TTMA Gestational Diabetes Consults

[gratefulgirl]

Can anyone who has experience help me out? I just got diagnosed. Never had it before, so it's all new territory. I have my appointment with whomever is supposed to explain next steps coming up and I'm looking for what to know and what to ask.

[bonnesetter27]

I had GD with my DD. At the first appt they will talk about how many carbs you will be allowed at each meal and snack. Then they will give you a glucose meter and teach you how to use it. You will have to test after each meal and first thing in the morning. If you don't respond well to the diet plan you may need to go on insulin. I had to take insulin at night for my fasting number (it's the hardest to control). Not much changed in my diet except I had to avoid over-indulgences. I also had to exercise every day to help. After about week 34 it became a lot easier to control my numbers though. Just remember this is not your fault and you didn't do anything to deserve this.

I would ask about how long they will let you go over before they induce. Also what extra testing will need to be done. (I had weekly non-stress tests starting at week 34, I think). Those are questions for your ob really. The nutritionist or endocrinologist will give you guidelines but really it about figuring it out. What would make my sugar spike would not do the same to you.

[gratefulgirl]

May 19, 2016 20:36:18 GMT -5 bonnesetter27 said:

I had GD with my DD. At the first appt they will talk about how many carbs you will be allowed at each meal and snack. Then they will give you a glucose meter and teach you how to use it. You will have to test after each meal and first thing in the morning. If you don't respond well to the diet plan you may need to go on insulin. I had to take insulin at night for my fasting number (it's the hardest to control). Not much changed in my diet except I had to avoid over-indulgences. I also had to exercise every day to help. After about week 34 it became a lot easier to control my numbers though. Just remember this is not your fault and you didn't do anything to deserve this.

I would ask about how long they will let you go over before they induce. Also what extra testing will need to be done. (I had weekly non-stress tests starting at week 34, I think). Those are questions for your ob really. The nutritionist or endocrinologist will give you guidelines but really it about figuring it out. What would make my sugar spike would not do the same to you.

Thanks. I already have to have an RCS due to having two prior c-sections, so I guess it's just a question of whether or not they would move the c-section before 39 weeks.

[silvermelody]

She covered most of it but there are also oral medications, like glyburide, that can be given instead of insulin. I had the most trouble with my morning fasting blood sugar, so I took glyburide once a day in the morning. It works by basically kicking your body into producing more insulin itself.

I'd say about half or 2/3s of GD patients can control it with diet and exercise. The general rule of thumb was 15g of carbs for snacks, 30g of carbs with meals, and always eat some protein and/or vegetables with your carbs to slow down the digestion.

They typically would not move the c-section earlier than 39 weeks unless baby was measuring really large for gestational age.

[islandlover]

I had GD with DD (I'm hoping I don't get it again with this pregnancy). During my consult I watched a video and the woman went over all kinds of different foods that I could still eat. I was told to stay at 45g for meals and 15g for snacks and could eat meat in between if I was hungry since there is no carbs. I was induced at a little over 39 weeks because my dr didn't want me to go over my due date and he was going to be out of town for that actual date so he gave me the choice to wait three more days or go ahead. I was fortunate that I was able to control my GD with just better food choices amd didn't have to do insulin or any other meds.