The wait is over for actor David Boreanaz as his wife Jamie Bergman has given birth to their second child. A healthy baby girl was born on Monday. Her name is Bardot Vita Boreanaz. Their first child, seven-year old son Jaden Rayne now has a little sister that he can help take care of and protect. Little Bardot Vita entered the world at a healthy 7 lbs. 14 oz.

Lat month in an interview with People.com, Boreanaz spoke about his concerns about being away from his pregnant wife. He was quoted as saying, “I must maintain a 20-mile radius. I cannot travel beyond that. If I do, I’ll freak out – I have to be there when the baby comes.” His wife Jamie Bergman in speaking to People recently said, “We’ve been trying to have another baby for a couple of years now so we are beyond excited. We’re over the moon.”
Boreanaz decision to maintain close proximity had to do with more than just a devoted dad being there for the birth. It was revealed in the news that Bergman had been placed on bed rest in the weeks leading to the birth.

Bed rest during pregnancy is not uncommon. It is usually recommended by doctors to ease the effects of pregnancy complications. In some cases the woman’s doctor may recommend it early on because of her medical history. It is important that pregnant women placed on bed rest not be worried as this will place undue stress on her and the baby.

Reasons for Bedrest

•    Premature labor
•    Carrying multiples
•    High blood pressure
•    Gestational diabetes
•    History of premature or stillbirth

Thankfully, the outcome was a happy one for Bergman, and no complications were reported during delivery. Boreanaz can be expected to report to the set of his hit TV series Bones a little worse for wear, but I am certain he wouldn’t have it any other way.

So will his Bones co-star Emily Deschanel start to feel a tugging at her maternal heart strings and want to have her own bundle of joy soon? I guess we will know soon enough, as many celebrities are not shy about revealing their family plans.

Congratulations to David Boreanaz and his wife Jamie Bergman on the latest addition to their family.

I can not believe that I am already 28 weeks pregnant! It won’t be too much longer until our little one arrives.

For today’s visit, I had to have testing to see if I have gestational diabetes.  For this test, you will be asked to drink an incredibly sweet drink.  You’ll have to wait an hour, and then blood will be drawn to see how well your body is processing the sugar.

This is my 6th test as this is my 6th child.  I have discovered that the fruit punch flavor actually tastes the best.  My least favorite flavor was the orange flavor.  I’ve also discovered that the liquid tastes better if it is chilled.

It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s instructions to the letter when preparing for this test.  My doctor had told me to only drink water this morning and to eat only protein for breakfast.  I did as I was told to do, but another woman didn’t follow the instructions.  They actually refused to do the test on her and told her she had to re-schedule.

While I was waiting for time to pass, the nurse handed me a hospital pre-admission paper which he was going to have the hospital process.  That way, he explained, I wouldn’t have to worry about paperwork when I was in labor.  As I was filling out the paperwork, I got a little bit scared when I realized that I am REALLY having a baby.Â

I had to call my husband and cry.  My husband is very practical and was clearly dumbfounded: hadn’t I known for 6 months that I was having a kid?  Why was I so frantic at this moment?  Maybe it was all the sugar in that drink I said.

After taking several vials of blood to run the diabetes test, the midwife measured my stomach and listened for our son’s heartbeat. She asked about any complications I might be experiencing and weighed me.  My next appointment is in 3 weeks.

I’m curious to find out what other moms to be think about the diabetes test.  What was your favorite drink flavor?  Did you like your drink chilled or room temperature?

I am trying to make my birth experience as natural as possible. I’m prepared to forego an epidural and ‘tough it out,’ and am firmly against Pitocin to induce labor. I respect every woman’s right to choose her own birth experience, but, for me, I feel that a fully natural, un-medicated birth is the best way to go.

The gestational diabetes has put a slight complication in these plans, as the midwives have referred me to their MFMs (ie, maternal-fetal-medicine specialists, or obstetricians) for consultations.

Since I don’t need medication to control my blood sugar, and the baby, according to our most recent sonogram, is on the small side, in the 22^nd percentile for weight at 5.1 lbs at 37 weeks, I can still have a natural delivery with the midwife. But now they want me to go for weekly ultrasound tests.

