Question for anybody with gestational diabetes

My fasting readings have been just under the threshold 5.0/5.1 consistently for about 2 weeks. They were all in the 4s prior to this. After meals my readings range from 5.6-6.7, they have been consistent since diagnosis. The last few days my readings before lunch and before dinner have been 5.9-6.3 when usually they are about 4.8. None of my other figures have changed, and with numbers like that I would expect my fasting readings to a lot higher than they are. What can I do to lower my pre meal readings? I'm fairly active during the day and I would usually have a protein cereal bar between meals as my snack, or cheese and crackers. I'm diet controlled at the moment (33 weeks), I have been since my diagnosis at 27 weeks and would much rather stay diet controlled. If I require medication, I have to change hospital for birth and consultant which is 2 hours away, so would rather not have to travel 4 hours for a consultant once a week and travel 2 hours in labour. As of current, they are happy with me to go to 41 weeks naturally and no intervention needed but with medication I'll be looking at an induction or section at 39 weeks if I don't pop before that which I really don't want. It just seems my levels aren't dropping after I eat as quick as they were, it could be 5 hours between meals usually.

Show your support

Are you doing a little walk after your meals? I find that helps bring my numbers down. Also snacking between meals is important rather than leaving it a long time between eating. Aiming to eat every 2 hours helps. If I don't, my sugars drop and then my body dumps glucose to pump them back up. I think that's how it works! I'm afraid I can't help much as my hospital don't need me to check my pre meal numbers, only post meal. The other thing to consider is that if you start medication, that isn't necessarily reason for induction before your due date. The NICE Guidelines indicate that induction should be offered at 40+6 if sugars are well controlled and no other complications *even if* you are on medication. I.e. if you end up on meds but your numbers stay well controlled and there are no complications with the placenta or baby, then the guidelines indicate that induction is at 40+6, not before

@Catherine due to my job I'm on my feet 90% of the day walking, or doing some form of exercise and it's been the same consistent level since diagnosis. I aim to snack about 2.5 hours after I finish eating, if I know dinner is going to be earlier than normal I would maybe miss the snack occasionally but the last few days I've been eating the snacks that work well for me, and still getting High readings. I know the guidelines are 40+6 but I trust has its own set of guidelines they follow, it was made clear at time of diagnosis what would happen if I started medication which has kinda scared me from allowing medication to be an option.

They may have their own guidelines, and if you are happy with them then that is the most important thing. But always remember it is your choice. Even if they have a guideline they can't enforce it. I'd also be asking them why they aren't following the NICE guidelines as that is the golden standard.

Are you testing before every meal? I've been told just to do fasting 1 in am then 1 hr after each meal? The fasting one of 5.1 is fine it is under the limit and your sugars after a meal are well within range. It will get harder to control the more pregnant you get so it will increase but it's just keeping it under that number. My consultant only queries readings over 7.5 I've only had 1 or 2 like that and usually a reason for it. I am on medication but I was on that pre pregnancy. It sounds like yours is very well controlled so keep doing what you are doing. I was told that often the am fasting is the issue and there is little you can do for that from a diet perspective so if it creeps up and stays up you may need meds for that but there is next to nothing you can do about it. Maybe have a protien/fat based carb free snack before bed.

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