Diabetes and Diet

I went for my 1 hour glucose test at 28 weeks pregnant. I was told not to fast and to eat normally but for some reason that morning decided to have captain crunch with strawberries cut up.

Anyway I took my 1 hour test and I was told it was high. The next day I fasted and took the 3 hour test. I got a call the next day that 1 result of the 4 was high and that I need to see a dietitian to manage my diabetes. And that I would have to start checking my blood sugar everyday with a monitor.

I was really confused because I have read in every pregnancy book and online that you have to have 2 results be high to be classified as Gestational Diabetes.

I have been feeling great the whole pregnancy and only gained 18 pounds so far. I go for a 20-30 minute walk everyday and have been eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Do I have it or are they just trying to be cautious?? I feel like going to the dietitian and checking my blood everyday is going to be a waste of my time. What is your opinion?
the first result was 111, the second result was 171 and the 3rd test was normal (I cannot remember what it was)

Hi, I just attended a lecture on Gestational Diabetes (GDM) and I received the same information as you. Here is what I understand the process to be:

You began with a "50-gram screening test", which is what you called your "one hour test." A positive screen requires100-gram, 3 hour diagnostic testing.

The "100-gram diagnostic test" actually requires a 3 day unrestricted carbohydrate diet before performing the test and fast the day of the test I believe; any 2 abnormal values confirm diagnosis of GDM.

So I agree with you that normally 1 high blood glucose level would not be diagnostic for GDM. Did they tell you what your values were?

My guess is that you are right, they are probably just being cautious. Do you have a familily history of type 2 diabetes? If so that my be the reason for the caution because that puts you in the "high risk" category for GDM.

Here is what the gist dietitian will counsel you on:
–Diet therapy
• Portion control
• Diet logs
• Schedule of frequent meals & snacks
• Carbohydrates as 35% of daily caloric intake
–Exercise recommendations
• Walk 20-30 minutes daily
• Walk 10 minutes after each meal
–Checking your blood sugar AKA Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)
• Check fasting (in the mornings before breakfast)
• Check 1 hour post prandial (after meals)
–Urine ketone monitoring

If you don’t meet your blood sugar level goals which will probably be:
•Fasting blood sugar of 60-90
•1-hour after meals blood sugar less than 120
You will be initiated on Glyburide or insulin therapy depending on how high your values are. Both are proven safe and effective in pregnancy. If your doctors decide to use Metformin instead of Glyburide that’s okay too, there’s just not as much literature studying the use of Metformin in pregnant women.

Anyways, I’m curious to know what were your blood glucose values were. Maybe that one that was high was just really high? Good luck to you!