Gestational Diabetes Update

I saw the gestational diabetes specialist this week and learned a ton! She is the kind of doctor who gives you the absolute worst case scenario before she says anything else. As she was sitting there telling me these things, I was thinking she was saying this is what WOULD happen, not what COULD happen, so I was totally freaking out! Then she ended with, "but we can completely control this with your diet, so those things shouldn't happen with you.". She ran a test called an A1C that apparently tells her what my blood sugar has been doing over the past 90 days. She said that my number for that test was average/normal, so that whatever is happening has just started (good news). She also said that my gestational diabetes is placental in nature (there are two types of gestational diabetes, placental and maternal). This means a few things: (1) once I deliver, this is will away, (2) my risk for developing Type II diabetes later in life is less than if it were maternal, (3) my risk for developing gestational diabetes in a future pregnancy is significantly lower than the maternal.

Her treatment for me is to control this with diet. As I met with the dietician, I realized that the diet I put myself on in the two weeks while I was waiting to see the speialist was way too restrictive. The biggest changes have been being conscious about the carbs I am eating and eating more regular, smaller meals throughout the day. It has taken some getting used to, but I know it is good for the baby! The benefit of having an easier time losing baby weight will be good, too! The other part of my treatment is to monitor my blood glucose levels four times a day...which is REALLY not my favorite. I hate it. But knowing it's keeping our little girl healthy makes it worth it. I remember when my nephew was diagnosed with a milk allergy while my sister was still nursing. She had to completely cut milk out of her diet, and I couldn't imagine how she did it. I guess I understand now...even before I've held this child in my arms, I would do anything for her...even stick myself four times a day!