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Expectant Prayers ®

Jennifer Jo Weiss

Gestational Diabetes

After several hours on the phone yesterday, I was able to schedule all my appointments with the dietitian and nurse at the hospital as well as order my meter with testing supplies.  I had to deal with my doctor's office, health insurance provider, medical pharmacy, the hospital, and various appointment schedulers.  In the end, I would have to say that I didn't run into too many complications.  You just have to be alert and know which hoop to jump through next!

I have to hand it to the folks who have to live with this condition every day!  I have friends and family members who deal with diabetes.   I have had friends and family members die of complications of diabetes. 
It's reported by the American Diabetes Association that 20.8 million people in the US have diabetes.  Of that number, it is estimated that 14.6 million are diagnosed, while 6.2 million are undiagnosed.  The total number of diabetics is twice the number listed by the American Cancer Society for cancer prevalence totals in the US, which included better than 10 million people (2002).    The annual economic cost for diabetes care is reportedly $132 billion dollars!  That number is staggering!

Is gestational diabetes the same as other forms of diabetes?  If you have diabetes, your body isn't able to use the sugar (glucose) in your blood as well as it should.  Consequently, the sugar levels in your blood rise.  That part is similar to other forms of diabetes.  Gestational diabetes is different due to the onset of symptoms.  It is a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby's birth.  Many times, gestational diabetes can be controlled with diet modification, exercise, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels (without the use of insulin), but sometimes the case is severe enough that it must be medically controlled.
If you develop it, however, your risk increases of contracting GD again with subsequent pregnancies as well as probability for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.  Gestational diabetes affects 3-7% of all pregnant women, so your odds are fairly low (in case you're reading this and fearing you may get it).    There are some factors that can put a woman at high risk for GD.  They include:  obesity (BMI of over 30) or having a strong family history of diabetes.  Other markers doctors look for to screen early include finding sugar in your urine, previous unexplained stillbirth, having a baby born with a birth defect, or if you have high blood pressure.

Oddly enough for me, this is my 8th pregnancy, and I've never had this condition before.  My BMI was normal, blood pressure normal, and I exercise almost every day.  The only marker that may fit me is that I have had increasing size with my babies... the last one was nearly 10 pounds!   Of course, as soon as the first screen came back high, I modified my diet immediately.   I didn't have trouble in this area, but I did want to take every precaution.  I cut out all sweets and sugar, no white bread, only complex carbs in modification and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables!  I also became diligent to drink even more water.

The two main results that can occur to the baby due to GD may include macrosomia (large baby), and hypoglycemia (low sugar) right after birth unless the mother had undiagnosed diabetes before pregnancy.  Then there is an increase for birth defects (heart, spine, etc). occurring in 5 to 10 percent of all pregnancies where the mother had a pre-existing condition that was poorly controlled.
Good prenatal care and watching your diet and exercise are good habits for all mothers to follow and GD is just one of the reasons why.

I have been reminded to increase my prayers for those who suffer with this disease...pregnant or not;  there are many out there dealing with this issue today!     My family has also helped out in the past with the March of Dimes as well as Race for the Cure (a friend of mine who cycles lost his Dad to diabetes a few years ago and we helped raise money to sponsor him).   My own situation has heightened my thoughts and feelings today toward diabetics.


 

Getting ready to ride for "Race for the Cure" at Longview Lake.

I hope we all increase our awareness today and our compassion toward those who suffer with diabetes.  Please remember to pray for the sick, no matter what they are facing, and that God's healing grace be extended to the body of Christ today.  He is still the God who heals!

****  If you have recently been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, there is a book I would like to recommend called "Gestational Diabetes: What to Expect", written by the American Diabetes Association.  You can purchase it on their website store for under $10.**********

God bless and I hope you have a wonderful day!




 

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