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baby monitor 5.8 image
kim
I am 27 weeks pregnant and apparently I failed the 1 hour diabetes screening, I have to take the 3 hour one next week. I am nervous, What if I fail that one too? Does that mean that I am going to have a large baby? Will I need to have a c-section?
Answer
The glucose tolerance test really isn't a "pass/fail" type of test. What it is designed to be is a diagnostic tool to see if a 3 hour fasting glucose tolerance test is warranted. Usually, the target number for the 1 hour test is under 140. So, at 147, it is not "high", but it is elevated and puts you in the position of taking the 3 hour test. It is very normal for pregnant women to have an elevated number with their 1 hour test. It does not mean anything other than you should take the 3 hour test to be screened for Gestational Diabetes. Most women with elevated numbers for the 1 hour test go on to have glucose numbers in the normal range for the 3 hour test. Only around 5-8% of pregnant women develop Gestational Diabetes. It can be worrisome whenever you have to take any type of test. I developed Gestational Diabetes with my 4th pregnancy. At first, I was quite upset, but as I became more knowledgeable about the condition, I found there were many things I could do help me and my baby stay as healthy as possible. It was challenging, but certainly manageable. It is true that some babies born to moms with Gestational Diabetes are born at higher than average birth weight. Not all are, though. My baby was born at 41 weeks and she weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces. Usually, a mom with Gestational Diabetes will be monitored closely througout her pregnancy and things like excessive rate of growth for the baby are detected early enough that a c-section isn't usually warranted. In addition to having Gestational Diabetes I was also 38 years old, so I was considered "high risk". I began weekly prenatal appointments at 32 weeks. Each appointment was a normal prenatal visit with the typical weight check, blood pressure check, urine sample, etc. In addition, I also met with the diabetic nurse who went over my glucose numbers with me as well as my meal plan, making adjustments when necessary. I was able to manage my Gestational Diabetes with a specific meal plan set up for me as well as testing my blood gluose 4 times each day. I did not need insulin, but some women do. I also had a weekly non-stress test and an ultrasound beginning at 32 weeks. Some women with Gestational Diabetes do need to be induced early due to complications. Inductions have a higher risk of leading to c-sections. However, it is not a given that a woman with Gestational Diabetes has to be induced early nor will it lead to a c-section. It is, however, a possibility. I understand the nerves you are feeling. I think if you follow your doctor's instructions and go in for the 3 hour test (usually you have to fast), that the chances of you having Gestational Diabetes are small. Even if you do have it, focus on finding out as much information as you can. I read everything my doctor gave me plus asked a lot of questions. The more I learned, the more confident I became that I could get through this and I could do things to help ensure the most positive outcome.
The glucose tolerance test really isn't a "pass/fail" type of test. What it is designed to be is a diagnostic tool to see if a 3 hour fasting glucose tolerance test is warranted. Usually, the target number for the 1 hour test is under 140. So, at 147, it is not "high", but it is elevated and puts you in the position of taking the 3 hour test. It is very normal for pregnant women to have an elevated number with their 1 hour test. It does not mean anything other than you should take the 3 hour test to be screened for Gestational Diabetes. Most women with elevated numbers for the 1 hour test go on to have glucose numbers in the normal range for the 3 hour test. Only around 5-8% of pregnant women develop Gestational Diabetes. It can be worrisome whenever you have to take any type of test. I developed Gestational Diabetes with my 4th pregnancy. At first, I was quite upset, but as I became more knowledgeable about the condition, I found there were many things I could do help me and my baby stay as healthy as possible. It was challenging, but certainly manageable. It is true that some babies born to moms with Gestational Diabetes are born at higher than average birth weight. Not all are, though. My baby was born at 41 weeks and she weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces. Usually, a mom with Gestational Diabetes will be monitored closely througout her pregnancy and things like excessive rate of growth for the baby are detected early enough that a c-section isn't usually warranted. In addition to having Gestational Diabetes I was also 38 years old, so I was considered "high risk". I began weekly prenatal appointments at 32 weeks. Each appointment was a normal prenatal visit with the typical weight check, blood pressure check, urine sample, etc. In addition, I also met with the diabetic nurse who went over my glucose numbers with me as well as my meal plan, making adjustments when necessary. I was able to manage my Gestational Diabetes with a specific meal plan set up for me as well as testing my blood gluose 4 times each day. I did not need insulin, but some women do. I also had a weekly non-stress test and an ultrasound beginning at 32 weeks. Some women with Gestational Diabetes do need to be induced early due to complications. Inductions have a higher risk of leading to c-sections. However, it is not a given that a woman with Gestational Diabetes has to be induced early nor will it lead to a c-section. It is, however, a possibility. I understand the nerves you are feeling. I think if you follow your doctor's instructions and go in for the 3 hour test (usually you have to fast), that the chances of you having Gestational Diabetes are small. Even if you do have it, focus on finding out as much information as you can. I read everything my doctor gave me plus asked a lot of questions. The more I learned, the more confident I became that I could get through this and I could do things to help ensure the most positive outcome.
