Post Break: Baby Ornaments

As the due date gets nearer, I get more and more excited to shop for baby stuffs but right now we're still waiting for our baby's gender confirmation. So many cute baby ornaments both online and in retail shops. Of course I enjoy more going through the trouble walking and scouring for the goodies.

I'm enjoying partial shopping not only for baby but for mommy too =) I need some maternity clothes most especially jeans and thighs and I got few pairs already. On the side I also do shop for Christmas presents looking for some personalized Christmas ornaments. Call it retail therapy! I get to relax when I shop around whether it's just grocery or mall. That's one thing me and baby need anyway, some nice time alone seeing good things. =)

5th Doctor Visit & Bump Update

Last Thursday (nov 12) was a busy day for me. Another meeting with my doctor and thorough checking. I was kind of worried for my results because for the past week my sugar tests were higher than normal and I honestly don't know why since I've been following the recommended diet. Even if I'm trying my best to keep up with the strict diet the results won't justify my efforts. My numbers can't tell the doctor I was just this and that. Good thing those results were only during particular lunch meals and the rest are just fine. I'm trying to avoid having high results because I really don't want to take any medications to control blood sugar. No, no! I want to minimize medicine intake thinking it might harm baby in the long run.

After all the procedures like blood pressure, urinalysis and weight measurement, me and my doctor discussed things and assessed my food log and data sheet. I"m just thankful that she still said so far I'm doing good with the diet and maintaining my blood sugar. I just need to be more watchful and try to alter my meals during lunch time and probably more exercise (walk) to maintain healthy sugar level. I'll be seeing her again in 2wks time, a day before thanksgiving. I have to maintain a good record for my sake and baby.

Unfortunately I can't confirm yet this November 20 our baby's gender. The ultrasound schedule's moved to December 10. Doc said I'll just be on my 26th week and it's better to see baby on the 30th week. Me and hubs were greatly disappointed since we're very much expecting it and very eager to see baby once again. Well there's nothing more we can do but wait. So here are my baby bump photos to keep you all updated.

After my check-up I went to do some shopping. I considered the day as my day-off =) I told baby I will take him/her out for a nice shopping walk just to relax since I have been working so much lately. At this stage I read that baby can hear me everything and it's good to really talk to baby now.

GDM Prevention and Treatment

As food is digested it turns into sugar (glucose) and goes into the bloodstream. Then insulin is being released to help the body use blood sugar. So technically speaking the culprit in diabetis isn't just sugar alone but the food that we take. Therefore controlling blood sugar can help prevent problems.

Blood sugar can be lowered by eating right, exercising and worse case taking insulin. If the blood sugar is kept in control, this lessens the pregnancy risks. It is very important to follow a strict nutritional diet for expectant mothers with Gestational Diabetis to ensure both mother and baby's safety. Doctors and dietitians or nutritionists will work hand in hand to give the utmost care needed by the expectant mom with GDM.

How can you check your blood sugar regularly? Just like what I've been doing for the past month doing my own glucose monitoring. I was given a small device to check and record my blood sugar an hour after my meals. This should be done everyday or as instructed. If in any case the diet just won't work for you and blood sugar really shoots up, you might have to take insulin or some medications to lower it.

It is very important to choose the right foods, the healthier the better and cut off oily and fatty foods. Include whole grains for health and energy, protein rich foods, fruits, veggies, milk and vitamins in your diet. These are all essential for baby's growth and to sustain and nourish the body during pregnancy. No no with alcohols! This won't do any good to you and baby! Make sure you gain just the right amount of weight during pregnancy. For most women this will be around 25-35 pounds. Drastic weight gain isn't really advisable and must be checked accordingly. Exercising safely and regularly is very recommendable, nothing strenuous even just a brief 10mins walk will be good enough. Also feel baby's movement everyday. Try to be observant enough because later on baby's kicks and movements will have to be recorded. This also ensures that baby's actively moving inside.

GDM Risks to Baby and Mommy

To continue my Gestational Diabetis post here are important things we all need to know about GDM risks both to baby and mommy.

• Your baby may grow too big. Like what i said having uncontrolled high blood sugar results to baby's rapid body growth. If blood sugar stays too high then the baby might be too big for a normal vaginal delivery without injuring baby's arms and shoulders. Of course not only baby suffers injury but mommy also during delivery. The best way is to do C-section in which mommy will be incised or cut in your abdomen and uterus.

• Baby's organs may not be fully developed before birth. Some cases of having too high blood sugar, baby might have to be born earlier or too soon (Preterm Birth). Then baby's lungs may not work well (Respiratory Distress Syndrome - RDS) so as the liver causing baby to ba yellow (jaundiced) after birth.

• Baby's blood sugar may be low after birth. If blood sugar tays too high, baby makes extra insulin and even after birth. This can result to baby's low blood sugar and must be treated accordingly.

• Baby could be stillborn. This is very rare but baby could die before birth if blood sugar stays too high for too long. (please don't ask me why, I honestly don't know)

• Mommy might have high blood pressure. High blood sugar makes it more likely to have high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) and this is a serious danger to mommy's health. This could also cause baby to be delivered early.

• Mommy may have more infections. High blood sugar makes it more likely to have bladder, kidney and vaginal infections.

• Mommy may be uncomfortable or short of breath. High blood sugar can cause too much fluid around the baby (polyhydramnios) and tummy gets big and pushes on lungs. Early labor might take effect.

Everything I wrote here came from all the reading materials I've been checking from time to time. May this serve as a simple guide for everybody to be more aware of this matter. You may click on the highlighted links if you want to further read about it.

Gestational Diabetis

What is Gestational Diabetis? I'd like to share this to everybody, ladies who will in the future conceive, guys who will also become a father in time to further understand what your wife might go through and most especially to expectant moms out there.

Pregnant women sometimes develop a medical condition called Gestational Diabetis or GDM. It's a special kind of Diabetis that happens only during pregnancy (gestation). This results in high blood sugar levels which later on can cause health problems for you and your baby.

I've been reading maternity books and from there I get more informed about GDM. The reason why doctors really closely monitor this is to prevent the baby from growing too big in size. Of course if this happens C-section might have to be done due to baby's size. Tests are usually done for Blood Glucose Screening at about 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Some factors are also being considered prior to the screening like having GDM in previous pregnancy, family history of Diabetis & overweight. Having your baby died before birth, born with birth defects of unknown cause or born weighing 9 or more pounds also falls on high consideration.

GDM usually goes away after baby's born but certain measures also need to be done like eating right, maintaining helathy weight and regular exercise. About 2-6 weeks after delivery a blood test will be done to check if the blood sugar has returned to normal.

I will have a follow up post about the risks, prevention and treatment for GDM.