Diabetic and Pregnant in Peoria. 1St Pregnancy with the Disease.

During my 4th pregnancy I went thru gestational diabetes, so I experienced the symptoms of a diabetic patient. My ob/gyn referred me to a high risk pregnancy group in our hospital. Under this special group, I had prenatal appointments with other woman just like me (some in more high risk conditions) that would have a specially made breakfast for diabetic women and nurses would provide information on our conditions, what to expect, what to do, what not to do and how to prepare. This was all general medical advice. Then we would proceed to our regular prenatal appointments. I was actually more healthy than the other women I was grouped with, which was shocking to me. I made sure that I would visit WebMD.com to research all that I could on my condition. Once I researched all I could it made the new routine of watching my diet more important and more urgent to follow. I suggest you do the same. I witnessed many pregnant women in a high risk state breaking all the rules and maybe they wouldn't suffer, but I knew they were only making it harder for the babies. Just don't stress yourself out or focus too much on stories of other mothers with diabetes, everyone has a different body. Do some medical research and you'll strenghen yourself with knowledge. I must admit, after going thru this, I never thought about food the same way again and my families' shopping habits completely changed for the better. It really is life changing if you accept all of it.
good luck

Hi J.,

I also had gestational diabetes with both of my daughters. With my 2nd one I managed my levels much better than my first one and only had to go on meds for the last month to help keep them low. I did not see a specialist and didn't need to due to (I think) keeping my levels under control. I do know that you will probably have several ultra sounds to check on the baby's weight and measurements. Due to the increased amount of sugar they receive they can grow bigger faster than normal pregnancies. I don't think there are any huge risks with it as long as you keep your levels under control. My second daughter was induced two weeks early due to high blood pressure related to the diabetes and because she was 7lbs. So my suggestions would be to check your levels often. The only side effect I know after delivery is it can take you alittle longer to heal if you do have diabetes. Cngrats on the baby and I'm sure everything will be fine. :)
K.

Hi J.,

A Perinatologist is a High Risk OB Specialist. It would be
possible to coordinate the pregnancy care w/your current OB
and a Specialist. I am a nurse and have worked in both a private practice (OB/GYN) and a clinical setting with Perinatologists. To answer your question, I would have a specialist manage the pregnancy if it were me. Good Luck to you...

J.

I have type 2 diabetes, which is usually diet-controlled. However, once I got pregnant I had to use insulin to keep control of my blood sugar. I went to a ob-gyn who treated both 'typical' and 'high-risk' patients. Because of my diabetes and my age at the time, 37, I had quite a few ultrasounds (about once a month from the 3rd mo. to the end), they took measurements each time to get an estimate of her weight. At 35 weeks, they calculated she weighed 7 lbs. at that point, so she'd probably weigh over 10 lbs by 40 wks. Therefore the ob. scheduled delivery for 39 wks.(she said the insulin acts like a growth hormone on the baby) I also saw the endocrinologist at least monthly. I had non-stress tests each week for the last month. I was generally healthy otherwise - my allergies and asthma even seemed to get better while pregnant. My water broke at 37 wks. During delivery I had IVs for glucose (to keep my blood sugar from dropping too low) and antibiotics (since my water had broken). My daughter ended up only weighing 7lbs. 10oz., which was a great relief to me! I chose to breastfeed, but she was having trouble latching on and suckling efficiently since she'd fall asleep during nursing. Since she wasn't getting enough in she became hypoglycemic, so they had to give her some formula in between nursing. Since then she hasn't had any problems with her blood sugars.
Ask your ob/gyn if she has experience with diabetic moms - you may not need to change to a high-risk doc. if she already has the experience.

M.

My sister has had type 1 diabetes since she was 12. She is on the pump now. they started her on it when she was pregnant with her first. keeping your blood sugar under control is very important while you are pregnant, but don't get too worried if they are all over the place. that's normal. stress and hormones have a lot to do with your levels and when you are pregnant your body is under a lot of stress and your hormones are all over the place! lol the ob/gyn will give you lots of advice about your blood sugar, but take it all with a grain of salt. with your blood sugars, listen to the diabetes specialist. if they say you are doing fine, you are doing fine. getting overly worred about them will just make you more stressed and give you even less control.

I see no need in seeing a high risk Dr UNLESS the diabetes specialist feels you need to see one. gestational diabetes and type one diabetes are very different (as are type one and type two diabetes). some of the risks are the same, but the care is very different! :)

You will probably have a c section as there may be complications and the baby's of diabetics are usually HUGE! (both of my sisters were over 10 lbs and her second one was into size 3-6 months by the time he left the hospital!)

Once the baby is born, they will probably have to stay in the hospital for AT LEAST a week. This is because the baby's body has been trying to stabilize your blood sugars and so it's blood sugars will probably be REALLY high at first! this is completely normal, so don't worry!

If you are planning on brest feeding, make sure you make it clear to the nurses in the nursery that you will be leaving pumped milk for the baby and that they are only to feed it that unless the dr says other wise. My sister had some issues with this with her first, but made it clear with second and didn't have any problems with them using formula because it was easier.

Other then probably needing to pump for those first few days, everything else about the feeding is normal.

if you would like to talk to my sister personally, send me a private message and I will be happy to pass on her email address! :)

good luck! :)

Hi J., I had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. I was with "high risk" specialists for both (because of the diabetes & age). I would recommend seeing one throughout your pregnancy just to keep a close eye on you and your baby. As I'm sure you've read, if it is not managed the baby can get really large and have serious complications. If it is not closely monitored, your labor & delivery may not be what you want it to be. During your labor & delivery, your levels will be closely monitored and your baby's levels will be monitored as well once the baby is born. I would ask your current ob/gyn for their recommendation. Good luck! :)