Sometimes, I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle to have natural childbirth with as little intervention as possible. The more the medical personnel look for problems, I believe, the more they will find things to investigate. After all, one of the causes of emergency c-sections is hospital staff that panic upon misreading a fetal monitor when the mother is monitored continuously.

In general, out of all the medical tests and procedures, I am convinced that ultrasounds are one of the safest. I was fully prepared to have three throughout my pregnancy. But I believe that weekly ultrasounds, which could mean three or more until I hold my daughter in my arms, is a bit excessive. Even if she gains a pound a week at this point, she will still be a safe weight for a natural delivery.

I’m not sure if my arguing with the doctor over not having another ultrasound until week 40 is sheer stubbornness on my part, or borne of the conflicting research I’ve read about the technology.

I certainly believe the procedure is safe – in moderation. I’m not sure that three or four tests in as many weeks could be called ‘moderate.’

Certainly, Internet searches and discussions with women whose beliefs span the gamut from ‘medical technology is perfect’ to ‘all-natural birth, no compromises’ turns up plenty of research on both sides of the argument. Most of the research I’ve seen, however, leads me to believe that ultrasounds are perfectly safe – and certainly the safest, least invasive test you can for peace of mind. Here is just one article of many regarding the safety of ultrasounds.

I won’t deny that all three u/s I had put both mine and my husband’s minds at ease over several factors, and I won’t argue the convenience of knowing it’s a girl long before my delivery date.
What concerns me about the sonograms, more so than their overall safety is their accuracy in predicting what they are trying to determine in my situation: fetal weight. Depending on the competency of the technician, the best an ultrasound offers is a +/- 1 pound margin for error. When you are talking something weighing between 4 and 10 lbs., that’s a large difference. And when you are talking about an automatic, mandatory c-section at 9 lbs., based on hospital policy, I’m not willing to take that risk.

I haven’t reached a conclusion, yet, on what I’ll do next week when it’s time for the 38-week ultrasound. It might even be a moot point as I feel like the baby “dropped” a bit last night. I think I’m just weary of fighting with the medical establishment for my right to a natural birth.

When I got the call that I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, my visions of a completely natural, midwife-assisted childbirth with limited medical intervention felt shattered. Fortunately, a meeting with my (favorite) midwife set my mind at ease in that regard.

However, while I’ll know more after my sonogram determines fetal weight, there is a good chance that my midwife (and, more accurately, the doctors that have now been forced into the equation) won’t let this baby go a full 40 weeks gestation.

I won’t get into the side effects that I’ve read about and discussed with my childbirth instructor regarding Pitocin; there’s enough material there for a separate post. Suffice it to say, I am trying to avoid that route, although it will be preferable to a c-section if more natural remedies don’t work to induce labor.

I should add that a pregnant woman should not try natural induction methods without the advice of her physician or mid-wife. Here is a link to an article detailing why it’s not wise to try to induce labor simply because you are ‘tired of being pregnant.’

However, if you’ve passed Week 40, or have medical and physical reasons for an induction, these tips may result in an easier labor than Pitocin induction, with less medical intervention. Check with your doctor or midwife before trying any of these induction methods in earnest.

Evening Primrose Oil – A regime of 1,500 to 2,000 mg of Primrose oil by mouth (spread out 2 – 3 times daily) ripens the cervix for labor, although by itself, probably won’t start contractions. My midwife recommended I begin this at Week 35. You can also insert one gelcap vaginally at night to help ripen the cervix further. Some women who have tried this method have reported that labor began quickly afterwards. So far, I’ve experienced strong Braxton-Hicks contractions, a sign that the uterus is preparing for labor, shortly after taking the gel caps with meals.

Sex – This is probably the most-frequently recommended ‘homeopathic’ method to induce labor. And why not? You won’t have much time after the baby’s born.

How does it work? Prostaglandins in semen, help the cervix to ripen, soften and open, preparing the body for childbirth. Additionally, female orgasms releases Oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions.

Nipple Stimulation – One midwife told me this should only be done under the supervision of medical personnel, as it can create strong contractions and the baby should be monitored throughout. Other midwives and my childbirth instructor recommended it as a safe ‘at-home’ method to try. It will only work to start contractions if the cervix is already ripe for childbirth, and can also be used for augmentation of labor. It can be done manually, with a breast pump, or orally.

