what is gestational diabetes?

I was diagnosed with GD with buuba no.2. Just like sgili3 I had to test my blood sugar levels on a daily basis & monitor everything I ate. I started to only eat grilled & steamed food & only drunk water. The only sugars I ate were natural sugars from fruit etc. I was already excercing on regular basis before I was pregnant & continued right up until birth (obviously during the later stage it was just walking!) But by changing my eating habits I was able to control my sugar levels & didn't need to have the inslin injections. Good Luck!

Hi Clever Bubbles. At week 26 I was diagnosed with GD. This meant that I needed to start a 'diet' and exercise programe, and was required to test my blood sugar levels 4 times a day. ( before breakfast, and 2 hrs after breakfast, lunch and dinner). My diet consisted of 12 serves of carbs a day ( 3 for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and 1 at 3 x snack times). I also had to start exercising ( I started walking for around 40 mins- hr a day). A month after being diagnosed it was decided by my diabetic educator ( who I have to see weekly), that diet alone was not controlling the GD, so I began insulin. Currently, I am injecting myself 4 x a day. My diet hasnt changed as such, but taking the insulin means I can relax a little with my diet ( especially great over Christmas), and I can self adjust my insulin intake depending on the meal. ( for example- I was having a souvlaki and chips for dinner last night, so doubled the dose of insulin I would have normally taken). The ob's concern was weight gain, but thankfully I have only put on on 4.5 kilos this whole pregnancy ( im 38 weeks), and there has been no weight gain since being diagnosed with GD. Having GD though, means that the baby and I will be monitered closely after the birth ( as the baby may have a sugar low). I have started expressing colostrum so they have something 'sugary' for the baby. The chance of having diabetes after the delivery is small, but 5 weeks post partum, I will be having another glucose tolerance test, to check that everything is back to normal. My sugar levels need to be around 5 in the morning and 7 for remainder of day. Yesterday I had my 1st 'hypo'- sugar low- but I will be seeing my diabetic educator again today. * Im back in Oz- and once diagnosed with GD, I had to see a dietician( who I have seen monthly), and a diabetic educator ( who is seen weekly!). I have also met with the endocrinologist a few times.....so if you have been diagnosed with GD or have had diabetes- you should be monitored closely*

How is your blood sugar now? Not sure how often you are checking, but are you able to stay within your range most of the time? There are still some questions about the long term effects of glucophage during pregnancy, which is probably why your dr stopped it, but you should definitely discuss how you are controlling your diabetes with your dr and be honest with her if you are having trouble. Don't worry too much, it's important to pay attention to your blood sugar but type 2 diabetes is very controllable and I'm sure with a bit of support you and your little one are going to do very well :-) I think you just need a bit more information / guidance from your dr.

No, you are not at risk for developing type 1 diabetes, which is a different condition than type 2. You are however at risk for having serious repercussions from your type 2 diabetes. It's very important to follow the menu guidelines for your and your baby's health. Adding 45 minutes of moderate exercise per day (like brisk walking) can have an excellent effect on your blood sugar stabilisation. If you aren't able to manage your diabetes with diet and exercise then your dr will start you on insulin. Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that develops in a pregnant woman who was not diabetic pre-pregnancy, and usually disappears after the baby's birth. However, if you were already diabetic before falling pregnant you need to be doubly careful during pregnancy, and will probably need to deal with this condition for the rest of your life. Why did your dr stop the glucophage? Were you ever able to control your diabetes w/ diet and exercise before pregnancy? GL

ok, so am freaking out as i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over a year a go...it was managed with glucophage....and then at around 16 weeks my doc took them off me.... told to have a low carb diet, which i did quite well, up until xmas....and now i am quite worried :( so i am at risk of changing from type 2, to type 1 diabetes? edited by Clever Bubbles on 05/01/2011 BUMP

It's an issue related to the pancreas and if you're diagnosed with this (from your glucose tolerance test at about 28 weeks) then you're going to have to monitor your blood sugars for the rest of your pregnancy. Often you're able to manage to control your blood sugars within the normal range with dietary changes - low carb, high protein, healthy eating etc. Although, if you're not able to control your blood sugar levels you may need to self-inject insulin into your tummy. It may mean (if not controlled) that your baby will be larger. It may also mean you put on more weight. There is also a chance that after delivery, your blood sugar levels and control by your pancreas does not return to normal and it can become a life-long issue. After bub is born, they will monitor their blood sugar as it can be low or drop after delivery and they may need a simple IV cannula with IV fluids containing glucose to stabilise their blood sugar. Your LO will not develop diabetes after delivery - the risk is for you. HTH.