First of all, I have to say that the BEST WEBSITE I’ve ever found that covers things like GD and pregnancy in overweight moms is right here, authored by K-mom. I referenced it a lot when pregnant with Gray and I find myself telling other people about it, too, because it is so comprehensive. So if you want a more detailed discussion than what I’m about to offer you, PLEASE go and check her out.

OK, so basically, my pancreas cannot produce enough insulin during pregnancy. This leads to mood swings, highs and lows (like sugar crashes), and weight gain. For me, it also felt like my limbs were really heavy … like I was walking underwater … and I was hungry ALL THE TIME. Also? C-R-A-B-B-Y. But aren’t all pregnant women crabby? (hee)

Developing GD in pregnancy can lead to complications for the fetus. The key word is CAN, not ALWAYS WILL. That’s a big distinction, in my opinion. Babies born to moms who have GD often have low blood sugar at birth, leading them to be observed in the nursery for a time. Those born with low sugar also have to have formula right away so they can get their sugars regulated (these babies are not born diabetic; it’s just an adjustment for them to have to control their OWN blood sugar levels at first). The can develop jaundice or have low calcium levels. Some have disproportionately large shoulders which makes passing through the birth canal difficult, if not impossible. GD can also affect lung maturity, especially in boys. And finally, the placenta begins to break down more quickly in moms who have GD. So most OBs will want me to deliver as close to, but not past, 40w as possible. And, as I learned Monday morning, after 32 weeks, there is a chance of stillbirth.

GD can usually (again, usually not always) be controlled with diet and (light) exercise. This is what I managed to do with Grayson, so I have had high hopes for this baby as well. If I cannot keep my numbers around where they should be, I’ll have to start injecting myself with insulin daily in addition to the diet and exercise. Let’s just not think about that, ok? Power of positive thinking! After a few days of taking my numbers, I’ll have a good sense of what foods I can eat and what I can’t … what spikes my numbers and how to adjust my diet to get them steady.

GD almost always goes away after delivery. This happened with Grayson and I assume it’ll happen again with bob. I don’t have diabetes when I’m not pregnant. I’ll be at a higher risk for developing Type II diabetes, but I was already at risk due to family history, so really no big surprise there. Pregnancy apparently just puts such a huge strain on my system … which is interesting, because I don’t FEEL bad, not really. I’m all belly, all out in front. You see me from the back? You’d never know I was pregnant. Then I turn around and pop your eye out because my belly is ginormous.

With GD, I have to eat six times a day. This is harder than you would think. But I also have to test my blood sugar 4 times a day and this is as big of a pain as it sounds. (if you’re squeamish, skip to the next paragraph). I have a little darty needle thing and I prick my finger to get a drop of blood. I put it on a test strip and put the strip in the meter. The meter tells me what my number is. My numbers are supposed to be in a certain range, every time. (About or below 95 for fasting; about or below 120 after meals). I have to do this when I first wake up (fasting), and again after my three big meals, b’fast, lunch, and dinner. The finger prick really doesn’t hurt; the needle is so small. It’s just a tiny drop of blood and then it’s done. But by the end of 7 weeks (or longer), my fingers will be beat up and sore. There’s just no help for that. And if I go on insulin, I may have to take my numbers as much as 6 times a day. A one month prescription for the lancets and test strips cost me $50.

I have to follow a modified South Beach Diet diet, basically. I watch my carb intake and balance it with proteins and fats. Once you learn how to do this, it’s really easy. And sugar free jello is a “free food” meaning I can eat it as much as I want, since it only has 10 calories and ZERO carbs. So whenever I’m craving a sweet treat, that’s my “go to” food. For those who are curious, I have to stay around 15 carbs for snacks and breakfast, 30 for lunch, and 45 for dinner. Lunch and dinner are interchangeable.

So that’s GD in a nutshell. Questions? Comments? Problems, thoughts, concerns, clarifications? I don’t pretend I’m an expert on this, so if anything is factually incorrect, please let me know.