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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIn most circumstances, you'll find out that you have gestational diabetes as the result of a screening test performed routinely during your pregnancy. If you have an abnormal test, you'll likely be asked to come in for an appointment promptly. Your doctor will also schedule more frequent regular prenatal appointments to monitor the course of your pregnancy.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes often does not cause any noticeable symptoms, but keep a log of anything unusual that you notice.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
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Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For gestational diabetes, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What can I do to better control my condition?
- What determines if I need medication to control my blood sugar?
- What symptoms should prompt me to seek medical attention?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
If you haven't seen this doctor before the discovery of gestational diabetes, he or she is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them so that you'll have more time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- Have you experienced any symptoms, such as increased thirst or excessive urination? If so, when did they start and how often do you have them?
- Do you have a parent or sibling that has ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
- Have you had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies?
- Have you had any other problems in other pregnancies?
- If you have other children, how much did each weigh at birth?
- Have you gained or lost a lot of weight at any point in your life?
What you can do in the meantime
If your doctor suspects you have gestational diabetes or you've been diagnosed with this condition, you can help control the condition by making healthy lifestyle choices. Don't delay your appointment to start care for gestational diabetes. Every week counts for you and your baby. Follow your doctor's recommendations, and take good care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, exercise, and take time to learn as much as you can about gestational diabetes.
- Strehlow SL, et al. Diabetes mellitus & pregnancy. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2385290. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Jovanovic L. Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
- Jovanovic L. Treatment and course of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Diabetes. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2005:1172.
- Cheng YV, et al. Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes mellitus. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;112:1015.
- Gestational diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- Gilmartin AH, et al. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;1:129. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=19015764. Accessed Jan. 3, 2009.
