Gestational Diabetes
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I was diagnosed last week, my fasting level was fine then 2 hours I was 10.1. I'm managing to do it through diet at the moment but have had some high readings, a lot is trial and error to begin with and seeing what your body can tolerate. I've stuck to the same thing for breakfast and was told to trial new things for lunch and dinners as you're more active during those times of the day and that helps bring BSLs down xx
Big babies are traditionally linked to diabetes in pregnancy, but you can also get small for gestational age too. Your baby is fine if on the 21st centile but will be monitored with growth scans. What were your levels?
I got diagnosed last week, my level was 8.9 but I have managed to keep all of my levels within the required readings since finding out using just diet controlled. At your appointment with a GD support worker they will explain why it happens and what it means. I’ve seen MOST babies born are absolutely normal weight but I think that’s just one of the possible side effects of GD is for baby to take the extra glucose too and put weight on more so around tummy and shoulders which can cause difficulty when having a vaginal birth. As for food, I am super picky and don’t eat too many out there foods such as pulses etc but I’ve made simple changes to whole meal breads and pastas and it’s mostly about pairing foods so making sure you eat those healthy carbs with every meal along with some form or protein and veg/salad etc. I’ve tried very similar diets for myself in the past and it’s hard to motivate yourself but just focus on baby, because they will be your biggest motivation!
Me too! I’m suprised how much it has upset me! Any good breakfast ideas?
@Kaylee quick question, how long after a meal are you meant to check your levels? I’m sure my symptoms are GD but my midwife isn’t concerned and thinks I don’t, so I’m going to monitor myself at home for a few days. I wasn’t sure if it was 1 or 2 hours post meal 😅
@Keeley 2 hours
@Keeley i have to check one hour post meals, with the photo I attached those are the ranges for the hour. I know some places are 2 hours, I think it has to be under 6.4 mmol for that but im not 100% sure.
@Keeley if you are feeling uneasy about your symptoms you midwide really should book you in for a GTT. I thought my symptoms were just pregnancy related but turns out they were GD. Dry mouth, needing to pee literally every 20-30 mins at night, extra thirsty. I had very low blood pressure too which I had no clue was a sign but it was the biggest give away.
Got diagnose last week, normal range fasting level but after 2 hours 10.2, diabetes class this Friday have started making changes to diet and will be more active although I was eating relatively healthy i.e. salad for lunch everyday and was doing Pilates/reformer Pilates/ yoga anyway sometimes just unlucky! But will add swimming now as well. It’s better to know than not get diagnose I guess but will defo miss pasta in winter 🍝 nevermind just 3 more months!
@Kaylee my symptoms are more as a result of what I eat so if I have anything sugary (can be something naughty or cereal etc), then within a couple of hours I literally feel shaky, hot, heart racing, feel like I could pass out - so presume a sugar crash? But it’s so extreme and can happen daily. So I’ve tried to eat ‘healthy’ and although it’s been better, I still end up asleep within an hour of I eat something carby/sugary. Surely can’t be normal! In terms of thirst/weeing I don’t think I’ve noticed those symptoms so going to test myself for a few days and see what the numbers looks like. The midwife just said that there’s no glucose in my urine sample, I’m not thirsty etc so it could just be my body struggling with managing glucose levels which can be normal. God knows 😩
@Kaylee one last question (sorry 🫣).. do you only test before and after meals? There’s no way I can survive lunch until tea time without a snack 😅.. so do you just not test before/after the snack? By snack I’m talking a couple of toasted tea cakes/banana and PB, so not just a little something x
@Keeley it does sound like your spiking way to high. It's probably the right thing to test at home. If your trying to manage your diet and it's still happening its definitely better to see how your body is coping as you may need medications. You don't have to test for snacks, it's just advised you snack anywhere from 2 hours after a meal to 2 hours before a meal. Your snack level should be reflected in your before meal reading. I found if I don't snack my Levels are actually higher before a meal, but with snacks they are significantly lower. It's advised you have a high protein snack 30 mins before bed too.
Owww for Some reason non of the replies came through ! Just reading them all now ! Thanks x
@Clare hello, so my first levels (after fasting was 7.6 … then had the drink and after the 2 hours was 10.1 .. I’m unsure of the numbers but they said my starting numbers were high as well as the after. I have the clinic tomorrow so all very quick which is good ! Yes they said maybe that’s why I’ve had smaller babies as I’ve never had the test before and this is number 5 and all mine have been very small birth weights ! X
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@Kaylee I’ve been told 1 hour also x
Me..I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. Had a few days of high fasting levels so went onto 1× metformin of an evening, still no.jmprovemebt so up to 2× metformin on an evening. Yet again, no help so.upped to 2 units.of insulin alongside the metformin starting tonight. Baby is 23rd centile. Last baby I had gd managed with diet until the last few weeks 1x metformin so it's moved a bit quicker this time. Last baby was also 23rd centile. It can cause big or small babies, but between 10th and 90th is considered " normal" anyway. I adbise you look at the gestational diabetes. Co.uk website and their Facebook page as their info is so much more comprehensive than the NHS information. Even the dietary advice is great and teaches you how to not spike your sugar levels and what's sage to eat, plus some nice safe dessert recipes ! I have to test on waking ( under 5.3), and 1 hour after eating ( under 7.8)
Got my results today and I havnt stoped crying 😂 my fasting levels were absolutely fine but 2 hours after the drink and it was over 10 which on the phone she was like .... that really high. So with that reaction I know it's bad!