Gestational diabetes.. low sugar levels?!?

[happymum1001]

I’m 37+5 and I was diagnosed with GD on Saturday I don’t have my appointment to get my blood meter until tomorrow but my mum had a spare one for me. I have been checking my sugars and they have never went high. Always low, I’m confused by this?? I woke up this morning in a pool of sweat and I was vomiting then when I checked my sugar levels they where 2.4 this has happened a few times since Saturday where they have dropped below 4.

I’m also concerned that the day before I was diagnosed I had a scan that showed baby had dropped a few percentile lines and AC measurements where a few weeks behind. This isn’t following babies trend as he has measured bigger numbers whole pregnancy.

When are you checking your sugars? At 36+ weeks your levels can even out a bit more and your insulin resistance can return to almost normal levels. The time when you are most insulin resistant is 32-36 weeks, this is to basically allow baby to put on weight. They then return to almost normal levels which could mean your baby is about to make their arrival soon. It could be that they’ve caught you at the tail end of the high risk period and now your sugars are almost back to normal.

However, 2.4 is very low. Give maternity assessment a call and mention the very low sugars. Hopefully they’ll ask you in to monitor you. If they don’t call you in, keep an eye on baby’s movements and any concerns ring them straight back.

I have been checking sugars before meals and 1 hour after as advised by the diabetic team in my area. When I've had the low sugars it has either been on my first reading of the day or else at random times when I have felt the affects of low blood sugar. Just worried as I'm only due to see someone this morning about the diabetes and I'm nearly 38 weeks🤷🏼‍♀️

Gestational diabetes causes you to worry no matter what! High blood sugars, low blood sugars, eaten the wrong thing, not knowing what you’re doing, all cause worry. So that’s normal.

Speak with your diabetes team this morning at your appointment. Although they might not be overly helpful, I had low sugars yesterday and was told to eat more carbs If you’re sugars are low on waking and in the night, you might want to try having a snack before you go to bed. Have a look at the gestational diabetes website and that’ll explain things in more detail than I can.

I don’t know the answer to your query but was diagnosed with GD very late in my last pregnancy. Close to the point Baby was born my numbers were all over the place as it is affected by hormones so you can get funny results. I agree though with the person above that you should call your hospital/midwife as 2.4 is very low even for a fasting level - I can’t remember exactly but I think I was told to contact them if my numbers were ever below 3.5.

You may also find this useful:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/

Are you on insulin? GD shouldn't be making you have low sugars unless you're on insulin

Thanks so much for all your replies!! I'm at an obstetrician appointment now and then due to see diabetic team after so I'm 100% going to say something!

I'm usually pretty good with snacking because im always hungry😂🤦🏼‍♀️ so im not sure how they drop so low sometimes

I'm not on insulin or any medication for the diabetes which is why I was also confused at the low sugar level.

Yes it's a bit unusual! I think that having a reading under 4 is not in itself unusual, 'normal' people can be in the 3s especially overnight.

2.4 is rather like though, especially with symptoms of a hypo would suggest it isn't just a duff monitor. Good luck at your appointment - let us know how you get along.