Gestational Diabetes

[rgphib]

So figures I would have to get this too!

I had such an easy pregnancy until 20 weeks. At our 20week u/s they found bilateral choroid plexus cysts on baby boys brain. My AFP results were great (no risk for downs or Trisomy 18). They sent me to Boston for a Level II u/s to make sure everything else was okay (everything else looked good in the first u/s). CPC's are a slight marker for Trisomy 18 (bad chromosonal disorder where the baby usually dies before it is born or shortly after). We had no other indications in the 1st u/s. The Level II showed the same thing. They look for other signs of T18- clenched fists (he showed us his hands open right in front of his face); clubbed feet (nope); heart problems (heart looked great); measuring small (he was measuring a few days ahead); strawberry shaped head (normal); large neck skin fold (fine). So they confirmed he is perfect. The CPC's dissappear by the beginning of 3rd trimester. 1-2% of normal fetuses are now shown to have these in u/s.

I am O-, DH is A+ so I am RH Negative. I had to get a shot this week so my body doesn't attack baby. 15% of people are RH negative.

And today I failed my glucose test. I failed the one hour test last week (barely) so I had to go for the 3hr test. My fasting was too high- 98, they want it 95 or below- so they said I failed and sent me home. Figures.....<8% get gestational diabetes. The only risk factor I had is my age, I am over 25 (29). No family history, I was not overweight before pregnancy (I was 110).....

Why do I have to be the small percentage of EVERYTHING! It took us 10months to conceive...had to get help from fertility drugs since the BCP messed up my body.

Okay....I think I am done complaining

Anyway.....has anyone else had an experience with gestational diabetes?

[Imachickadee75]

Nope no personal experience, but I would think that with that low of a number you'll get to manage it with diet and not meds -although you'll probably still have to monitor with finger sticks. Did you talk to your doc about doing the test again? I know my friend was told to fast after midnight, which she did but ate a huge stack of pancakes at 11:30. That blew her test out of wack, she did it again and it came out fine. Just a thought
Jackie

[Kelly]

I had gestational diabetes with my second pregnancy, 11 yrs ago. My numbers were right around yours, but for some reason were not controlled with diet. I was put on insulin, not that big of a deal. I ended up having to be induced around 34-36 weeks because there was very little amniotic fluid. I know you have to be careful of big babies, my daughter was almost 7 pounds 6 weeks early, I can't imagine how big she would have been if I had carried her to term.

Just a quick note... the reason they did my last US where they found the low fluid... they baby was still moving, but I felt something was "different", I couldn't explain it, and felt kind of silly telling my Dr, but I'm glad I did.

I don't remember a whole lot from the pregancy, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Best wishes to you, I know it sometimes feels overwhelming, but its all worth it!!

[jr_lenz]

poor thing, all the testing gets old doesn't it. you are half way done, keep your chin up. I too get poked for blood draws every week and I swear I have tests done every two weeks. This is starting to feel like the longest pg ever!

[ace12]

Robyn-

What an ordeal! It's great to hear that they figured this all out. What about the cysts on the brain; that sounds a little bit scary. Are you feeling o.k.? I'll keep you in my thoughts and send lots of good vibes your way!

At least you're over half-way! Hang in there- take good care of yourself.

On a different note, how did your BCP screw up your fertility? Did you have issues with your period before you were on BCP? What pill were you on?

[rgphib]

Originally Posted by ace12

On a different note, how did your BCP screw up your fertility? Did you have issues with your period before you were on BCP? What pill were you on?

The cysts alone are normal. They are catching them more and more on u/s since the technology is getting better and better. They are actually a normal part of development. All they are is actually spinal fluid that got bubbled off (like if you blow a bubble). We just happened to have the u/s at the time they were still there. They just disinegrate on their own. It is when they are found with other things in the u/s that they worry about the other disorder. They have nothing actually to do with the brain if that makes sense, it is just where they are located. It doesn't affect actual brain development or anything like that. Just more scary until you understand what they actually are.

As for the BCP. I love being on the pill. I was on it for over 12 years when we decided to try for a baby. Apparently my body had other ideas about getting off of it. Some people's bodies resume normal periods/ovulation right away. Some a few months. Mine....umm....my body did not want to ovulate. I was having 33, 34 day cycles and then all of a sudden 48, 50, 70. I was also doing ovulation tests (sticks and fertility monitor) and it showed I was not ovulating. Finally my doctor did testing and nothing else was wrong, just my blood work showed I was not ovulating (this was after almost 8 months). So off to a fertility specialist. We did one round of just Clomid and it kicked started my body and that was all I needed (a little over 10 months since we had started trying) .

I never had problems before the pill with my period. Always 28-30 days. Never had heavy periods or bad cramping. It was just one of those things. Maybe because I am so little (I am about 5 ft, and was between 100-110 lbs most of the 12 years) my body just had a hard time readjusting....maybe it was just one of those things. It just means we will have to think about if I want to do hormones after baby boy is born since we are planning on having another shortly after (within a year or two). I was Loestrin 1/20 (low dose). I really liked it, but I didn't like what happened to my body after coming off of it. This doesn't happen to everyone.....some people adjust quickly. I just happen to be part of the other percentage!

As for having GD, I am feeling better about it. It isn't a big deal to monitor my diet (I am assuming that is what I will be doing, they haven't called yet). I am more upset about not being able to pig out on Thanksgiving, my bday and xmas. Although I did see one of my doctors in the elevator when I went up to get my shot and he said not to worry about the holidays....they make exceptions for a few days

[spotty4]

Originally Posted by ace12

On a different note, how did your BCP screw up your fertility? Did you have issues with your period before you were on BCP? What pill were you on?

Seriously! This is good information to know for those of us still on BCP and wanting to start a family.

What an ordeal, Robyn. Best of luck to you that everything works out well for you and baby boy in the end.

[devin]

Still, it's not something I should worry about for a few years at least, as far as SO is concerned

The ordeal you've gone through sounds like a huge pain -- you deserve to pig out on your bday and holidays! I hope it all turns out fine in the end!

[scissorhands]

Yes I was diabetic as well. Could not be controled with diet...NO biggy Insuline 2 times a day, baby was supposed to be big. I was induced 2 weeks early and she was 7/11. I was a c-cect however I was 35 and my first pregnancy. You will get through it and be fine it is all a faint memory. The diabetic nutritional counciling is FANTSTIC make sure you take it , if you take the class now you will get the BEST tips for eating for your life time. It was the best diet I ever went on and am still on. Keeps me in check with sugar all the time.