gestational diabetes - but getting normal results

[ladycarlotta]

Hi,
I am 31 weeks and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. For the glucose tolerance test my fasting blood glucose reading was 4.4mmol and the second was 8.3 (they wanted 7.8 or under).

I've been doing my bloods 4 times a day since then and go between 4.1 and 7mmol - never exceeding 7. So it all looks entirely normal.

I'm confused re whether I have GD or not! If I do it's clearly controlled by my normal diet. I'll have a growth scan at the end of the month but I am concerned as to what a diagnosis of gestational diabetes means for my options to deliver. My last baby was C-section and I was really hoping to have a VBAC this time round but I can see that they're likely to want to do a lot of monitoring if I am in labour - plus a hormonal induction is off the table because of my C-section scar.

I guess I'm just asking for experiences of this. If you were able to show that your GD was well controlled, did you have the option for a more hands-off labour? My ideal would be in a midwife led unit (there is one inside my local hospital so no need to travel in case of emergency) but I don't know if that's possible now. Last baby was 6lb 4oz and my fundal height so far with this pregnancy never exceeds the 50th percentile so I don't think I have a particularly large baby or a gigantic excess of waters in there either.

Hi, I got diagnosed with GD. At first my results were really hard to bring down, with diet but now it's like I don't even have it. I can't even make them go high now which is worrying (I'm 35 weeks) and just eat what I like. I'm going to speak to my consultant on Thurs.

However as I've been diagnosed I have to give birth in a hospital and still have to have continuous monitoring during labour just incase. But apart from that, my consultant said as long as it's well controlled I can have a water birth, just in hospital.

I'm also convinced the machine is just faulty 🤣

i had similar because I was controlling my foods. My GD was controlled exclusively by diet

eat a sandwich for lunch today and a chocolate bar /ice cream or similar then don’t go for a walk and see what your reading is an hour later. It will likely be over 7

If you haven't already then join the VBAC Facebook group - think it's called 'VBAC Support Group UK', so many positive GD VBAC stories on there! I'm 36 weeks, no GD but wanting a VBAC like yourself so I'm on there everyday reading the stories 😂

I have been told that fasting levels should be under 5mmol/L and 2 hours after eating under 6mmol/L so although my results have always been in ‘normal range’ they have been higher than is ideal for a pregnant person. Studies show tight glycaemic control have better outcomes for less interventions at birth. I am no in the UK and interestingly different countries seem to have very different approaches!