The Mom Crowd

My journey with Gestational Diabetes (GD) began during my 24th week of pregnancy when I failed my first one hour blood sugar test. I then had to take a three hour test where I fasted, drank some very sweet orange soda, and got my blood drawn four times to test my blood sugar levels every hour. I was not very concerned about failing the second test, because I had many friends who told me that they failed the first test, but passed the second one. Even though I knew that I had a family history of diabetes, I believed that I was in shape and eating a reasonably healthy diet, so this wouldn’t affect me.

My results came a few days later and I was shocked to learn that I had Gestational Diabetes. The news brought both disappointment and fear because I didn’t really know what this meant for my baby and me. I knew I was not looking forward to the hassle of extra doctor visits and learning about a whole new issue when I was already a naturally tired pregnant lady. Also, I knew that my diet and lifestyle would have to completely change. This now meant that I would have to see a Specialist and attend a class.

I went to the class where they taught me about the condition, testing my blood sugar, and my diet. Unfortunately, after the class, I was still unclear about what exactly GD was and how it affected my baby, my delivery, and me. All I really knew was that I could have a very big baby. I didn’t understand the diabetic diet that they had given me. What is one bread serving anyway? Diabetic measurements were a whole new encrypted code that I had to figure out. I was also instructed to test my blood sugar by pricking my finger seven times a day. All of this information was confusing and I was feeling overwhelmed. After my extended period of morning sickness, this was the worst week of my pregnancy.

That night before I had to start testing myself, I went out for my last meal – French toast. During dinner, my husband helped me plan out a schedule of when to test, when to eat, and what to eat. The first two weeks were hard, but eventually everything turned into a habit.

I had a lot of motivation to stay on track with the my GD diet:

• I really wanted to have a natural birth and to not be induced or have a C-section. I knew that if I was going to have a big baby, the chances of having a natural birth became less.
• I thought that if I was eating healthy, then I was teaching my child how to eat healthy too. I liked the idea that I could teach my child something in the womb. I was hoping that I could teach him/her to like all kinds of foods.
• I had to turn in my blood sugar meter readings every two weeks. I lived for the nurse and doctor to tell me what a great job I was doing. I wanted/needed that pat on the back to keep going.
• I knew that this diet was not forever. I had huge plans for desserts to be delivered to my hospital room. My friend even came over the Saturday after I had given birth and made me Stuffed French Toast in freshly baked cinnamon chip bread with pure Maple syrup – the best French Toast I ever had in my life.

Towards the end of my pregnancy my doctor wanted to schedule an induction date. It was scheduled six days before my due date. I told my very-knowledgeable-about-birth friend about my inducement date and she questioned me closer about the reasoning behind the induction. She also pointed out that a lot of inductions end up in cesareans. I realized that I was not sure why I had to be induced. All I knew was that I had a chance of having a large baby.

I discussed my concerns about being induced with my doctor. We pushed back the induction date six days to my due date, with the option of seeing how it goes to not induce. My doctor also confirmed that the chances of having a C-section went up significantly if I was going to be induced. I was relieved to push back the induction date with the option of not doing it if I did not want to. I was also thankful for my friend who helped me see my options, instead of passively agreeing to everything. I felt empowered to make decisions that felt right for myself and my baby.

I gave birth naturally without any medicine two weeks before my due date. Four days before I went into labor an ultrasound said that my baby weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces. When my daughter, Ace, was born she was 6 pounds and 7 ounces.

After my delivery I was with Ace for over an hour, I was able to nurse for the first time and my family came in and saw her. Then, they took Ace to do all their normal stuff and move me to another room. I didn’t know until they brought her back to me that they had given her sugar water in the nursery. I was so mad. I had learned in my breastfeeding class that you shouldn’t give them sugar water and because it was nurses who told me this, I assumed that the hospital nurses would know. I also thought because I told them that I planned to nurse, that they wouldn’t give her the water. I was wrong in my assumptions. Ultimately, I was able to nurse and it was really unclear what effect it had on Ace. I don’t know if initially nursing would have been easier if they had not given her the water.

The nurses continued to measure my blood sugar the day after I gave birth. I ate the breakfast and juice they gave me right after delivery. Then they came to measure my blood sugar and of course it was high after drinking juice. I thought that since I gave birth my diabetes would go away and I my blood sugar was not going to have to be measured anymore. I was sad that I had to continue the diet. Two days after my delivery the nurses finally talked with my Specialist doctor and they didn’t have to test me anymore. Bring on the Sonic drink!

I made it through Gestational Diabetes! It was hard work, but completely worth it. I kept up with my meal plan, blood sugar tests, exercise and I had no complications. I only gained twenty-four pounds on the diabetic diet and I was able to lose them four months after giving birth. Through this experience I learned to eat healthy and watch my portion sizes. Gestational Diabetes was horrible to manage in the beginning, but every day the diet and testing became easier. I know I may have to be tested earlier in my next pregnancy and I this means I would have to follow the guidelines for a longer period of time, but I am not afraid. I know that Gestational Diabetes can be managed!

You may also be interested in reading:

Interesting article by Birth Specialist, Henci Goer

Super informative article from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)

A fifty-page in depth guide called “Managing Gestational Diabetes” from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

American Diabetes Association article on Gestational Diabetes

WebMD on Gestational Diabetes

Small informative book called Gestational Diabetes What to Expect: Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and a Happy, Healthy Baby by the American Diabetes Association. (I found this book at my local library.)

Managing Your Gestational Diabetes: A Guide for You and Your Baby’s Good Health by Lois Jovanovic-Peterson