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Knowing Where to Turn for Help
Going through not one, not two, but three pregnancies with gestational diabetes can be tough.
But it’s a lot easier if you know where to find expert care, advice, and support.
When Erin and Jason Beelitz were expecting their first child, it never occurred to Erin that she might become diabetic as a result of her pregnancy. "I knew diabetes ran in my family, but I ignored that part in the baby books, thinking it wouldn’t happen to me," Erin admits. But 24 weeks into her pregnancy, after she’d undergone the standard glucose tolerance test given to all expectant moms, Erin’s results came back positive for gestational diabetes.
Throughout her pregnancy, then, Erin strictly followed the prescribed nutritional program, and she eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy. And when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes for her second and third pregnancies, she was prepared. She knew just what to expect and just where to go for the specialized prenatal care she needed: Riverview Medical Center.
An On-Target Program
The Gestational Diabetes Program is part of Riverview’s overall Diabetes Management Program, and it has helped thousands of expectant mothers over the past 15 years by providing them with education, nutritional counseling, blood glucose monitoring training, and ongoing support.Working with the program’s specially trained registered dietitian and nurse, patients manage their own condition through individualized meal planning.
Eugene Kaskiw, M.D., is an OB/GYN affiliated with Riverview, and his practice has referred close to 200 women to the Gestational Diabetes Program. "Women with gestational diabetes are at higher risk for developing diabetes later in life. The program encourages patients to make appropriate nutritional choices that increase the likelihood of achieving a favorable pregnancy outcome," he says. "Through counseling, diet modification, exercise, and self-management, lifestyle changes are adopted that will carry over and serve as a cornerstone for continued healthy living." Dr. Kaskiw has also been impressed with the staff of the Gestational Diabetes Program, who, he notes, "are very committed to their work and to achieving the program’s goals," as evidenced by the many healthy babies he has delivered over the years.
Always at the Ready
Equally committed to her own healthy pregnancies, Erin fastidiously followed the six-meals-a-day plan developed for her by Mary Higgins, M.S., R.D., CDE, and Cindy Andl, R.N., CDE. She eliminated all concentrated sugars, such as cookies and ice cream, from her diet; and she learned to balance protein-rich foods, such as eggs, cheese, and meats, with more complex carbohydrates, like whole wheat pastas and breads. Additionally, Erin would test her blood sugar every day to make sure it wasn’t too high, and then she’d bring the results to her obstetrician, Narinder Thind, M.D.
But despite the fact that Erin carefully adhered to her customized meal plan, her blood sugar would sometimes fluctuate, making her dizzy and shaky. When this happened, she’d immediately call her nutrition experts at Riverview for help and advice, and they’d work out an adjustment to her diet that would maintain her blood sugar within the normal range. "It was frustrating, because I wasn’t sure why my blood sugar went up," shares Erin. "But the staff knew just what to do, and they kept a close eye on me." And because keeping her blood sugar level in check became a little tougher with each pregnancy, Erin found herself relying on the guidance of Riverview’s Gestational Diabetes Program a little more each time.
Now a mother of three thriving children, Erin has gained a well-earned perspective: "I went into pregnancy not knowing anything about gestational diabetes. I didn’t know what it meant for me or for the baby, or what could happen. But the staff at Riverview eased my mind. They explained everything to me and were always there whenever I needed help. It wasn’t so scary or unknown. I’m absolutely thrilled with the way everything turned out."
 – Diane Gribbin
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What You Should Know About Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a specific
form of diabetes that occurs during
pregnancy. Approximately 7% of all
pregnant women — or 200,000 cases —
are diagnosed in the United States each
year. Although the exact cause is unknown,
researchers suspect that hormones in the
placenta make it hard for some mothers’
bodies to make and use insulin. Without enough insulin, glucose (sugar) cannot
leave the blood, causing a buildup to
hyperglycemia. In babies, the effects
of gestational diabetes can be very
serious, ranging from macrosomia to
breathing problems. Further, babies
with excess insulin may be at higher
risk for childhood obesity and for type
2 diabetes in adulthood.
You are at increased risk of
gestational diabetes if:
- You are over the age of 25
- You are overweight prior to becoming pregnant
- You have a family history of diabetes
- You are African American or Hispanic
To learn more about Riverview’s services for diabetes patients, call the Diabetes Management Program at 732-530-2555.
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or 1-800-560-9990 | Contact Us 
