Roxanna Aldstadt, DO
Beth Aycock, RD, CD, CDE
Kelly’s doctor, Froedtert Health Medical Group obstetrician/gynecologist Roxanna Aldstadt, DO, sat down with Kelly for a frank discussion. But first, she listened. “I cried in Dr. Aldstadt’s office,” Kelly said. Kelly understood that the diagnosis put her baby at risk – gestational diabetes can cause babies to grow too large, resulting in complicated deliveries – but she also wanted to avoid drastic medical intervention, if at all possible. While Kelly was willing to take medication or insulin to keep her blood sugar levels in check, she asked Dr. Aldstadt if she could try diet and exercise first. Dr.
Aldstadt agreed and referred Kelly to Beth Aycock, RD, CD, CDE, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Froedtert Health Medical Group.
“ Dr. Aldstadt was phenomenal. She really worked with me to develop a treatment for this condition that was workable with my lifestyle.”
Kelly Mekka
Beth taught Kelly how to check her blood sugar and how to plan healthy meals. “Te goal is to have steady blood sugar,” Beth said. “You do that by having consistent carbs spread out through the day.” Kelly started checking her sugar four times a day (in the morning and one hour after every meal); she also ate three small meals and three small snacks a day.
A team of people kept close tabs on Kelly’s progress. “When someone is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the diabetes nurse practitioner, diabetes nurse educator, dietitian and the doctor may be involved,” Dr. Aldstadt said. Treatment plans are based on the patient’s blood sugar levels, the baby’s condition and the patient’s values.
“Dr. Aldstadt was phenomenal,” Kelly said. “She really worked with me to develop a treatment for this condition that was workable with my lifestyle. If it were not for her approach, I don’t think my pregnancy would have been as enjoyable. She was the perfect doctor for my situation.”
Kelly was able to avoid insulin; her blood sugar levels stayed in control and her baby flourished. Katelyn Mekka was born at Froedtert Health St. Joseph’s Hospital’s New Life Center in November 2009. “Te New Life Center was wonderful,” Kelly said.
Kelly knew from Dr. Aldstadt that women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a 30 percent to 60 percent chance of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next 10 to 20 years. “I decided I was going to do everything in my power not to get diabetes later in life,” Kelly said. So she stuck to her healthy diet post-pregnancy.
Smaller size is just one of the benefits of weight loss.
By the time Kelly returned to Dr. Aldstadt for her six-week checkup, she’d lost all the baby weight. “Tat’s when I decided to keep at it,” Kelly said. She continued her healthy eating habits, added in exercise and joined Weight Watchers. Te weight dropped off. Her family noticed, and one by one, they joined her efforts.
Today, daughter Katelyn is surrounded by a loving, fit family. “It’s been a total lifestyle change,” Kelly said. “I started doing this for my daughter, but at some point I started doing it for me too. I’m so grateful for the support I received from Dr. Aldstadt and Froedtert Health.”
For more information about OB/GYN services or the New Life Center, visit
stjosephswb.com.
Gestational Diabetes
• Moms who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.
• Babies of moms who had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later in life. Be sure your child’s doctor knows if you had gestational diabetes.
• Good blood sugar control is essential for a good pregnancy outcome. Work with your health care provider on diet and exercise or the need for medication or insulin.
Healthy Living 5
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