Shortly after delivery, your baby may also have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) because his body will still be producing extra insulin in response to receiving extra glucose from you. Your delivery team will test his blood sugar at birth by taking a drop of blood from his heel. If it's low, you'll want to feed him as soon as possible, either by breastfeeding or giving him some formula or sugar water. (In severe cases of hypoglycemia, he might be given an IV glucose solution.)He may also be at somewhat higher risk for jaundice, polycythemia (an increase in the number of red cells in the blood), and hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood). If your blood sugar control is especially poor, your baby's heart function could be affected. Some studies have found a link between severe gestational diabetes and an increased risk for stillbirth in the last two months of pregnancy. And finally, having gestational diabetes makes you about twice as likely to develop preeclampsia (high blood pressure) as other pregnant women. Reasons you may have diabetes:
- You're obese (your body mass index is over 30).
- You have a history of gestational diabetes (you've had the condition in a previous pregnancy).
- Someone in your family has diabetes.
Does having gestational diabetes put me at higher risk for diabetes in the future?
Yes. About two-thirds of women who have the condition will go on to have it in future pregnancies. And a few studies have found that about 50 percent of women who get gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within the first five years after delivery or later in life. Your child will also have a higher likelihood of childhood and adult obesity, and of developing diabetes. It's important to help him eat a good diet, maintain a normal weight, and stay physically active. Be sure your child's healthcare practitioner knows that you had diabetes during pregnancy.So, needless to say I'm pretty darn bummed but there's nothing I can do about it and it's in the Lord's hands (thanks mom and dad!). I just really hope that I can control this with diet and that I won't need pills or shots. Keep me and our little man in your prayers :)









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