If, like me, you've had gestational diabetes, please read Jenny Ruhl's latest article, "Myth Busters: Gestational Diabetes Is Indeed Real Diabetes." Whether you believe the article or no, she offers a compelling argument (convinced me!) and good advice for post-pregnancy follow-up.
If I had known after my first pregnancy what I know now, I guess I would still be doomed (at least 50% chance of doom, anyhow) to develop diabetes. But I would have saved my poor pancreas years of some serious abuse.
Showing posts with label gestational diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gestational diabetes. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"Someday" is Now: Part of the Explanation
I saw a figure cited on the FAQ for alt.support.diabetes that blew me away. Was it true? I researched it and found the following quote in the document "Type 2 Diabetes Risk After Gestational Diabetes," produced by the National Diabetes Education Program:
"After pregnancy, 5 to 10 percent of women who had GDM are found to have type 2
diabetes. Women who have had GDM have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing diabetes in
the next 5 to 10 years following pregnancy.(1, 2)"
References:
1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: National diabetes statistics fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2005. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2005.
2. American Diabetes Association: Gestational diabetes mellitus (Position statement). Diabetes Care 2004; 27(Suppl. 1): S88-S90.
Whoa. Would it have made a difference in how I've lived the past four years? Hard to say, really. I think part of me wanted to deny diabetes. I got rid of all the paraphernalia once I was declared "in the clear." I should not only have gotten a post-breastfeeding food plan, but have monitored things now and then over the years.
Instead, I let myself climb up to 265 lbs. I was one of the unusual people who lost weight during pregnancy, and my post-second child weight was 210 lbs. I could kick myself for not trying harder to maintain that weight. Now I'm having to battle it down again. On the plus side, I'm down to 242 lbs (-23 lbs!). I still have a looooooong way to go, but it's a good start.
As I expected, the diabetes educator is recommending that I start a medication to help control my numbers. My post-meal numbers are within range, but my fasting are out of line. Looking at the average over the past month, my a1c numbers are going to be a lot better the next time I get that checked. Speaking of fasting, I tested my husband's fasting blood glucose this morning. 86! He's overweight, too, but does not have the family history. He's been on a low carb diet since his visit to the cardiologist a few months ago, the doctor said he's probably sensitive to carbs. We both started taking calcium supplements then, and with the extra vitamin D, I wonder if that was a catalyst in my "awakening" to the fact that I didn't want to be so friggin' huge anymore.
"After pregnancy, 5 to 10 percent of women who had GDM are found to have type 2
diabetes. Women who have had GDM have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing diabetes in
the next 5 to 10 years following pregnancy.(1, 2)"
References:
1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: National diabetes statistics fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2005. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2005.
2. American Diabetes Association: Gestational diabetes mellitus (Position statement). Diabetes Care 2004; 27(Suppl. 1): S88-S90.
Whoa. Would it have made a difference in how I've lived the past four years? Hard to say, really. I think part of me wanted to deny diabetes. I got rid of all the paraphernalia once I was declared "in the clear." I should not only have gotten a post-breastfeeding food plan, but have monitored things now and then over the years.
Instead, I let myself climb up to 265 lbs. I was one of the unusual people who lost weight during pregnancy, and my post-second child weight was 210 lbs. I could kick myself for not trying harder to maintain that weight. Now I'm having to battle it down again. On the plus side, I'm down to 242 lbs (-23 lbs!). I still have a looooooong way to go, but it's a good start.
As I expected, the diabetes educator is recommending that I start a medication to help control my numbers. My post-meal numbers are within range, but my fasting are out of line. Looking at the average over the past month, my a1c numbers are going to be a lot better the next time I get that checked. Speaking of fasting, I tested my husband's fasting blood glucose this morning. 86! He's overweight, too, but does not have the family history. He's been on a low carb diet since his visit to the cardiologist a few months ago, the doctor said he's probably sensitive to carbs. We both started taking calcium supplements then, and with the extra vitamin D, I wonder if that was a catalyst in my "awakening" to the fact that I didn't want to be so friggin' huge anymore.
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