Gestational Diabetes questions (sorta long)

784 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ERSsmom, Jun 3, 2005

tsfairy

Discussion Starter · Jun 3, 2005

My midwife gave me the option of skipping the GTT and instead doing 4x per day fingersticks to check my own blood sugar for a week before my last appt. I thought this would be a more accurate representation of how my body is responding to sugar than the traditional 1-hr sugar-spike test... So I borrowed a monitor and all the paraphernalia that goes with it (my sis had GD with her pregnancy which she managed with diet, so she still had all her testing supplies) and started testing.

At the beginning of my first week of testing I had a few pretty high numbers, but I cut out what I saw as "trigger foods" ie: simple carbs, some types of dairy, sugar, etc. and since then my readings have been pretty stable - mostly in the 90-130 range. My midwife seemed impressed that I was able to keep the numbers down by identifying "triggers" and suggested that I continue testing, which I've been doing. She seemed to think that I do have GD, but that I should be able to manage it with diet alone.

I guess I'm just curious - is this GD, or potential GD, or nothing to worry about? Normal "non-pregnant" blood glucose ranges seem to be higher than pregnant ranges - fasting 80-120 (pregnant 60-90), 2 hr after meals < 160 (pregnant <120). Why are they so different during pregnancy?

I want to do what's best for the baby, and I have read about all the dangers of high blood sugar during pregnancy, so it really freaks me out when I get a "high" reading. Am I being overly cautious or do I have reason to freak out?

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alegna

· #2 · Jun 3, 2005

Do a search for GD and Henci Goer. I don't think it's really a condition to worry about at all. I refused all testing.

-Angela

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mom2emerson

· #3 · Jun 3, 2005

I've seen several threads here regarding GD, managing it as well as whether or not it even "really exists".

I had it with my last preg and did manage it with diet/exercise. I did not have it with my first preg and don't test out of the ordinary when I'm not preg so.......I guess I am just in the "better safe than sorry" camp when it comes to pregnancy and GD. My understanding is that the risk for pre-eclampsia (sp?) is greater if it is not controlled, as well as other possible risks. Alot of people freak out (as I did) when they find out they have GD because of the assumption that it means C-section for sure. That isn't the case (I had an amazing natural child birth).

I'm not a medical practicioner or Midwife or anything even remotely close so I can't say if you do or don't have it. Sounds like you have a good relationship with your Midwife, I'd discuss it with her. I do think it is cool she had you do the finger prick test for a day rather than spiking your blood sugar to do one test. I'll have to ask my Ob about that next time around! Plus, you have the added benefit of your sister having gone through it and hopefully she can give you some guidance if it becomes an issue.

best of luck!

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Shanana

· #4 · Jun 3, 2005

Just passing along what my doula said, with the disclaimer that I've done no additional research to verify her statements (I passed the 1 hour GTT). She said she thinks it's normal for blood sugar levels to elevate some during pregnancy, and is disgusted that they actually set the limits lower than when you're not pregnant (as you indicated). So, if what she's saying is true, then the medical community holds pg women to a higher standard, when they should actually be relaxing it a little. But for all I know, that's just her opinion, so take it with a grain of salt ...

Shana
EDD 7/29/05

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ERSsmom

· #5 · Jun 3, 2005

I don't normally post here, but I thought it might help if I share my experience with GD.

I had GD pretty much like what you decscribe. With diet, I was able to keep my sugar level from ever becoming elevated. Actually, I didn't always stick to the diet 100%, but still no elevated sugar levels. However, I did recognize trigger foods and avoided them. Around the last month or last couple of weeks of my pregnancy (can't remember exactly) the doc told me that I didn't have to continue doing finger pricks if I just kept up the diet. So I quit. The baby was 7 lbs 13 oz and perfectly healthy. They didn't check his sugar levels or anything.

The fact that he told me to stop checking my sugar levels made me wonder if I really had GD. My understanding is that the further along you are, the harder it is to maintain sugar levels.

But I trusted him and just kept up the diet as best I could.

While I think you should be concerned to the point that you try to follow the diet (ie. spacing out carbs, keeping the carb portions small, and eating six or so small meals a day). I don't think you should be overly concerned or stressed.

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