Gestational diabetes (again) - morning reading

[ChuckGarabedian]

Hi all,

I’m 31 weeks pregnant and

Argh pressed post too soon! 31 weeks pregnant, have GD and the only number I am struggling to get in range (diet controlled) is the morning fasting one. It has been only just out of range this past 4 mornings or so (usually 5.4 and they are looking for between 4.0 and 5.3). Feeling very frustrated. Has anyone else found this?

When i was pregnant, i had the same issue with both pregnancies… i tried various things that i got recommended, like having a small snack before bed, or a little snack like a mini rice cake if i was up in the night to use bathroom, nothing ever worked. My lowest readings would always be when i would have had a very long walk post dinner but not low enough to be normal

Even on high dose insulin shots it would never be ‘normal’ range.

It was a bit shit because all my other readings were absolutely fine with balance of diet and walking… The midwives were very reassuring that for some women this is how it is and sometimes you can’t really do anything.

Are you on medication or are you just diet controlled?

Yes, I struggled to get the morning number in range. I tried everything, including apple cider vinegar. I ended up on slow release insulin. I so desperately wanted to avoid it but ultimately it was less stressful that way and I felt a lot better once it was under control.
It's really hormonal and so many women struggle with just the fasting blood sugars. I joined a Facebook group which was really helpful - gestational diabetes uk. There are A LOT of posts but some really useful.

I was diet controlled throughout. When I had high morning readings I was advised to eat a high protein snack right before I go to bed.

Thanks for the reply @Covetthee. At the minute I’m diet controlled; was diagnosed at 28 weeks and numbers had been fine since then until about 4 days ago when the morning fasting one started creeping up. I’ve been having a snack just before bed since diagnosis which had been keeping the morning one in check but that doesn’t seem to be working now.
Not sure what else I can do except maybe a bit of light exercise after dinner. Quality of sleep isn’t great but not much I can do about that unfortunately.
Were you on medication for it? I’ve read that insulin is fine but there are some side effects with metformin?

@Trinacham

I was diet controlled throughout. When I had high morning readings I was advised to eat a high protein snack right before I go to bed.

What would you normally have had for your nighttime snack @Trinacham? I had been having things like two wholewheat crackers with cheese or two oatcakes with peanut butter and those had worked fine initially, but maybe too much carbohydrate for me now.

@afinethingindeed

Yes, I struggled to get the morning number in range. I tried everything, including apple cider vinegar. I ended up on slow release insulin. I so desperately wanted to avoid it but ultimately it was less stressful that way and I felt a lot better once it was under control. It's really hormonal and so many women struggle with just the fasting blood sugars. I joined a Facebook group which was really helpful - gestational diabetes uk. There are A LOT of posts but some really useful.

Thanks @afinethingindeed. I was hoping to avoid it too but it’s getting stressful that my morning readings are getting higher through no fault of my own, when the rest of the day is generally fine! Did the slow release insulin make a big difference for you?

Nothing I tried worked to control that for me and that's just the way it is sometimes. I was upset to start with to need insulin but if n the end I did what was recommended and best for my baby. I still struggled even then as your levels are always changing.

@ChuckGarabedian yes, it made a difference right away. And like I said, it relieved a lot of stress which I think was important for me at that time.
You might already know that GD is progressive so I did have to increase my insulin a few times (though still only one daily injection). I think once I got to about 35/36 weeks, it stabilised and I didn't have to increase again.

Yes i was on metformin am & pm and slow release insulin… with my first pregnancy the metformin did make me a bit nauseas for a few days but that settled quickly and second time around no issues whatsoever

I was told after 30 weeks it does become harder to control your levels more.

I would advise to walk as much as possible esp in the evening.

If you’re fasting levels are still high after trying all ‘nautral’ ways then midwives might suggest some medication depending on how high the fasting levels are. if its only a little out of range they might not have major concerns. Bu 32/33 weeks i was 6/7 in the mornings

If levels are still high after trying all ‘nautral’ ways then midwives might suggest some medication depending on how high the fasting levels are. if its only a little out of range they might not have major concerns. Bu 32/33 weeks i was 6/7 in the mornings

They’ve only just started to creep out of range (5.4 usually and 5.3 is the cutoff) but at my last appointment the midwife did say my morning readings were the ‘higher side of normal’ even when they were in range, so I imagine they will want to try me on medication. So be it I suppose, like a PP said I’ll do whatever is best for the baby, but it’s just one of those frustrating things.

so its not very bad atm but as your pregnancy progresses it will be harder.

if they advise medication then it’s obviously the best solution.

It is shit but you just have to remind yourself its just how your body handles pregnancy. I cried a lot first time around thinking it was myself for eating like crap but second time i knew i was at risk and ate the gd diet from the start and i still had it so it is what it is.

Best of luck for the rest of your pregnancy.