Castor oil and black and blue cohash are often recommended for labor induction, but most of the research I’ve read warns mothers to stay away from these methods. Blue cohosh reaches the placenta, where it can have side effects on the baby, and may also result in elevated blood sugar and blood pressure levels for the mother-to-be.

Along with stimulating contractions, Castor Oil stimulates diarrhea in the mother-to-be, which can lead to dehydration. Castor Oil will only work, however, when the cervix is ripe, and many women report that it was effective in inducing labor. Since labor can begin at any time when the cervix is ripe, this could be coincidence, as few clinical studies have been done on natural induction methods. There are reports of higher incidents of meconium in the amniotic fluid, a danger to the fetus, after the mother-to-be takes castor oil to induce pregnancy.

From breaking waters to reflexology and massage, there are many ways pregnant woman can try to induce labor, with emphasis on the word try. Some are old wives’ tales, while others have basis in medical fact. The truth is, short of a c-section, the baby will come when he or she is ready to enter the world. But these techniques can help the mother-to-be feel ‘in control’ during a very scary time in her life, and, if the stars align properly, they might just work to induce labor.

This is a difficult post to write. In the grand schemes of things, it’s not catastrophic, and I recognize this. Many other women, new mothers and moms-to-be, have it much worse than I do. But I’ve spent the last three weeks feeling sorry for myself, since I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.

Huh? That was my reaction. My husband and I questioned the test, questioned the competency of the lab personnel, questioned the validity of the results. If the four-hour fasting glucose test wasn’t such an awful ordeal for me, I would have demanded they re-do it.

I don’t want to scare anyone going through the test. As reported in this post, if you don’t have Gestational Diabetes, the test is no big deal. The syrupy glucose doesn’t taste all that bad (although the carbonation can make you a bit gassy) and the time really does pass quickly.

But if you have GD, the sugar shock (not a medical term!) can make you dizzy, nauseated, hot? some people have even passed out. I was permitted to lie in my car with the AC going between blood tests. (If they brought the climate in the waiting room down to a temperature I would have preferred, everyone else there would have frozen!) My husband said I did pass out, but I think I was just lying there silently? I don’t think I lost consciousness. Anyway, that was my first clue, and only indication–that maybe the test was not wrong. Other than that awful four-hour ordeal, I have not had any symptoms throughout my pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes affects only 2 to 8 percent of all pregnant women. Risk factors include:

• Obesity
• Previously giving birth to a large baby (9 lbs. or more)
• Family history of Type-2 Diabetes
• Rapid weight gain during pregnancy

I am not in any of these groups. My family doesn’t have a stellar medical history, but about the only thing missing from our collective health woes is Type 2 Diabetes. I’m probably the healthiest person in my family, without any afflictions or diseases. I work out regularly, keep my weight in check and, overall, have had an uneventful, uncomplicated (even enjoyable) pregnancy.

After nearly a week of ‘dealing’ with this diagnosis, I’ve gotten used to lancing my finger for blood sugar readings four times a day. The diet is not challenging; I’ve put myself on stricter regimes for far less important reasons (such as looking good in a bikini!)

But I still can’t get that nagging voice out of my mind: Why me? I’m not in any of the risk groups; I take good care of myself and, in fact, I have never eaten healthier than I have during my pregnancy. The odds of my getting GD were, give or take, 8 percent. I also can’t shake my (obviously mistaken) belief that Diabetes is a ‘fat person’s disease’ or that something I did (too many milkshakes?) caused the situation.

Very little of the research or articles written have shown me otherwise, but my midwife’s reassurances have made me feel better. Gestational diabetes occurs when the hormones that, in pregnancy, are designed to block the usual action of insulin, in order to insure the baby gets enough glucose to grow, are not doing their job properly. It’s hormonal, not behavioral. I didn’t really exhibit any of the other hormonal symptoms of pregnancy (such as mood swings), and my morning sickness was mild… so I guess GD is my hormonal burden to bear through this pregnancy.

Because so little of the research and articles out there address the guilt or self-blame associated with the disease, I want to say it now: If you are in that ‘lucky’ 2 to 8 percent diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it’s not your fault. Really.

