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Monday, April 27, 2009

Gestational Diabetes

So I little over a week ago I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I met with a diabetes counselor as well as an endocrinologist last week to go over what I would need to do. They gave me the info on the diet as well as the info and supplies to prick my finger four times a day to test my blood sugar. They gave me certain numbers I needed to be under. After following the diet and exercising for a week my numbers were higher than they were supposed to be. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong without realizing it. I went back to the counselor today and she said I was doing everything right but my body was still having troubles. There wasn't any reason for why my numbers were still high, it was just how my body was producing hormones. So I get to start on insulin today! Yippee. So I continue to follow the diet I'm on but now am adding insulin as well. I go back to the endocrinologist tomorrow and he might adjust my dosage and my diet a little bit.

I met with my ob right after and she didn't give me any better news.....well I'd lost three pounds so she could tell I was following the diet.....not that the goal was for me to lose weight and she doesn't want me to continue to lose. She said the baby was just really big, I asked her if she could give me an idea of how big we're talking about. She said anywhere from 5 1/2 lb. to 7 lbs. The baby wasn't measuring the same up/down and side/side so she couldn't tell for sure. But I'm only 32 1/2 weeks so that is pretty big already. I have an ultrasound in two weeks so we can see for sure because gestational diabetes causes there to be more fluid. I was thinking maybe I would be able to have the baby early (as long as it was safe and the baby was healthy) so I could stop this diet/insulin thing earlier. Well she informed me that with gestational diabetes it takes even longer for the baby's lungs to develop. I was thinking maybe they would deliver at 36-37 weeks but she said they would wait until 39 weeks. But start me before 40 weeks to not have her gain that last little weight. So I think I see a C-section in my future:( Not at all what I wanted but we'll do what is best for the baby and everything will work out. The doctor wouldn't say for sure that I'll need a c-section but she also said I would have a hard time delivering a baby that was much bigger than Matthew and he was 7 lb 12 oz. And at this point it certainly sounds like she'll be bigger than that.

Sorry for this long post with all the details that most people don't care about but I figured I would just get the info out for anyone who cares.

4 comments:

Janis said...

Thanks for sharing all of this Andrea! And continue to keep us informed after the various appointments. I know it will all be worth it!

Melissa said...

Andrea, I am so sorry you have to go through all this craziness. Sometimes I wonder if docs really help or just give you more work to do. I hope things get better. We send our love. PS I know a girl who had a 12 lb baby and the baby is just fine.

Katie said...

We all care. Best to you during this last part of pregnancy. Pregnancy at the end is always tough, but to add this news is no fun at all. Hopefully the baby isn't as big as they think and it is just extra fluids.
Hang in there, we will be thinking of you. The end is in sight.

Amanda said...

Its all very interesting to hear. In fact, I'm interested in what eating restrictions you have. I don't know if I could prick myself four times a day. Do you have to give yourself an insulin shot? Or is it some kind of medication? I'll be thinking of you. Hopefully the baby won't be too big so you can have a normal delivery.