Stressed, Help

[ewable]

I am really stressed out with my situation and I need some one to tell me what I think I already know. I had my first child two years ago and had gestational diabetes from the 4th month on, I tried exercise and diet but it didn't work so I was put on insulin injections which was amazing my blood sugars were perfect the rest of my pregnancy and I deivered a healthy baby boy. I am currently prego with baby number 2 and we have moved so I have a new DR. who in my opinion is not listening to what I am saying but I live in a remote area with not a lot of options. I am about 5 weeks prego and I have already experienced high blood sugars. I have been documenting them and contacted her several times with concerns but she claims my A13 (hope that is right name) is just perfect and that I need to recalibrate my machine. I have done that and my husband is a medic for the fire department where we live so I went and used there machine as well, it seems to be working just fine. Any way my QUESTION is are my blood sugars of 200++ going to have a seriouse effect on my baby this early and is less nutrition better than high blood sugar? I have stopped eating anything with carbs and in some cases anything at all if it gets to high becasue I am afraid the high blood sugars are doing damage. I am drinking my milk for breakfast and taking a prenatal vitamin but the rest of the day I might have a half of tortilla and beans and an apple for snack. I am exercising but my sugars are still high 100 low 200.Besides getting a new dr does any one have any words of advice for me. Please help I am really stressed.

[mortis505]

Is this a regular GP, an Endo or an OB/GYN??? In my opinion, you should seek out an OB that specializes in high risk pregnancies. You know that you are susceptible to GD and you are fully aware of the probable issues. At the very least, inform your current Doc that you can and will seek out a new Dr if she refuses to listen. It may help to request a blood draw right there in her office for both and A1C and a GlucoseNow test.

[cheryl]

That a1c test remind the dumb dumb doctor is an average of the last three months blood sugars if you are only 5 weeks, then obviously it is not going to show this higher blood sugar range, also tell this poor excuse for a person with a medical licsense that you will report her, to the medical boards if she does not get to in to see a high risk specialist ASAP,.....

ughh doctors, they really think they know it all sigh...

Cheryl

[davef]

I have stopped eating anything with carbs and in some cases anything at all if it gets to high becasue I am afraid the high blood sugars are doing damage. I am drinking my milk for breakfast and taking a prenatal vitamin but the rest of the day I might have a half of tortilla and beans and an apple for snack. I am exercising but my sugars are still high 100 low 200.Besides getting a new dr does any one have any words of advice for me. Please help I am really stressed.

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy, here's to a happy, healthy pregnancy followed by a happy healthy mother and baby!

Ok, so I'm a man and only diagnosed 8 months so I'm no expert on Diabetes and have no experience with GD. With my lack of credentials established, here are my thoughts

1. As has been said the A1c (A13) is a test that shows how your blood sugar level was and not how it is now. Your doctor should be aware of this, remind him/her, so saying your A1c is fine is not taking into consideration your recent numbers. Do as suggested, get blood drawn in the Doc's office and get both an A1c and Glucose Now test.

2. I don't think cutting out carbs completely is a good way to go nor is easy to do. For example, your milk for breakfast has carbs, I use milk to raise numbers if I go low. The tortilla wrap will have carbs. That said, your body does need some carbs. As you have access to a meter I would suggest that you test often and learn from the meter what carbs/foods are best for you. If you can stomach it (not sure if you suffer morning sickness) having bacon and eggs for breakfast might work better for you. Eat veg with fiber will help you deal with carbs better and veg rich in fiber and folic acid will have double benefits

3. Do what you are doing, test and log your results, go back to see the doctor with this information, bring your husband with you as both moral support and in is official role as a medic

4. As mortis suggested try find another Doctor (OB) who is equipped to help you manage your GD so that you have a healthy pregnancy

I think it is great that you are proactive in addressing this head on and have sought help and information. Well done you.

You Doctor needs to know that he/she works for you and is part of your team, if they are a team player, bring on a substitute.

Please do let us know how you get on, I'm sure more knowledgeable people will chime in with advice for you.

[seems]

HI
I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant too. Don't get stressed it will have bad effect on you and the one inside you.
Keep calm keep doing what you are doing exercising, dieting and also go for walks it will help you a lot. Good Luck

[7 Good Reasons]

Hi! Congrats on your pregnancy! I too was diabetic for all five of my babies. All five of mine were born healthy and at normal weights (7lbs -8lbs). I say that to encourage you that you can manage this and have a healthy baby. Good for you that you are being proactive and checking your blood sugars instead of waiting for them to run the normal tests later in pregnancy.

Here's my advise:
1. You have to eat normal amounts of food - you can't starve anytime but especially while you are pregnant. You will feel tired and weak and that's not good for the baby either. I very much understand your temptation to skip meals if your sugar is high - I felt the same way. You may need to eat smaller portions of food more frequently - especially if you are sick at all. What helped me was to try and eat an equal grams of protein to carbohydrates. I would often eat a Carb Control yogurt for breakfast. There's your calcium without overdoing it on carbs. Nuts are good, cheese, I was even able to tolerate 1/2 of a whole wheat mini bagel with slight spread of natural PB for breakfast while pregnant. I did find breakfast the hardest, as meat and eggs didn't appeal to me in the morning. Get in a rut if you have to - it's temporary. And what a reward at the end! :)
2. Definitely you need an early GTT!!! Like now. Request it from your doctor based on your past pregnancy and your current readings. I know you want advice other than changing doctors, but if your current dr. won't do it - find one who will - it's your health and the health of your baby that matters here. And much better to switch earlier in the pregnancy than later.
3. Exercise is super! I found walking while pregnant pretty easy and it helps a lot of pregnancy woes. It will help keep blood sugar stable as well.
4. Don't resist insulin if you need it. I reached a point where no matter how little or low carb I ate, ( I was even losing weight at each appt.) it wasn't enough. I needed a little insulin. I cried at first, got over it and did what my baby needed. There is no shame in doing whatever needs to be done for you and your baby. Because, yes, I hate to say it but you have a long way to go in this pregnancy seeing numbers of 200.

Hope this helps and that you'll be on your way to good health care!

[foxl]

I hope you can find another MD because this one does not sound like a good listener AT ALL.

Good luck, sounds like you know what you are doing!

[mazea]

I don't mean to alarm you but please ditch the dodgy doctor seek out a proper endocrinologist straight away. I wouldn't bother going back to your doctor as he obviously has no idea what he is doing and should be reported to the board. An average blood glucose of 11 mmol(200) is putting your baby at a high risk of having heart disorders and malformations. It is recommended that pregnant women stay under 7mmol (126)at 2 hours after a meal and wake up with a fasting blood glucose of under 5mmol.(under 90) The heart is formed in the first 12 weeks which is the most important time to control blood sugar levels.
I know a lady who had a HBAC1 of 9 and her doctor told her her baby had a risk of having heart problems due to the high blood sugar levels she experienced. However she has a healthy baby so far with no signs of heart problems. Yay.
GD doesn't effect women until after the 20? week I've heard as GD is something to do with the pregnancy hormones from the developed placenta, which don't start until after week 20?. Before this high blood glucose levels in pregnant women is type 2/type1. It sounds like your doctor isn't good So please don't think that you don't have a choice about your doctor. Well done for seeing something isn't quite right with your doc and try your best to find another one that can treat you for type 2/ with insulin straight away.

You are also doing really well with trying to do everything in your power to help bub, so pat yourself on the back. Please don't not eat any carbs. You need to have carbs- can't cut them out, but need some insulin I think.