Yes, it’s up to you now, to control it through diet and exercise, but you didn’t ‘give yourself’ the disease. Releasing that guilt, for me, was the first step toward making sure my pregnancy remains complication-free.

]]> http://blogs.babiesonline.com/health/facts-and-realizations-about-gestational-diabetes/feed/ 3 http://blogs.babiesonline.com/pregnancy/support-the-gestational-diabetes-act/ http://blogs.babiesonline.com/pregnancy/support-the-gestational-diabetes-act/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:16:09 +0000 Science-mom http://blogs.babiesonline.com/?p=3248

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is strongly supporting the passage of the GEstational DIabetes Act (S. 907/H.R. 1544) or the GEDI Act for short and it is asking you to help out.

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women who are not diabetics but whose blood sugar levels increase during pregnancy. According to the ADA, about 4% of all pregnant women get gestational diabetes. About 135,000 women are affected every year in the US alone.

When left untreated, the mother’s high glucose levels can lead to macrosomia – an overweight baby. Babies with macrosomia have higher risks for breathing problems and damage to the shoulders during delivery, as well as obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

The GEDI Act was introduced to the senate by Senator Hilary Clinton on September 20, 2006.

According to an update from the Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis:

The bill would require that CDC and NICHD, acting in consultation with NIDDK, expand research regarding gestational diabetes and obesity during pregnancy. The bill would also require CDC to establish a research advisory committee (which would include an NIH representative), to develop a “multisite, gestational diabetes research project within the diabetes program of the CDC to expand and enhance surveillance data and public health research on gestational diabetes.” Other provisions would require CDC to award demonstration grants to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes, and to encourage screening for gestational diabetes through existing state-based diabetes programs. The bill has two cosponsors and was referred to the Senate HELP Committee.

It is hoped that with the passage of the GEDI Act, more resources available to fight this disease.

Please show your support by writing a message to your representative here.

You think you have nothing to worry about because your glucose level is not high enough to be considered diabetic. Well, think again. Even if your glucose is below gestational diabetic levels, it may still affect your baby. “Slightly” high level of blood glucose in pregnant women may result in babies with higher birth weights and babies with diabetes. This is based on the studies by American researchers who looked at 25,505 women from nine countries who were 24 to 32 weeks pregnant.

When I was expecting my twins, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes although I completely disagreed with the diagnosis. My glucose levels were not that high, I wasn’t overweight, and there are no diabetics in my family. From my point of view, my risk factor was nil. However, my doctor convinced me to consult a diet specialist because twin pregnancies are usually risky and can easily lead to complications. So I did. And reading about this study, I am now glad I did.

The results of the study showed that pregnant women with “mild” gestational diabetes have a higher chance of overweight babies plus the possibility of babies having diabetes. The glucose level that requires a treatment, however, is not yet established.

Even so, we should not take our glucose level for granted. Talk to your doctor, ask for advice or get a treatment. Early treatment will protect your baby from becoming diabetic.

Sources:

HealthDay, 7 May 2008

New England Journal of Medicine 8 May 2008

Researchers have found that pregnant women with gum disease may have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes than those with healthy gums. A study showed that the 8 percent of women who developed gestational diabetes had higher levels of gum-disease-causing bacteria and inflammation.

While gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears once the baby is born, it can raise the risk of a woman developing type 2 diabetes later on. It can also lead to a larger baby, which could in turn require a woman to have a c-section.

The new findings, published in the Journal of Dental Research, suggest that gum disease may be a treatable risk factor for gestational diabetes.Researchers speculate that as gum disease can cause an inflammatory response throughout the body, it is possible that it may affect any pregnancy-related problems with blood sugar.

83 percent of the 265 women studied were Hispanic, a group with a higher-than-average risk of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Those who developed gestational diabetes were much more likely to have been heavier before becoming pregnant, have had diabetes during a past pregnancy, and have higher levels of a marker for inflammation and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers say that future studies on other high risk groups, such as Asians and Native Americans, are important.This reaffirms the fact that visiting your dentist before and during pregnancy is extremely important. Treatment of gum disease during pregnancy is said to be safe.

