Fasting Blood Sugars and Gestational Diabetes

[Anonymous]

I was recently diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes this past week. MY OB referred me to a nutritionist for a consult in hopes that I could be diet controlled. I did not have this problem with my first pregnancy and I delivered a 7 pound 8 ounce baby at 38+ weeks. I have been following the diet strictly and my sugars have all been good with the exception of my fasting sugars. The range they gave me for fasting sugars is 60-90 and mine are consistently between 92-95 every morning. Anyone have experience with this and suggestions of what you did to get them under control or how worried I should be? I have put a phone call into my nutritionist and I see my OB on Thursday. I really don't want to have to go on medication if possible.

[Anonymous]

I have no tips on your specific question... but wanted to say this:

While gestational diabetes can be a very dangerous thing (if not controlled), and is certainly nothing to sneer at... it is also (according to some medical professionals) WIDELY over-diagnosed.

If you're "borderline"... and really don't want to go on the medication... you might want to seek a second opinion.

Many of the glucose tests OB offices routinely use can produce very skewed and unreliable results.

[Anonymous]

I am a Type 1 Diabetic (12 years) and a difference from 90 to 95 is very small and should not impact your baby. Don't worry too much. Sounds like you are doing a great job. Morning sugars are frequently a bit higher. Just delay your breakfast a little bit, try keeping your morning carb intake low or getting in a quick little walk.

[Anonymous]

The limits that they gave me for fasting AM blood sugars was that they wanted it below 95. If it's consistently 92-95, I wouldn't worry too much. Also, the nutritionist told me that it's an old wives' tale, but for some reason it seems to hold true: if your fasting blood sugars are high, have a half a sandwich for your bedtime snack. She said she doesn't know why it works, but it really does seem to. A slice of bread folded with meat in the middle (your carb and your protein) hopefully will do the trick for you!

Best of luck to you!