All About Gestational Diabetes: 

Frequently Asked Questions

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your health care provider. Please see Website Disclosure Information below.

*Important: Read 'Introduction' first, then 'GD: What is It?', and 'Basic Treatment Protocol' sections for overview*

A. NEWLY UPDATED! Introduction (READ THIS FIRST- VERY IMPORTANT!) - purpose of this FAQ, who wrote it and why, special notes and links to other gd websites

B. Basic Information About Gestational Diabetes

• GD: What Is It? - An overview of what gd is, how it happens, a summary of the main controversies, treatment approaches, basic study references to read
• GD: Who Is At Risk? - risk factors for gd, rates of occurrence
• GD: Basic Treatment Protocols - standard of care you are most likely to encounter, what you probably can expect, basic overview of most common treatment controversies
• GD: Basic Treatment Protocols References - extensive references for Treatment Protocols
• GD: Can It Be Prevented? - proactive measures to take if you don't have gd but are at-risk
• A Short History of Gestational Diabetes as a Clinical Entity - how the 'gd' concept came about

C. Testing and Gestational Diabetes

• GD: Glucose Testing Information - different types of tests, diagnostic cutoffs, testing alternatives, debate over testing issues, study references
• GD: Ketone Testing - what are ketones, their importance, how to test, troubleshooting  problems
• GD: Blood Glucose Meters and Self-Testing - hints for use/testing, taking care of your glucometer
• GD: The Numbers Game - what all the numbers mean, considering context, common misunderstandings, what is normal?

D. Treatment of Gestational Diabetes (be sure to read GD: Basic Treatment Protocols first, above)

• GD: Nutrition Questions - basic info, what are carbs/how to count them, 'eating diabetically', sample food plan, vitamins and herbs etc., artificial sweeteners, fast food choices
• GD Providers: Who To See? - OB vs. midwife vs. family doctor, other personnel if needed, the importance of doulas, where to birth, childbirth education choices
• GD: Troubleshooting High Readings - practical tips to try, common mistakes, reading errors, things that can give you an artificially high or low reading, when insulin is needed
• GD and Exercise - how exercise may lower the risks, what's appropriate, hypoglycemia concerns  
• GD: What If I Need Insulin?- when insulin is needed, prophylactic insulin debate, practical tips on insulin use, perspectives from moms who have needed insulin

E. After the GD Pregnancy

• GD: Post-Partum Care and Concerns - recovery from a c-section if you have one, emotional recovery, follow-up testing protocols
• GD: Birth Control Decisions - special considerations after gd, general info, options when nursing
• GD and Breastfeeding: A Special Relationship - special benefits for the gd mom and baby, getting a good breastfeeding start despite common gd protocols
• GD and Breastfeeding: References - extensive references for the GD and Breastfeeding FAQ
• NEW!  GD: Planning A Subsequent Pregnancy - special considerations, risks, early testing, being proactive, recurrence rates, nutrition, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, etc. 
• NEW!  GD: Risk of Future Diabetes - chances of getting full-blown diabetes in the future, the weight loss dilemma, minimizing risks, changing lifestyles, being proactive, keeping a positive attitude 

F. Further Gestational Diabetes Resources

• NEWLY UPDATED! GD Birth Stories - gd birth stories of all types: normal, inspiring, cautionary, c/s, VBAC, twins
• GD: Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations - common terms, what the abbreviations mean

Note: This section on GD is very time-consuming to research/write; many parts still under construction. New sections are being added regularly, be sure to check back periodically for new additions.

UNDER DEVELOPMENT OR COMING SOON

• GD: Possible Complications for Mother and Baby - possible risks of gd, rate of occurrence, treatments
• GD: The Controversies (Traditional and Alternative Views) - perspectives on the hottest debates
• GD: Special Issues for Larger Women - hypocaloric diets, exercise, prophylactic insulin, macrosomia
• GD: Delivery Protocols - prenatal testing protocols, delivery controversies, avoiding inductions, pros and cons of various induction techniques, hints for handling inductions if necessary, neonatal tests
• GD: The Emotional Impact - grieving the diagnosis, anxiety, handling treatment, emotional sand traps
• GD and VBACs: Can It Be Done?- yes, you can have gd and still have a VBAC! (how to maximize your chances) - COMING SOON!
• GD: Helpful Links, Resources, and Research Hints - how to do your own research, site links, search tips
• GD: Study References - list of the studies most cited in this FAQ and where to find them
• Common GD Questions - questions most often asked about gd

Website Disclosure Information: This website is written and sponsored by Kmom, a childbirth educator and freelance writer who has read extensively about obesity, pregnancy, and related topics in both the lay and medical literature, as well as in 'alternative' childbirth education sources.  This is not a commercial website; Kmom does not make any money off of this website and does not endorse any products mentioned herein.

It is important to remember that all health resources (and particularly those online) should be looked at with a discerning and critical eye.  The purpose of this website is simply to present further information for women to consider in their healthcare treatment and give resources so that women can pursue their own investigation.  This website does not offer any medical advice, and none should be inferred from it. 

This website presents both facts and opinions, although opinions do not imply medical advice.  The website tries in particular to present more than one point of view so that readers may see arguments for many sides of an issue. Kmom makes every effort to label opinions and personal experience as such, and also presents references and resource lists so that others may investigate further and make up their own minds.  Caveat Emptor.

Website revised: September-2001

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Correspondences to: Kmom@vireday.com (Kmom)