Help- mini GTT and trace protein at 28wk midwife appt

[VisionsofJohanna]

I had my 28 week appointment yesterday and had the mini glucose tolerance test (17 glucose tablets in water then bloods taken after 1 hour) and normal pee stick test. I had +1 protein in my urine and slightly high glucose in blood at 8.4mmol (I understand at my trust 7.9mmol is cut off).

Urine has been sent off for further testing and I have to go back and have the full fasting gestational diabetes glucose test next week. Midwife said no need to change diet in the meantime.

Thing is, I’m really upset. I’ve been feeling great in myself, blood pressure normal, got into a real swing of cooking healthy meals from scratch and starting to enjoy the pregnancy after horrible morning sickness to 16 weeks and an MMC at 12 weeks last year. Guess I’m just wondering if anyone else has had slightly high levels of either reading and everything turned out ok? Or if you have managed gestational diabetes through diet alone? Trying so hard not to panic google and sit tight until next week...

Last time I had gtt test (full one, not heard of mini - is that new?) at 28w and got a 7.8 result, so was treated as if I had gd even though borderline.
Managed through diet alone and was allowed to go to 40+6 (the max) before being induced.

I remember at my nutrition class the amount of women asking if x and y was okay, as in really expensive organic healthy foods and the nutritionist saying nope you need to give them up. A healthy diet does not mean you won't get GD but then again neither will a sugar filled processed food diet. If your pregnancy hormones start blocking your insulin production then you will have higher glucose levels that can pass through the placenta. Your diet might be able to control it (for me I needed exercise too as diet wouldn’t cut it on its own) but remember most women don’t get tested until now so there must be research to show little damage can be done before this stage so you don’t need to panic. If you do have it be grateful you will have midwives to support you through dietary changes, hopefully you have financial means to change your diet and you will have access to medication which means it will not affect your baby. Whatever happens it is just a case of adjustment. BTW I was on the GD diet from 28 weeks in my last pregnancy and from 6 weeks in this pregnancy and I have whinged lots about it so I’d recommend that to get you through it. Hopefully your results come back okay

Thanks both so much for your comments @TinoTheArtisticMouse glad to hear all went well for you
@InappropriateUsername I know it’s not really diet related but it’s just the perception, you know? And I do love a carb whinging sounds a good way forward if test results don’t go my way. Thanks again

I know what you mean. As some can control with diet how can it not be diet related. Essentially if your body stops doing its insulin thing you can swap to a low GI diet to avoid the glucose spikes and if that doesn't work then meds will. Good news is you won't be allowed to give up carbs but you may have to reduce or avoid certain ones. I have a handful of crisps most days as my afternoon snack and my body doesn't mind it. I have put on 2 pounds this pregnancy and bump is huge, baby is measuring fine. It often feels counter intuitive to me and for the only time in my life I get anxious about not putting on weight. Whatever happens you will have support. Personally I have found this pregnancy the least physically exhausting even with a 4 year old and 16 month old to run after which I put down to the diet and exercise regime so there can be positive outcomes stemming from this - hopefully you don't have it though!