Gestational diabetes - help needed

[Chnima]

I was diagnosed as having gestational diabetes at 28 weeks and I am currently 32 weeks pregnant. My fasting sugar levels varies between 5.2 and 5.7, but my levels after break fast are very high usually between 8.2 and 10.7.. I'm really worried. My usual breakfast consists 2 slices of whole grain bread and a full boiled egg . Not sure what I'm doing wrong and it's really worrying me. Today for the first time my levels after lunch was 10.5 and is usually between 6.5 and 7.7 but today my sugar levels after lunch is 10.5! I'm really worried any help will be appreciated. Currently on 4 units of rapid acting insulin before breakfast

 

[Butterball Ma]

What do you usually eat for lunch? Maybe add more protein or take out some carbs? I can tell you that for me, about every 4 wks, I had to up my treatment. The first 4 weeks, I controlled thru diet. Then my numbers went wonky, so I added 500 mg metformin twice daily. Then they went up again after another 4 wks, so I'm at 1000 mg metformin twice daily. Also, one thing that does help me after lunch, is a good 15-20 min walk. If none of those help, you'll hafta call your practitioner. I hate how much it fluctuates

 

[Thyite]

You probably need more insulin, can you increase it to 6 units?

 

[mhk425]

A lot of people need a 1:1 ratio of carbs and protein. Maybe add some cheese? Also, bread is a trigger for some people, so 2 slices might be too much. It is definitely SO frustrating! I'm being induced in a week and could not be happier to be done with GD.

 

[Chnima]

Thank you for your replies Butterball Ma, Thyite, mhk425. I called my diabetes educator and she has increased my insulin to 8 units before breakfast and 4 units before lunch. I had a mug of rolled oats porridge with a handful of blue berries, 1 whole boiled egg plus the white of another egg. Yesterday my levels were 7.8 and today it's 8.4 on the same diet, but the only difference being that I went for a 10 minute walk yesterday and skipped the walk today. Do you think that could have made the difference ?

 

[Chnima]

Also please can ul let me know if my levels are very high?

 

[Thyite]

Avoid fruits and rolled oats for breakfast, in the mornings is insulin resistance strongest.Walking does miracles after meals, but be careful because your BS could drop too low.Those numbers aren't that high, but it would be better if you could keep them below 7 (that's impossible for me, my BS levels are going crazy whatever I do ).

 

[Chnima]

I'm having the same problem not sure what I'm doing wrong! I just had my lunch which was 3 slices of 9 grain bread, some lamb , half a cucumber and half a carrot and my sugar level was 9.0! I even went for a 25 minute walk! Also every finger shows a different value when I test at the same time !

 

[Butterball Ma]

I'm having the same problem not sure what I'm doing wrong! I just had my lunch which was 3 slices of 9 grain bread, some lamb , half a cucumber and half a carrot and my sugar level was 9.0! I even went for a 25 minute walk! Also every finger shows a different value when I test at the same time !

It's probably the 3rd slice of bread? Some days I can have 45 g of carbs for lunch, but some times it ends up being too much. Maybe try skipping a slice of bread and adding cheese. I like to buy string cheese, because it's already in 1 oz serving sizes. Try washing your hands before you test, that should help with the different readings. As for everyone's readings, I'm in the US so our measurements are different. My fasting numbers should be under 90 and one hour after meals are supposed to be 120.

 

[Kyten1978]

Also some carbs can react differently with different people. I have found that I can't touch bread of any type because my BS rockets up, but I can eat pasta, and rice fine as long as I keep proper carb count. Also breakfast is the hardest meal of the day because your insulin resistance is usually higher in the morning.

 

[AmeliePoulain]

Bread was a massive no go for me. I could have one tiny slice of soya and linseed with maybe 3 eggs and some cheese!?

My GD managed to be diet controlled though, bread was just awful for me x

 

[Chnima]

My diabetes educator has now put me on 4 units of slow acting insulin at bed time .. I had one slice of toast with an omelette stuffed with chorizo, peppers broccoli And cheese and my level was 6.1 .. But now she says that my carb intake is too low and I need to increase it but if increase my carbs the bsl will increase .. I don't understand what I need to do!

 

[AmeliePoulain]

Can you see how you go on low carbs and have ketone sticks to monitor that and just make sure you aren't going hungry?

 

[Chnima]

I live in Sydney and asked my diabetes educator about testing for ketones and she said that it was not necessary .. She also said that I Hv to have a minimum of 2 carbs for every main meal

 

[AmeliePoulain]

It is a case of finding what works for you though. I ate very little in the way of carbs but never had ketones and I gained enough weight in my pregnancy.

I am in the UK and I bought my own ketone testing strips as they don't routinely test here except every few weeks at MW appointments.

 

[Chnima]

It is a case of finding what works for you though. I ate very little in the way of carbs but never had ketones and I gained enough weight in my pregnancy.

I am in the UK and I bought my own ketone testing strips as they don't routinely test here except every few weeks at MW appointments.

Thanks Amelie .. This GD is just driving me crazy.

 

[Chnima]

I took 4 units of slow acting insulin last night just after having a scoop of gelato @ 11 pm. I also had some cheese and almonds at 5 am. And when u tested for fasting sugars at 7:15 am my levels 6.4 mmol/l (115 mg/dl) which is the highest fasting sugar reading I've ever had this far. Do you think that the snack might have affected my levels ?

 

[chathamlady]

Your fasting should be at least 8 hours with no food so if you had a snack at 5am and tested at 7:15 thats not long enough i have cheese and crackers at 10pm and take my insulin after my snack i test at 7:30 am and usually have a bs around 4.9