby. If the diabetes isn’t treated, your baby may be more likely to have problems at birth. For example, your baby may have a low blood sugar level, jaundice, or your baby may weigh much more than normal. Gestational diabetes can also affect your health. For instance, if your baby is very large, you may have a more difficult delivery or you may need a cesarean section. Gestational diabetes also increases your risk of developing preeclampsia, which is a condition that can be serious if left untreated.
What can I do if I have gestational diabetes?
You will need to follow a diet suggested by your doctor, exercise regularly and have frequent blood tests to check your blood sugar level. You may also need to take medicine to control your blood sugar level.
What changes should I make in my diet?
Your doctor may ask you to change some of the foods you eat. You may be asked to see a registered dietitian to help you plan your meals. You should avoid eating foods that contain a lot of simple sugar, such as cake, cookies, candy or ice cream. Instead, eat foods that contain natural sugars, such as fruits.
If you get hungry between meals, eat foods that are healthy for you, such as raisins, carrot sticks or a piece of fruit. Whole-grain pasta, whole-grain breads and rice are also good for both you and your baby.
It’s important to eat well-balanced meals. You may need to eat less at each meal, depending on how much weight you gain during your pregnancy. Your doctor or dietitian will talk to you about this.
Why is exercise important?
Your doctor will suggest that you exercise regularly at a level that is safe for you and the baby. Exercise will help keep your blood sugar level normal, and it can also make you feel better. Walking is usually the easiest type of exercise when you are pregnant, but swimming or other exercises you enjoy are also beneficial. Ask your doctor to recommend some activities that would be safe for you.
If you’re not used to exercising, begin by exercising for 5 or 10 minutes every day. As you get stronger, you can increase your exercise time to 30 minutes or more per session. The longer you exercise and the more often you exercise, the more in control your will be of your blood sugar.
You do need to be careful about how you exercise. Don’t exercise too hard or get too hot while exercising. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you. Depending on your age, your pulse shouldn’t go higher than 140 to 160 beats per minute during exercise. If you become dizzy or have back pain or other pain while exercising, stop exercising immediately and call your doctor. If you have uterine contractions (labor pains), vaginal bleeding or your water breaks, call your doctor right away.
What tests will I need to have during my pregnancy?
Your doctor will ask you to have regular blood tests to check your blood sugar level. These tests will let your doctor know if your diet and exercise are keeping your blood sugar level normal. A normal blood sugar level is less than 105 mg per dL when you haven’t eaten for a number of hours before the test (fasting) and less than 120 mg per dL 2 hours after a meal. If your blood sugar level is regularly higher than these levels, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called insulin to help lower it.
You may be asked to see a specialist if you have to start taking insulin.
What happens after my baby is born?
You may not need to have blood tests to check your blood sugar while you’re in the hospital after your baby is born. However, it may be several weeks after your baby’s birth before your gestational diabetes goes away. To make sure it has gone away, your doctor will ask you to have a special blood test one or two months after you have your baby.
Even if the gestational diabetes goes away after the baby’s birth, it increases your risk for diabetes in your next pregnancy and also later in life. That is why it is important that you continue to exercise, watch your weight and eat a healthy diet after pregnancy. If you do these things, you may avoid diabetes when you’re older.
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August 31st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I also was considered a high risk for gestational diabetes. I had most of your risk factors plus I was overweight before I got pregnant; was pregnant with twins and was 34. they would have been surprised if I HADN’T had GD. Here’s the thing to remember…you are already doing everything you should be in terms of watching what you are eating and gradually gaining weight. Continue doing that. I did end up being diagnosed with GD and had to test my sugar 4+ times a day (in the morning and after ever meal…sometimes more if it tested high) and by the end of my pregnancy was doing 3 insulin shots a day. It wasn’t fun…but it’s what I needed to do to be healthy for myself and for my babies.
The bottom line, don’t make yourself crazy assuming that you have it. Wait until the test results come back. If you have it you will deal with it. Honestly it’s pretty easy to control (I think) as long as you do what they tell you to do!
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August 31st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hey, wasn’t even told I was high risk and I had it. I’m 27, weighed 112 before pregnancy and 140 when I gave birth and I’m 5’3". So I was skinny everywhere except for my belly. I was border line gestational. I had to take a class on how to watch carbs.
Don’t eat anything with carbs the night before the test. if you fail the first one, Eat something like Cheerios the morning of the second test.
When I went to take the class, I was the only skinny prego in there, so there is a possiblitly. Good, luck. I’m sure you will be fine. My son and I are!
References :