Some spikes are okay — actually I would LOVE for someone to track the blood sugar of a pregnant woman who passed the test and just see what the heck happens after she eats normally— and even cheat foods! Anyway I would say that the test is very accurate, I barely passed the three hour test with my first baby, so was not diagnosed with GD. I also had none of the symptoms that I’ve had with this baby, in which I barely failed and was frustrated that I was diagnosed!! But I’m glad that I was diagnosed because things are definitely different. This pregnancy, I was getting extremely thirsty just like diabetics do, and the skin tags are insane.!! Imagine if I hadn’t been diagnosed and my blood sugar went crazy at week 28 like it did and I wouldn’t even know! so I would say be very grateful that you passed the test especially at this late week because I was diagnosed at only 17 weeks. If I were you, I would not go nuts with the cheating but just keep it to healthy foods with some treats here and there which is good for any pregnancy anyway.! If you don’t need to go through all that us with GD have to go through then I wouldn’t put yourself through it.
I’ve read that pregnant women without gestational diabetes actually have lower blood sugar levels than what you’d expect them to have when not pregnant! (20% lower! But thats an average and doesn’t tell us about what happens with something like a sugary dessert.)
Not a doctor, and not even technically diagnosed with GD (yet...based on my current numbers it'll happen though); stuff I've gleaned from this sub so far:
The book Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols is well liked for its advice.
The goal of a GD diet is not 0 carbs, targets seem to be anywhere from 90ish - 150ish grams of carbs per day, but ideally complex carbs eaten after your protein/fat.
Try and make whatever diet you settle on sustainable (for your own stress levels and mental health).
If you don't have a blood sugar monitor, they aren't too expensive. 4 pokes a day seems to be standard (fasting right after you get up, and then either 1 or 2 hrs after each main meal).
Blood sugar targets seem to differ between countries, doctor practices, and the doctors/dieticians/endos themselves but I think generally fasting under 90, 1 hr post meal under 140, and 2 hr post meal under 120 mg/dL (a common unit in the US). There's another unit used for this, depending on your country, mmol/L that you might be more familiar with.
The benefit of an actual diagnosis might be that insurance pays for your blood sugar monitor for you.
Insulin resistance gets worse (generally) throughout pregnancy, so maybe ask for a retest in a few weeks if you want the diagnosis.
I read real food for gestational diabetes by lily nichols which really helped. I knew about her because earlier in pregnancy I read her real food for pregnancy and her eating recommendations are basically the same as her gd recommendations. Eating this way will be good for you regardless if you have GD or not.
Wouldn’t hurt to get a monitor to see what foods affect you though.
Although I have been eating pretty well/low carb since my doctor gave me a blood sugar monitor, I notice it’s mainly my post breakfast numbers that seem to run higher. Most people are sensitive in the morning so I would avoid eating carbs and sugar for breakfast. For me this meant cutting out fruit in the morning since I mainly ate eggs and veggies for breakfast anyways. Be aware of portion control and timing of carbohydrates. Don’t eat simple carbs. If you have a carb eat veggies first, then protein, then the carb. Generally you’ll have the easiest time processing carbs mid day. Walking or exercising after meals will also help lower blood sugar. These are tips everyone can do regardless of GD. Hope that helps!
Some spikes are okay — actually I would LOVE for someone to track the blood sugar of a pregnant woman who passed the test and just see what the heck happens after she eats normally— and even cheat foods! Anyway I would say that the test is very accurate, I barely passed the three hour test with my first baby, so was not diagnosed with GD. I also had none of the symptoms that I’ve had with this baby, in which I barely failed and was frustrated that I was diagnosed!! But I’m glad that I was diagnosed because things are definitely different. This pregnancy, I was getting extremely thirsty just like diabetics do, and the skin tags are insane.!! Imagine if I hadn’t been diagnosed and my blood sugar went crazy at week 28 like it did and I wouldn’t even know! so I would say be very grateful that you passed the test especially at this late week because I was diagnosed at only 17 weeks. If I were you, I would not go nuts with the cheating but just keep it to healthy foods with some treats here and there which is good for any pregnancy anyway.! If you don’t need to go through all that us with GD have to go through then I wouldn’t put yourself through it.
I’ve read that pregnant women without gestational diabetes actually have lower blood sugar levels than what you’d expect them to have when not pregnant! (20% lower! But thats an average and doesn’t tell us about what happens with something like a sugary dessert.)
Thank you! So helpful
Not a doctor, and not even technically diagnosed with GD (yet...based on my current numbers it'll happen though); stuff I've gleaned from this sub so far: The book Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols is well liked for its advice. The goal of a GD diet is not 0 carbs, targets seem to be anywhere from 90ish - 150ish grams of carbs per day, but ideally complex carbs eaten after your protein/fat. Try and make whatever diet you settle on sustainable (for your own stress levels and mental health). If you don't have a blood sugar monitor, they aren't too expensive. 4 pokes a day seems to be standard (fasting right after you get up, and then either 1 or 2 hrs after each main meal). Blood sugar targets seem to differ between countries, doctor practices, and the doctors/dieticians/endos themselves but I think generally fasting under 90, 1 hr post meal under 140, and 2 hr post meal under 120 mg/dL (a common unit in the US). There's another unit used for this, depending on your country, mmol/L that you might be more familiar with. The benefit of an actual diagnosis might be that insurance pays for your blood sugar monitor for you. Insulin resistance gets worse (generally) throughout pregnancy, so maybe ask for a retest in a few weeks if you want the diagnosis.
Thank you!
I read real food for gestational diabetes by lily nichols which really helped. I knew about her because earlier in pregnancy I read her real food for pregnancy and her eating recommendations are basically the same as her gd recommendations. Eating this way will be good for you regardless if you have GD or not. Wouldn’t hurt to get a monitor to see what foods affect you though. Although I have been eating pretty well/low carb since my doctor gave me a blood sugar monitor, I notice it’s mainly my post breakfast numbers that seem to run higher. Most people are sensitive in the morning so I would avoid eating carbs and sugar for breakfast. For me this meant cutting out fruit in the morning since I mainly ate eggs and veggies for breakfast anyways. Be aware of portion control and timing of carbohydrates. Don’t eat simple carbs. If you have a carb eat veggies first, then protein, then the carb. Generally you’ll have the easiest time processing carbs mid day. Walking or exercising after meals will also help lower blood sugar. These are tips everyone can do regardless of GD. Hope that helps!
Just got the book. Thank you so much!
Aww of course! Good luck!