What are the healthrisks associated with breastfeeding while pregnant?
Yuppy
I am 7 weeks pregnant and have a 5 1/2 month old infant that I have been exclusively breastfeeding until recently (just started solids about one month ago once a day). I am breastfeeding on demand (about 5-8 times a day). My first OB appt. was today with the nurse practitioner and she suggested that I ween my baby from the breast... I want to breastfeed him for at least one year but I need to know what reprocussions I could face if I do. She said it would be too much for my body to handle. I am waiting to hear back from the LLL on this but in the meantime, does anyone have any facts on the subject? I really do not want to ween him so maybe some suggestions would be helpful. Thank-you!!!
Also, I know that if you are high risk, it can lead to pre-term labor: that is a non-issue for me I have had a healthy full-term baby.
Answer
You've run into a common problem . . . OBs who don't know what to do with moms who breast feed. Ok, I'm a little irritable about OBs, but anyway. . . it's not their fault, since many of them (or their instructors) were taught BFing was bad, back in the day. Anyway, you're right to try to arm yourself with information.
Breastfeeding while pregnant is usually safe and if you are willing, you can breastfeed both children after the new baby comes. There are some things to pay attention to when you are BF and pregnant. Obviously, you have increased calorie needs, since you need to fuel your body, make milk for baby #1, and help baby #2 develop. Also, your calories need to be fairly nutrient rich to ensure your health (both babies will get nutrients before you, so eat well to ensure you don't get sick). A few months into pregancy, many women notice some change in milk ( in amount and/or consisitency). Some babies find that unpleasant and wean. Others don't care. Prepare to monitor your nursling to make sure he/she is having plenty of wet/dirty diapers and is gaining weight. Obviously, if your nursling is not getting enough milk, you may have to use supplemental formula. Get as much info as you can via the web and your lactation consultant, and prepare to discuss it with your doctor. Good luck!
You've run into a common problem . . . OBs who don't know what to do with moms who breast feed. Ok, I'm a little irritable about OBs, but anyway. . . it's not their fault, since many of them (or their instructors) were taught BFing was bad, back in the day. Anyway, you're right to try to arm yourself with information.
Breastfeeding while pregnant is usually safe and if you are willing, you can breastfeed both children after the new baby comes. There are some things to pay attention to when you are BF and pregnant. Obviously, you have increased calorie needs, since you need to fuel your body, make milk for baby #1, and help baby #2 develop. Also, your calories need to be fairly nutrient rich to ensure your health (both babies will get nutrients before you, so eat well to ensure you don't get sick). A few months into pregancy, many women notice some change in milk ( in amount and/or consisitency). Some babies find that unpleasant and wean. Others don't care. Prepare to monitor your nursling to make sure he/she is having plenty of wet/dirty diapers and is gaining weight. Obviously, if your nursling is not getting enough milk, you may have to use supplemental formula. Get as much info as you can via the web and your lactation consultant, and prepare to discuss it with your doctor. Good luck!
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