After waiting 2 weeks for my glucose test results, and having to harrase my Dr office to get a call back about it, my Dr tells me that I was a liiittttlleee high (doesn't give me the actual numbers) and that I will have to test myself 4 times a day.
I am due in 6 weeks with my first baby, and this testing is a little late. Also, I really can't deal with needls or pricks of any kind and never have been able to.
I understand working on my diet, and I will meet with a diatiction, but should I be forced to monitor at this point? What good would it do and how would that actually help my baby? From what I have been reading, the baby might get a little big, but as of 30 weeks, he is right at the normal size and I have only gained about 11 pounds.
I don't want to cause risk to my baby, but it just feels that the testing is something that will only cause me pain and not actually provide any gain. Are there any other testing alternatives for the next 6 weeks?
Yes! You need to test like they say. Working on your diet doesn't always cut it. With my 1st dd all I did was watch what I ate and tested regularly of course and I was able to keep them under control. With this pregnancy I've had to be put on insulin for my fasting sugars. Without testing regularly they would have not known I needed it. I have had to have my insulin upped 5 times now because the farther along you get in pregnancy, the harder it is for you body to produce enough on it's own. And yes it can harm your baby. It can cause your baby to grow VERY large, not just a little. And because the baby can get so large, it can trick your body into thinking the baby is ready to be born when it's lungs (the last crucial part) aren't developed enough to breathe on it's own. It can also cause heart problems, bleeding into the brain, intestinal problems, and vision problems for the baby. Nerve damage to the baby can happen from pressure on the baby’s shoulder during delivery.
I wouldn't worry about the pricks. They don't hurt. Just make sure your lancet is set on a low level, high enough it can break through the skin, but low enough that it doesn't hurt like hell.
PLEASE test like they ask. It's very important for you and the baby. And 30 weeks isn't really all that early to start. They typically don't even do the test til 28 weeks anyway and it can take a little while for the results to come back.
I agree with the PP. Also, you might want to ask your doctor for the actual results & the ranges they use to see how "little" high you are.
I didn't even do my 3 hour test until 30 weeks. You still have quite a while to go, so no, it's not too late. And I hate needles myself. But it's not that bad. The lancet gives a little pinch & that's about it.
Working on your diet when you don't know what your numbers are at is pointless. You can have a higher blood sugar reading and eat too many carbs making it worse not better. You need to know where you stand and yes it's for the health of your child so pricking your finger 4 times a day is WORTH it.
I've been a diabetic for 7 years that i've known about. I test 4-6 times a day, everyday, since being diagnosed, it comes with the territory.
Think of it this way, if you continue to have untreated and untested high blood sugar levels for the rest of your pregnancy:
yes you run the risk of the baby being larger (larger with body fat from the excess sugar...think feeding an infant pasta and cake everyday, not healthy),
the placenta can deteriorate sooner giving your baby insufficient nutrients and oxygen
High or low amnio fluid amounts
If your baby is used to the high blood sugar you are giving him or her you run the risk of your baby having low blood sugar after birth....meaning once your sugar filled blood is gone he or she is still producing the excess insulin to combat it and can have hypoglycemia which can cause a coma or death in an infant
The risk of jaundice is greater in babies born to mother with high blood glucose levels
Children of mother who had diabetes or GD run a higher risk of childhood obesity and developing diabetes in childhood or later in life (and may be insulin dependant...not fun to give a 4 year old injections daily, not just with testing but with insulin)
Also please keep in mind that in many cases those with GD, because of some of the above mentioned risks, are INDUCED at 38-39 weeks.....and well again in many cases this leads to c-sections.
I was induced at 39 weeks with my son, I had tight control, but it's standard for my OB and hospital for diabetics to have their babies by 39 weeks due to placenta deteriorating faster and the amnio levels, I was in labor for 15 hours before it ended in a c-section. I HAVE to have a section with this pregnancy now as well.
I test daily, and if i'm too high I exercise to get the numbers down, if i'm low, I know to eat so I don't pass out. I see my OB every two weeks already, I see an endocrinologist every two weeks, I take meds AND insulin daily, and starting next month I'll do NST's 2-3 times a week for the duration of my pregnancy!!!
Excellent control and all these appointments, testing, pills and needles are important especially during pregnancy and NOTHING is more painful than knowing you didn't do all you could do to have the healthiest baby possible!
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First time mom looking for some information
- jennifertheis
on Sep. 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM