Borderline Gestational Diabetes

I found out this afternoon that the blood tests I had yesterday revealed that I have a borderline case of gestational diabetes - meaning that my blood sugar is on the low side of the range that indicates diabetes. Apparently this is more common in twin pregnancies - and even more common in twin pregnancies with bed rest.

In my case, the gestational diabetes is being caused by an increase in placental hormones that block my insulin from being effective. Two placentas equal more than twice the amount of placental hormones that block my insulin. This means that my body needs to produce a lot more insulin to effectively process any sugar in my blood and my body just isn't keeping up. As a result, the babies are getting more sugar than they normally would and this causes their little systems to produce more insulin as well. If the babies continue to overproduce insulin after they are born, then they may have low blood sugar at birth or other issues. We need to regulate my system to help the babies regulate their systems.

At this point my gestational diabetes is a borderline case and is relatively minor and should be manageable through changes in my diet at this point. My OB has set up appointments for me with the folks at the diabetes clinic at Brigham on Tuesday - an endocrinologist, nurse trainer, and nutritionist. During the appointment, we'll set up a formal treatment plan to nip this in the bud. Until then I'm reading a lot and am trying not to worry too much.

This isn't exactly the pregnancy road I'd hoped to be on - but then again who knows what each of us will find along the way? It could be absolutely fine. It's not always easy to stay positive and I have to admit that I allowed myself the luxury of a good long cry today - I had really hoped that the worst was behind us and felt really deflated by the news today. It's been a wonderful (babies looking good, getting off bedrest) and frustrating (gestational diabetes) week. The emotional medical rollercoaster we're on sometimes seems like too much. The good news is that being off bedrest and a little more active will help to ease the gestational diabetes. Getting out and about will definitely make it easier to cope. All of the love and support from family and friends continues to help as well. Thanks again for being there.