Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Treatment for Gestational Diabetes | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I had gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy, and am pregnant again (just 4 weeks). I've checked my sugar levels and they're up. I had a 2100-calorie diet and insulin injections during my last pregnancy. Should I stick to the same caloric intake? Will I have to go back on insulin? I've lost all the baby weight plus an additional 15 pounds and still need to lose an additional 15 pounds to be in my weight range according to my height. Thanks for taking the time to answer.— Robin J | | | ANSWER |
October 11, 2001 | | | Dear Robin,
About two thirds of mothers with gestational diabetes have it again in a subsequent pregnancy. Unfortunately, the fact that your sugars are elevated this early almost certainly means you will have to deal with diabetes again this time around.
Also, as many as 50 percent of women with gestational diabetes develop "real diabetes" later in life. If your sugars are already elevated this early in pregnancy, you may well have diabetes, and not just the gestational kind. This is not a situation to manage on your own. Blood sugar control in early pregnancy is extremely important for the sake of the developing fetus as well as for your own health. You almost certainly will need insulin to do this job properly. Call your obstetrical practitioner today, and make arrangements to get close supervision to keep your blood sugars in the normal range. It may be a burden that affects your lifestyle, but it is crucial that you do the right thing for yourself and your baby-to-be starting as early as possible this pregnancy. Take care!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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