Gestational Diabetes?

My glucose test levels were elevated at my one hour glucose test. I now have to go back and do a three hour test. I am concerned about this because there is family history of gestational diabetes and also the fact that I have several other complications during the pregnancy. I am a small woman, only 5 feet tall and am concerned about the possibility of a c-section due to my size coupled with gestational diabetes. Anyone else have this problem? Also, I am concerned about my doctor possibly taking me out of work. She has mentioned it in recent weeks due to other minor complications and I am worried that this will prompt her to pull me from work 8 weeks before my due date. One one hand it would be a relief to be out of work and focus on the rest of the pregnancy but on the other hand my husband and I rely on my paycheck to pay the bills. Should I be worried about being pulled from work as well, or is this just “no big deal”? PLEASE HELP!

It is more common than you might think that women do not “pass” their one hour glucose tolerance test yet go on to have normal results with their 3 hour fasting test. I had Gestational Diabetes with my 4th pregnancy. I am a little bit taller than you at 5 feet 2 inches, but I don’t remember my height being a factor in any decisions. My grandmother was only 4 feet 11 inches and had 6 kids, all born at home, so I don’t think height in and of itself is a major concern. Gestational Diabetes can be controlled with diet and blood testing for most women, but some do require insulin. Larger than average birth weight babies are one possible risk to women with Gestational Diabetes, but it does not always happen. My baby was born at 41 weeks and weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces, actually the smallest of my 4 babies and I did not have GD with the first 3. I actually felt the best with my GD pregnancy, I think because I ate very healthy and kept up exercise. My weight gain was minimal and I had seemed to have a good amount of energy. I think that if you are diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and follow your meal plan and test your blood when you are told to that the chances of you having to be pulled from your job for just Gestational Diabetes reasons is slim. Now, GD compounded by other complications may be enough for your doctor to suggest leave from your job early. There really are many things out of your control for you and worrying too much about all the possible things that may happen really isn’t good for you or your baby. I might suggest that you focus on the things you do have control over and wait to see how your 3 hour fasting test results come in since it is possible they will be fine. Be sure to fast the appropriate amount of time before going in for the 3 hour test as eating or drinking prior to the test can cause inaccurate results. Gestational Diabetes does have some significant risks involved and should be thought about seriously, it is a condition that can often be controlled and will typically go away as soon as the baby, most specifically the placenta, is born. Hormones produced by the placenta cause insulin to be less effective during pregnancy and sometimes this causes Gestational Diabetes.

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