Hi,
I had Gestational diabetes twice, in UK and in Netherlands and have poor experiences in both countries for different (and opposite)reasons- in the UK for over-intervention and the Netherlands for under-intervention.
My advice would be to really control your diet but buy a good book such as the original Low GI diet one (can't remember author but has all the research in and some recipes) and monitor your blood more so you can see exactly what triggers you-and also multiple finger pricks if you get an unexpected result as the instruments can sometimes give odd readings/poor repeatability.
The NHS dietary advice I received was basic and poor- Weetabix was listed as good choice but triggered high blood glucose. Reading the low GI book it was actually specifically mentioned to trigger highs! The nutrionist even asked me if she could borrow the book..
The advice to eat bacon and eggs in one of the messages isnt good if taken to extreme as a way of controlling -you can make yourself ill, you are better looking for a much lower GI carb to have with it at least.
Despite keeping my blood sugar under the target I was given, I was put on insulin in the UK without any real discussion which then triggered a whole catalogue of events - which I blame for the terrible birth I had- the baby got stuck in my pelvis and was born with a paralysed shoulder and I had a haemorrage. It wasnt the insulin per se I had issues with , but the fact that once on insulin it triggered massive intervention w.r.t. giving birth. The obstetrician afterwards said any future children I had would have to be C sections.
The second birth, 4 yrs ago, in Netherlands was preceded by long discussions as to whether I had GD or not- because the lucozade test isn't done here , but a less 'stressful' test which said I didn't have GD. I monitored by blood sugar anyway and lo and behold I did have high blood sugars so I controlled strictly by diet and the medical profession basically let me get on with it. I had no 2 at 42 weeks non induced, naturally after saying
I didn t want a c -section, but had an ostetrician on stand-by, the midwife actually asked me when my son was born 'Do you have GD?' I replied the Obstetrician thinks not but I think I do so they took my word for it and tested the bay- who had very low blood sugar as a consequence- not good either.luckily he was OK after treatment.
Although its a pain to get GD , be greatful of the test . It wasnt perfect either time for me, and very confusing when 2 medical professions totally disagree as to how to define GD! I am a research biochemist working in the food industry, with type 1 and 2 diabetes in the family - so if I find it confusing it must mean something is lacking in general with understanding and 'treatment' of GD.
In summary I felt the best approach would have been very good nutritional advice, good self monitoring, and the slightly more interventionist UK approach of at least the test and awareness of issues but with the NL ability to have a dialogue with medical staff in decision making . Alas I dont think there is a perfect way of dealing with it- as with diabetes everyone responds physically differently,you can only do your best and be at least aware of the issues and consequences.
Not sure this helps but ood luck!