IS there a way to prevent GD?

I am SO afraid that I am going to end up with GD...I eat candy and ice cream (not like everyday). I don't want to have to deal with a special diet!!

Re: IS there a way to prevent GD?

I had it and personally - I think no. I wasn't in any of the high risk categories and I had it.

I mean unhealthy eating - too much sugar in your diet - can contribute to it. Being overweight before pregnancy/can contribute put you at higher risk. Gaining too much weight during you pregnancy can do it. Certain ethnic backgrounds are at high risk. Family history is higher risk. Lack of exercise can add to your risk. But in the end it is how your body decides to process the sugars you are putting into your body.

I didn't have any of those factors above. I have one family member who had diabetes but she was overweight and had it later in life and ate unhealthy. When I got it even my nutritionalist I had to meet with was surprised. Plus I was very active during my pregnancy and many people with diabetes show signs like lack of energy, sick, etc. Although - I was quesy throughout the pregnancy and that could have been a warning sign I had it (mine GD was caught a little late since my test results were lost).


I know people who were overweight and ate candy, cake and ice cream everyday during their pregnancies and they were fine!!!

Don't stress it....more people don't have it then do. Enjoy your pregnancy!

Message edited 8/18/2005 11:05:49 AM.

Re: IS there a way to prevent GD?

No.
I am overweight, have a family history of diabetes and I ate candy and ice cream and carbs and I didn't get it.
You really can't control whether you get it you can only keep it under control once you are diagnosed with it.

Re: IS there a way to prevent GD?

I do have GD, and I had a few factors, like I am overweight and my grandmother on my dad's side had type 2 diabetes. But I know there are still people who have factors and don't end up with it. My SIL's mom and dad both have diabetes, and she is overweight as well, plus gained 60 lbs during the pregnancy and ate all kinds of crazy carby sugar foods and she never developed GD. Then you hear about people who are very thin and active and don't have a HX of it in thier family and they develop it.

It is fairly common though, and if you do develop it almost everyone I've heard of, including myself, is able to control thier sugar levels with diet only, and don't end up needing insulin. If you come out pos. for it, your dr will send you to a nutritionist and they'll help you get on a good diet plan for it.

If you ever have any questions about it you can ask me, or Niecey was very helpful to me when I first found out I had it because she had it as well.

-Melissa

Re: IS there a way to prevent GD?

Re: IS there a way to prevent GD?

I failed my 1 hour GD test - Took the 3 hour, this morning. The nurse told me it wasn't hereditary? Two of my sister's had GD (my third sister didn't?) - we don't have a family history, and none of us is over weight. Like pp - I think it has to do w/the way your body processes sugar.