Borderline Gestational Diabetes

[Nia18]

Has anyone been told to treat themselves as if they have GD, but not actually been diagnosed?

My GTT came out at 7.7, so on the border. I also have polydramnois and my baby is on the 95th percentile (both my others were on the 10th).

I'm anxious to try to keep this baby as healthy as possible, but I feel like I'm in the dark.
In a way I sort of wish I was past the borderline so I'd have the support and information other than 'be careful, watch your diet' etc.

I've bought my own glucose monitor so at least I have an idea as to where I am.

I've read so much contradictory information though. NHS says low fat along with low carb and sugar, other places say to avoid low fat options etc.

Should I ask for another GTT?

How many weeks are you OP?

I was borderline under with DS2 from 28 weeks. I had further GTT because I continued to have symptoms of GD. My baby consistently measured ahead and I had protein and glucose in my sample. If there are other symptoms, you will probably be offered a retest.

@Moomoolandmoomooland I'm 30+5. I had my GTT at 28 weeks.

I feel awful if I've eaten the wrong thing. Breathless, racing heart, sweats etc. Could this be down to my glucose levels?

I'll be seeing a new consultant next week so I'm thinking they may have a different approach to my last consultant.

I had gd and the dieticiean recommended a low fat low carb diet. However, low fat really didn't work for me and my numbers always shot up. I had full fat milk, yogurt, cheese etc just in moderation and managed well for about 8 weeks, then I went on insulin and was induced at 38 weeks. My DC was born 6lbs 10oz at 38+3. I would ask for a second GTT, think it's a bit unfair you have been stuck inbetween! I had regular growth & doppler scans as they like to keep an eye on the placenta/blood flow aswell as baby size. His growth stalled a little towards the end and I think I ended up being scaned every week until induction x

I don't know OP because I was never formally diagnosed with GD. How often are you being seen? Are you having any additional scans due to the amniotic fluid?

If you are not happy with the advice given, ask to speak to your MW or consultant again. I was pretty much in the hospital every three weeks with DS having a scan or GTT. I self referred on a few occasions because I had a history of pre-eclampsia (I eventually had it with DS2 as well) so was on the ball with any headaches etc. The hospital had a day unit for any scans etc if my MW was not able to see me that day at clinic.

Hi OP, that’s great you’ve bought a monitor. I passed three tests and through self testing know I have it now at 30 weeks. Do you know the limits you should be aiming for?

The NHS diet advice for GD is terrible. You need low carb, low sugar, high fat and high protein. Have you been on the gestational diabetes uk site and Facebook page? They have loads of really useful info including meal ideas.

With my first I was 0.2 under the threshold for diagnosis I was told by my midwife. I was concerned but she told me not to worry but to try and reduce my intake of sugar which admittedly had been very large until then! It was a shock and I was a size 8 with no diabetes in my family. My DC was also measuring large on fundal height measurements. I just ate less sugar and all was fine, I never had symptoms and the fundal height measurements ended up being totally wrong as DD was born around the 30th centile.

I would definitely ask to be tested again, if you’re borderline now, i assume as your pregnancy progresses you will have higher levels.

Yes mine was borderline in both pregnancies - definitely treat as if you have it as it's progressive and around week 34 tends to be the peak.

Ask for a repeat GTT in 3-4 weeks if you want confirmation, but even mild GD can lead to difficult outcomes so definitely watch your sugar readings and make sure you treat it.

If you're borderline hopefully you can control it with diet only. You need to up fat and protein and massively reduce carbs (it's not just about sugar but all carbs). The Gestational Diabetes UK website is an excellent resource - definitley have a good look around.

I've had it diet controlled twice now so ask any questions here and I'm sure i or others can answer them.

I'm of no help except low fat food often replaces fat with sugar. For example a low fat yogurt will have far more sugar than a normal yogurt.

I had exactly your situation OP. GTT was 7.7 (fasting absolutely fine), big baby and polyhydramnios. I wasn’t tested until 36 weeks because I had no risk factors - average sized bump, slim, white, no diabetes in the family - but when a routine scan showed the baby’s size they did the GTT.
To confuse matters further the GTT is less reliable late in pregnancy and my first baby was also big (just under 9lbs, if he’d been 9lbs I’d also have been tested for GD earlier) so the consultant couldn’t really say whether I had it or not.

Anyway I behaved as if I did to be on the safe side. The NHS diet advice is absolutely Crap. Join the Gestational diabetes U.K. Facebook group and check out their website for the best advice. Basically low carb high fat and protein and “pairing” your carbs with fat and protein (eg making sure to eat peanut butter with an apple, or Mayo with bread) reduces the effect on blood sugar.

My baby was born on her due date and weighed 9lbs so exactly as estimated and 90 somethingth centile. I had a waterbirth and all went smoothly, and she was perfectly healthy. She’s now 4 months and ebf and has gradually moved to between 50th and 75th centile so I think something was going on and she probably shouldn’t have been the size she was.

Good luck and feel free to PM me with any qs!