I did not have any risk factors for gestational diabetes, except that diabetes (adult-onset) runs in my family, both sides. I was horrified, mad, angry and scared when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I hesitated to write about it under the "Diabetes" category, because my diabetes had a definite end-date, but I at least can talk about the "tip of the diabetes iceberg" that I experienced. And, as a result of my gestational diabetes, I am now at higher risk of developing adult-onset diabetes, along with being labeled a "high risk pregnancy" (if/when we choose to have another child). So, I was not a happy pregnant woman. Everything hurt, and I was surprised that it was not just the typical back pain and swelling belly. I just did not realize that pregnancy effects your ENTIRE body...circulatory system (almost doubling your blood-volume), hormonal and endocrine systems, even your BONES change--women's spines actually lengthen and pelvis grows...ouch! Your vision worsens, too..I could go on and on. Pregnancy was not just about swollen ankles for me. When I went in for my regular checkup, doing the regular blood tests that are ordered and was Dx with gestational diabetes, I had to learn quick what that meant, how to control it, how to emotionally deal with it...I didn't have much time to let it sink in, since it was also effecting my baby (whom I lovingly referred to as a parasite at the time...I told you I didn't love being pregnant!). I learned to hate the number 30. And 15. They were everywhere. You can only have 30 grams of carbs at lunch. 15 grams for snack. But you can have 45 grams for dinner! woohoo! That equates to two stinkin' slices of bread and a tiny apple. What made me angry was that eating "healthy" was not even an option, as fruit---healthy, right?!--has lots of carbs. And, when you're pregnant, isn't that when you can eat whatever you want, for one time in your life?! Plus, you hear about "good carbs" and "bad carbs", and I live under the philosophy of "there are no "bad" foods", and our bodies *need* carbs for fuel...so where did that leave me as far as my choices? I became anxious about not wanting to "count carbs" for fear that I would develop an eating disorder. Well, I can go on and on...but in the end, I was able to deal with learning about carbs, the finger-pricking five times a day, knowing that it would soon end. Now, I feel better educated as to how to eat in a healthy manner for my blood-sugar levels, and that I have the tools to help prevent adult-onset diabetes. There seems to be a lot of resentment with the diagnosis of this disease, as a few of my friends have diabetes, as well as my close relatives, who have been living with this disease for decades. Have you found this resentment to hold true in yourself or loved ones? How have you managed to control the emotions surrounding diabetes?

Wow! I had no idea that you had to test yourself many times everyday when you are pregnant and have g.d. I never had it, thankfully, but I do know several women who had it in pregnancy and were also horrified at losing what was once a 'normal' pregnancy as well as the knowledge that it could lead to adult diabetes- so unfair. I love my carbs, I don't know what I would have done! So what will you do now? Be tested regularly to make sure you are not developing it? Have you had to change your diet permanently?

That was the strangest thing about gestational diabetes... I was *very* concerned about my diet throughout pregnancy, to the point of worrying myself sick about hurting my baby if I ate a cookie...that the HOUR after I delivered, the hospital gave me a plate of food...with nothing but carbs! There was the largest piece of pie I had ever seen...and this was for lunch! ha ha! I asked a nurse if I could eat it, if my g.d. was gone, and she casually said, "yeah". I'm surprised that they weren't more concerned with my longterm diet..so my healthy eating basically came to a halt that day. oh well. I haven't had to get tested regularly, haven't been told to change my diet (I love carbs, too). I'm glad to have talked about it, b/c I need to take control of my diet on my own, and not wait for a test to tell me to do it. Thanks for listening! :-)

This is a very sad and disturbing story about Carine Desir, the passenger who died last Friday during an American Airlines flight from Haiti to New York. She was complaining of not being able to breathe and her family blames flight attendants for not taking proper care of her. As it turns out, the medical examiner pronounced her death as a result of complications from diabetes and heart disease. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23327116/?GT...

I read that story, Alysia, very sad indeed, especially as the oxygen tanks were all empty. But there were several doctors and nurses on board who cared for her. It seems she was going to die, with or without the oxygen, although obviously I don't know all the facts. From her picture, she seemed very overweight which has a huge effect on the heart and the pancreas so maybe that was why her health was so bad at such a young age. And I hope we get to the bottom of why the flight attendants originally refused to give her oxygen.