SOURCE: Journal of Dental Research, April 2008.

The soon to be 33 year old actress Angelina Jolie who already has one biological child with actor Brad Pitt, is finding pregnancy the second time around a little more challenging. Jolie has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes according to online reports. The actress has been suffering from endema, a condition which causes swelling, as well as extreme nausea and fatigue which are generally more pronounced with multiples. She became aware of developing gestational diabetes a few weeks ago. A source close to Jolie said that ?She?s been seeing a nutritionist about it ? frequently.?

The popular actress is said to be expecting fraternal twins (a boy and a girl) with live-in love Brad Pitt. Jolie and Pitt are the parents of three adopted children, two boys and a girl.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is defined by WebMD.com as ?a condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that is first recognized during pregnancy. The condition occurs in approximately 4% of pregnancies.? Although there are certain risk factors for developing gestational diabetes, many women who get the condition do not have any of these risks. Some of these risk factors include:

• Being overweight
• Belonging to the following racial groups: Hispanic, black, Asian or Native American
• Family history of diabetes
• Having a large baby, especially one weighing more than 9 pounds

Diabetes, gestational or not, is a disorder characterized by an elevated level of sugar in your blood, caused either because your body doesn?t produce enough insulin, or cannot properly use the insulin it does create. According to the March of Dimes, about 1% of women have diabetes before they become pregnant, and about 3-7% more will develop ?gestational diabetes? during pregnancy.

Interestingly, almost all women have a higher level of blood sugar during pregnancy than while not pregnant; this is due to hormonal changes. During pregnancy, your body creates extra hormones that help transfer nutrients from you to your developing baby; another set of extra hormones helps counteract the insulin your body produces to help you avoid getting blood sugar levels that are too low. At the same time, your pancreas has to create about three times the normal amount of insulin; if your body cannot produce enough insulin, you will develop gestational diabetes.

Women who develop gestational diabetes have a lower concern for risk than a pregnant woman with pre-gestational diabetes, as gestational diabetes usually does not present a concern for increased risk of birth defects.

Doctors routinely screen for gestational diabetes however, because controlling it relieves many of the problems gestational diabetes could cause. For example, uncontrolled gestational diabetes can result in ?macrosomia??the technical term for having a very large baby (ten pounds or more). Macrosomia results because the extra sugar in the mother?s blood crosses into the placenta, and the baby stores it as fat. In addition, women with poorly controlled gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and polyhydramnios (an abundance of amniotic fluid).

If you develop gestational diabetes, your doctor will work with you to create lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and possibly taking insulin, to control your blood sugar level. With this continual monitoring and control, you will most likely deliver a perfectly healthy baby.

References:

http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/gestational_diabetes

http://search.marchofdimes.com

You have probably heard rumors about the disgustingly sugary drink you?re forced to gulp at your doctor?s office around week 28. Perhaps I was just prepared for the worst, but I didn?t find it as horrendously appalling as the rumors made it out to be. It was an orange soda with what tasted like two or three times the amount of sugar. I jokingly asked the nurse how many calories were in it. (She didn?t know, if anyone else out there was wondering as well.) In two or three big gulps it was finished. Then, an hour later, the nurse drew some blood and I was done for the day?

Until I got a phone call a few days later saying my blood level was ?outside of the normal range.? I had to schedule a longer test at the hospital and was required to fast after midnight the night before to determine if I actually had gestational diabetes. I got into the hospital at 8 A.M. the next morning and set up camp in the waiting room.

For this test, they draw your fasting blood level as a point of reference. Then, you drink an even larger amount of the orange soda. Honestly, I was so hungry by this point that the sugar was happily downed. If your nurse is like the one I had, she might scare you a bit about the reactions some people have (chills, nausea, etc.) to the drink, which is likely due to having gestational diabetes. The nurse will draw your blood every hour for the next three hours. Unless you?re terrified of needles or stressing out over what you?re missing at work, neither the doctor?s office nor the hospital gestational diabetes test are too bad.

Interestingly, while the doctor?s office gestational diabetes test showed my blood levels were slightly elevated, the longer version of the gestational diabetes test I took at the hospital confirmed I was free and clear of gestational diabetes.