A few years ago, I thought I was under risk of diabetes (my father had diabetes, I was thirsty all the time, etc.). I have gone through some tests. Results were not over but closer to the upper limits, so my doctor advised me for yearly check-ups (but i didn't).

When I was about 24 weeks of pregnant, my doctor explained gestational diabetes and asked for a blood sugar test for diagnosis. In so many possible side-effects of mysterious pregnancy, I was certain that i would have this one and yes, I had.

Summary of information i gained:
A kind of diabetes called gestational diabetes develop in some women during their 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. It's like having type II diabetes for a limited period, and seen mostly in women who are under risk of diabetes (like having a close parent with diabetes) and who increased too many weights during pregnancy. It usually goes away following delivery, however it should be taken as a warning for developing diabetes later in life.

If it is not under control, it has some important risks for the baby. Sugar is supplied from mother's blood, but insulin does not pass from placenta, it is produced in baby's-own body. Insulin is the hormone produced by pancreas as you eat sugar, and moves sugar from blood to cells. If mother has high blood sugar, baby will be supplied with extra sugar, and eventually will produce extra insulin. With the help of this extra insulin, more energy than needed will be stored in baby's cells. This may result in a fat baby, which may cause difficulties during delivery for both mother and baby. Moreover, it is increasing the risks of obesity for baby during her childhood. Another important risk for the baby is hyperglycemia in newborn period. Baby may continue producing high levels of insulin, but will not be supported with that much sugar from breast milk. This may lead low blood sugar levels in baby as a newborn, which may have hazardous affects like brain defects.

Seems pretty bad, isn't it? As i mentioned, it is not good if it is not controlled. It was taken under control for me with the help of my doctors, and i ended up with a perfectly healthy boy, weighting 3095 grams. And if you follow medical advices carefully, it even has some advantages for you and baby which i will explain in the following post.

How was it diagnosed?
My doctor asked for a blood sugar test during my routine check-up at 24th weeks of pregnancy (it can be done between 24th to 28th weeks). My blood sugar was measured before and 1 hour after drinking a solution, which includes 50 grams of glucose. Although the result was positive, my doctor told me that it does not necessarily mean that i had gestational diabetes. He asked 100 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) correspondingly. Unfortunately, result of this test was also positive, and my diagnosis was complete.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
I went to the laboratory with empty stomach. I gave blood and urine samples. I drank 100 gram glucose including lemonade(extremely sweet). And they took blood and urine samples from me three more times in the following three hours. You are not allowed to eat anything during this period. You are not allowed to leave the laboratory, not that i felt like walking around. Staying with empty stomach for 3 more hours after drinking such a sweet thing made me feel dizzy and tired. I just sit on the coach and looked at pictures of magazines. I wanted to have a nap but they didn't allow me to sleep either. If you are going to have an OGTT, do not go to the lab alone (at least do not leave alone), pick a laboratory with a comfortable coach and nice staff. It would be wise to take something to eat (not sweet, for sure) as soon as you gave your last sample. Since it takes many hours and a strict follow-up (they have to keep a hungry prego awake :)) you need to have an appointment in some labs to have an OGTT (ex.. American Hospital's lab in Istanbul, Nisantasi).

My gynecologist referred me to the dietitian for an appropriate diet. If the diet wouldn't be enough for controlling my blood sugar levels, i would need to use insulin injections... to be continued 

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