Gestational diabetes

[flowerchop]

I had my GTT today and I've already got my results via the app. Of course takes a few days to contact. I think I have GD, Im only 25, BMI is fairly high (29ish before pregnancy) but I had the test due to being south Asian.

Really anxious about this now, as I can imagine family and friends passing judgemental comments and im already someone who really hates being told what to do or over advised.

I feel like I've never been too awful with sugar, I slightly increased my intake during pregnancy but nothing crazy and I reject sugar a lot too in fear of health issues.

I went home and slept in between the first blood test and the one 2 hours later. So had to go up and down a few stairs... could this have raised my blood sugar??

My fasting level was 5.6 and my level after drinking the solution after 120 mins was 10.6

Hi, I have GD diagnosed early this time round. From what I can gather, being active can lower your glucose readings, when I had mine, the hospital wanted me to completely rest for the 2 hours inbetween

If it makes you feel better, I'm actually underweight by BMI, but got GD diagnosis as well! Though my fasting level was normal, just 2hr one shot up to 11.9.... The diabetics midwife said that it has nothing to do with my lifestyle (I in general eat quite healthily already) but all to do with the pregnancy hormones.

So far I've figured out:

• Having a high 2hr test result doesn't mean that at normal times your blood sugar level is definitely too high. Remember that the 2hr result was produced by feeding you something very sweet and asking you to not do any activities in between
• Banning sweets is necessary to avoid blood sugar shooting up
• Reducing carbs portion helps too, esp for breakfast. I'm now only having 20g wheat biscuit for breakfast, with milk and egg and veg. For lunch and dinner I eat 40-50g (dry weight) brown rice / wholemeal pasta, and loads of meat and veg
• Fruits only in between meals after the 1hr blood sugar test. Two pieces of fruits a day for me.
• Having a short walk (10-20mins) helps a lot. Do it after meals and before you test your blood sugar level.
• Finishing dinner before 8pm helps too. Then at 9pm once I tested my blood sugar, I have some yogurt to top up.

It's only been a few days since my diagnosis, but I've found it relatively easy to control my blood sugar once I figured out how. Key is to ban sweets and control carbs portions. Then you can eat as much meat/protein and veg as you want with meals, and top up with snacks (fruits, oatcake with cheese, hummus, home-made beef jerky, nuts, etc as long as it's not pure carbs) so I'm actually quite full every day. It's not that difficult. Wish you all the best!

Please don't ever think your sugar intake has anything to do with GD. It's all because of the placenta, there is nothing you could've done and different to stop it happening.
I had it in my last pregnancy (boy) and this time I don't (girl). But as soon as baby is here, it will disappear. The judgemental people don't have a clue what they're talking about. Really hope everything goes okay 💕

I agree with the others. I had the glucose test at my booking appointment due to a family history of type 2 diabetes. I have a healthy diet and an active lifestyle of walking, running and swimming since my teens. I was also shocked when I got the results. I am managing it by not eating after 7.30pm, eating at least two portions of veg per day and portion control. Also I’ve gone on diabetes.org and YouTube as they have alternative recipes and good advice . It sucks but I’m getting through it and I’m sure you will too. We all will

It's really nothing you have done, it's a hormonal response from your placenta. Judgy people can do one!

This website has loads of great info - https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/ and also recipe suggestions, I find some of them are a bit hit and miss. I cannot deal with any of the artificial sweeteners without having bathroom issues, so watch out for that!

As people above, I am easily managing by cutting out all sugary/treat food, having minimal carbs (50g per meal, always wholemeal) and walking after meals. I ate reasonably healthily beforehand so it's not an awful diet, but I am finding it a bit samey and a faff. Eating out is harder due to hidden sugars in things you wouldn't expect.

The pairing info on the website is great and really works for me: so if you eat carbs (including sugar in fruit) you should match it with protein or fat. So peanut butter on apple, yoghurt with berries.

Good luck! It's a bit of a bore, but will all be worth it in the end.

Thanks all!! They called me up the next day and I do have GDM. So I've been trying to diet control now. Had some slightly high fasting readings so not sure if they'll end up putting me on metformin

Thank you! That website has helped me soooo much !! I feel very informed, been reading it since I saw my bloods before the phone call from the midwife !! I've been pairing constantly for every meal and snack. Just having issues with breakfast 😭 think I have it a bit too late and end up having the wrong things.