I was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I don't know what to expect. Is it dangerous?? Will my baby be harmed by it??? What should I do???

My doctor didn't give me any info....said that he would schedule me with a nutrionist and that she would give me information. But I can't get in to see her until next year.

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I know you have a 100 or more questions but I had GD for two of my three pregnancies.
I do not know everything but hopefully I can shed some light for you. With my second baby I ran into trouble around 24 weeks and was able to control my numbers mostly with my diet until 32 weeks. Around that point my fasting numbers were creeping up and no matter what I did I could not bring them down. Hence I needed to inject insulin the last 6 weeks. It was not difficult at all. I felt like I had done something wrong and was beating myself up daily. Your body is just having a hard time utilizing the insulin. The baby was healthy and very closely monitored because they worry about big babies.
My last baby I also developed GD which is common with any subsequent pregnancies. This time I had to inject as early as 14-15 weeks. Again we tolerated it well and was just monitored more closely with a whole bunch of ultrasounds and tests. If it is controlled, it is very manageable. The nutritionist will go through with you how pairing a protein with your carbs will make the food breakdown slower, helping to keep your blood sugars on a even keel. I ended up eating more peanuts then I had ever before. You'll learn how to snack and eat fueling your body the best way possible. Truly I never felt as good as when I was pregnant because I eliminated the peaks and valleys of blood sugar levels.

It's amazing how our bodies work and by doing some easy adaptations our bodies will feel better and perform better. Please do not be worried or scared. Your doctors will be a wealth of knowledge and support for you. I'll be thinking of you and that baby of yours. Please take care and if you need anything drop me a line.

I had GD when I was pregnant with my DD. I was terribly worried when I learned that I had it - but then I realized that I had to control carbs and sweets - nothing else.

My typical breakfast used to be:

2 eggs any style with 2 whole wheat toast.

Lunch was steak and steamed vegetables( you can eat any amount of meat and vegetables - I had a craving for steak so I ate it like crazy)

Dinner was steamed/stir fried vegetable and grilled/baked fish or chicken.

Avoid potatoes and white bread - they made my sugar shoot up.

Drink lots of water after meals and don't sit down immediately after a meal - i used to load the dishwasher.

My doc said that I might have a big baby, but my DD was only 6 lbs 11oz. Don't worry much - one good thing of my GD was that I never gained weight.

Enjoy your pregnancy!

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I also had gestation diabetes with both of my pregnancies. I had to follow a very strict diet, but never had to use insulin. My first baby was 8 pounds, 10 ounces (diagnosed at 24 or 28 weeks) and my second baby was 7 pounds, 7 ounces (diagnosed at 14 weeks) induced one week early. Main things with gestation diabetes is a special diet, taking your blood sugar and testing your urine.

I for one would be upset with your doctor for not explaining it to you or at least have a nurse come in and talk more to you. My sister developed it with her second pregnancy. She had to check her blood sugars (if you have to do this someone will explain it to you). The doctor should keep a close eye on the baby's size towards the end of the pregnancy, because Gest. diab babies tend to be larger. Her's resolved after the pregnancy, but I believe you are at a greater chance of getting diabetes later in life (check with your doctor on that one--I know I read that somewhere).

I had GD during my pregnancy. Once I got used to the diet it really wasn't so bad. I think it was actually a blessing in disguise. I have never eaten so healthy in my life! It also kept me from gaining as much weight as I would have otherwise. The key for me was lots of protein. I ate eggs every morning for breakfast and lots of chicken salad. Of course no sweets or soda, this was hard at first but I got used to it. My baby was born perfectly healthy, 7 lb. 2.5 oz. and his blood sugar level was normal. They tested it after he breastfed for the first time. He was born at 39 wks, 4 days, naturally.
Try not to worry, the stress could be worse for your health than th GD!

I developed it with my dd and it was fine. I was sent to a maternal dietician for info. She told me I could eat whatever I usually did, just in moderation. I had to count carbs and I was able to control it by diet. I had to check my sugar 4x/day. But I had 3 snacks around 30 carbs/each and 3 meals at 60 carbs/each a day. It wasn't bad at all - to me. After the birth of my dd it went away. But try not stress to much. I gained 18 lbs during pregnancy and lost 32 after she was born. That was an added bonus!!! (Even though I gained it back b/c of low iron and being told to eat more.) They watched her weight though...I was induced and delivered at 38 wks and she was 7lbs 5oz, with no signs of her sugar being abnormal. And now you will have a 50/50 chance of developing diabetes later in life. It ran in my family so I have a 75/25 chance. My dd is 18mo and I've had it checked several times since her birth and I have no signs of problems now.

Yes, there is a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes if you have a GD pregnancy. Especially if you do not continue to take care of yourself after you've delivered.

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