Any gestational diabetes experts?

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

I am being tested for GD at 35w using the 5 day finger pricks - 4 tests a day. I had the fasting bloods test at 28w which said I didn’t have GD but baby was measuring big so they wanted to test again. I’ve just had a reading of 7.9 (meant to be below 7.8) an hour after eating.

My question is how many readings of above 7.8 before they say I have GD? Is one enough? I have tried googling but not getting anything back to answer the question.

They will probably review the range rather than just diagnose off one reading. Are you keeping a food diary as well? If it is a bit over and you've just had a roast dinner with Yorkshire puddings, gravy , carrots and parsnips, then that is less concerning than if it is over after a meal of chicken salad with a teaspoon of brown rice.

I don’t know the answer personally, I am sorry. However I do believe the test becomes more inaccurate in late pregnancy? I’m sure I’ve read that somewhere.

There is a brilliant podcast called the midwives cauldron that goes into gestational diabetes in great depth. perhaps have a listen and it will give you so much information about blood sugar levels etc and what that means . It might also generate some really good questions to take to your medical provider also x

I’d had crumpets and cheese for lunch. I’ve only been doing the tests since Friday evening and my other readings after food were 6.3/6.4 ish.

Apparently the 5 day test is better in later pregnancy I was told.

I need to know if I have it as DS is measuring 39w in spite of being 35w. It changes my options for how to proceed with induction/section.

I’ll have a look at that podcast!

I don't know about the initial testing but they normally look for 3 or more higher readings before reviewing medication so I would have thought it would be similar. Especially as you're not that much higher also

Thank you. I’ve got until Wednesday anyway to keep testing but just trying to prepare myself.

If you're on Facebook, join the Gestational Diabetes UK group, they are amazing. They also have a website.

Are you in touch with the diabetes midwives you could discuss this with? I'm on my second GD pregnancy but tested positive on GTT so no experience with just finger prick testing for diagnosis, I have to do that anyway.

Agree with PP. That Facebook and website is fantastic!

I was diagnosed with 3 "overs" across a week, iirc one was 8.7 and the others were 7.9. They said over is over, doesn't matter by how much.

Once I started treatment (was on insulin for about 5 weeks) and adopted the diet suggested by the Gestational diabetes UK group I recognised how poorly the GD had actually been making me feel. I'd just put it down to pregnancy in general.

Just curious. Why can't they test via blood? I'm due to have the glucose text at 28w but really don't want to have to sit around for hours

When I had that test, I had to fast before (around 8-9 hours) and then had a blood test. They gave me a sugary drink and I waited 2 hours before another blood test. It was boring but they needed to see how my body coped with the glucose.

Ok. So I might be ok with just one ‘over’. Obviously, I have several days left so might go over again.