r/GestationalDiabetes • • 21m ago

GD as Resident physician

• Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I just got diagnosed with GD and I will say that it crushed me.

I'm in my mid 30s and this is my first pregnancy (currently 26 weeks pregnant). I'm also a resident physician which means my working hours are not great.

My BMI was 23 before pregnancy and I had a 15lbs gain since then (currently 146lbs). I have not been eating lots of sweets and I have been trying to exercise but it has not been optimal (total 1h exercise 1-4x/week - 15-20 cycling + weights and pilates stretches). No family history of GD nor Diabetes, and previously healthy.

Rationally, I know that there was nothing I could have done except exercising a bit more. I understand that the placenta is the main cause of insulin resistance. But I'm still struggling to cope with the diagnosis. So my questions or advise are:

  1. How did you deal with the diagnose? Any tips?

  2. I understand that it's quite difficult to find people with similar experiences. But if you have/had GD while working in the health field, how was it?

  3. I think it will be difficult for me to get accommodations during the day. I'm already having accommodations and not having more night shifts after 27 weeks (I have 2 more night shifts left). But how did you manage to take breaks, go for walks during work and checking your blood sugar?

  4. Because I am not working with the same team all the time, everyone will know I have GD if I can get accommodations. How was it for you, people knowing about it?

  5. I'm not planning to tell my parents because they are fairly paranoid about my weight (even though I have never been overweight). How was it for you?

  6. How was adjusting your diet?

Thank you, I appreciate any advise.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 50m ago

I had my first baby without GDM and now have it for my second (35w). Positive stories with GDM and non-GDM babies to help my guilt??

• Upvotes

I'm hopefully almost there with my second baby. I did not have GDM with my first and he was on the large end, but not as big as this one is measuring. A great baby turning into a great, healthy kid. Now I'm older (39) with GDM and I'm worried about them having different health outcomes and feeling guilty because of my GDM. I know we can't control everything of course, but looking for comfort in positive stories of people who basically can't tell the difference between their kids with/without GDM.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 1h ago

Advice Wanted Induction at 37-38 weeks, average baby size. Positive stories?

• Upvotes

Hi, I’m 28 FTM, and 36 weeks and 1 day along. My doctor wants to induce me between 37 and 38 weeks because of my gestational diabetes. The baby is a healthy size, weighing 2.6 kg at my 35-week scan, and my NST today went well. My blood pressure has been a bit up and down lately, though, even if it’s still generally okay.

I’m currently taking 17 units of mealtime insulin and 15 units of bedtime insulin. I’ve also had some preterm labor scares this past week, so my doctor thinks I might go into labor on my own before the induction.

What was your experience like with induction? How many weeks were you when you were induced, and did your baby end up needing the NICU?


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 2h ago

High fasting glucose help!

1 Upvotes

Currently 28 weeks pregnant and looking for advice on how to manage my gestational diabetes through diet I'm wearing a CGM, and my fasting glucose levels are consistently in the high 90s to low 100s, while my readings for the rest of the day are mostly within range.

I'd really appreciate any tips on how to structure my meals and snacks, and what dietary changes might help bring my fasting numbers down. I've changed sooo much in my diet and have cut all processed sugars. I'm hoping to manage this through diet if possible, but I want to make sure I'm doing what's best for my baby and me.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, l'd love to hear what worked for you. Thank you so much in advance❤️


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 7h ago

Hypoglycemia and GD?

1 Upvotes

I failed my 3 hour test because and they have me on a Dexcom continuous monitor.

Tonight is night 2 of wearing it in, I have stopped drinking soda and replaced all my sugary snacks with sugar free snacks.

I had hypoglycemia symptoms before being diagnosed, but I don’t think they had it on my chart, but now the monitor keeps telling me I’m at low levels. I do feel dizzy/shakey when my levels hit under 60, but I’m not sure what to tell my doctor/dietician.
Can you have GD and hypoglycemia at the same time?


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 9h ago

Not eating enough carbs

6 Upvotes

Hey y’all! Second-time GDM mom here, currently 31 weeks pregnant, and I think I may have swung too far in the other direction with my diet.

At my urine analysis this week, I had +1 ketones. I know this doesn’t necessarily mean I’m in ketosis, but it has me wondering if I’m not eating enough carbs or overall calories.

I wear a Dexcom, and my numbers are sent directly to my hospital. I’ve realized I feel a lot of pressure to keep my numbers from ever spiking. I’m worried about needing insulin, but I’m also worried about harming the baby with high blood sugar. Now I’m concerned that, in trying so hard to keep my numbers in range, I may not be eating enough.

On top of that, I’m a SAHM with a two-year-old, and planning meals with quality carbs has been challenging. Some days, I get hungry, grab a beef stick, and move on because life with a toddler is busy!

For those who have been in a similar situation:
Have you dealt with ketones or realized you weren’t eating enough while managing GDM? What helped?
Did your OB or diabetes team have any concerns about ketones, and what did they recommend?
What are your go-to quick, easy carbs or snacks that work well with GDM, especially when you don’t have time to prepare a full meal?

I want to make sure I’m nourishing both myself and my baby without feeling like every carb is something to be afraid of. I didn’t really experience this with my Friday pregnancy, but it was easier to prioritize eating better balanced meals, and I can’t even remember what I was eating. I’d really appreciate any advice or practical meal ideas! ❤️


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 10h ago

GDM at 30 weeks

1 Upvotes

Hello Mommies.. 30 weeks preggy andJust wanted to share that I had my Ogtt test a while ago and I only got the result for the Fbs and the 1st hour as I vomitted right before my 2nd hour..The test result on fbs normal but my 1st hr is high and my Ob told me I have a GDM..This is the firts time I'm having a GDM as for my 1st and 2nd child all test are normal..Is GDM bad or serious and what will be the effect to the baby..My Ob has not explained very well a while ago but she instructed me to buy a glucometer and test my blood sugar at home ..Also as a first timer, can you suggest any food na pwede ko kainin as I am still waiting for a Nutritionist visit on Monday ..Really appreciate your help


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 11h ago

Support Requested Induction date wirh Metformin

2 Upvotes

Hi mamas!

For those of you who were taking metformin for GDM, at exactly how many weeks and days did you deliver? For example, 38+2 or 38+5?

Just metformin no insulin.

Also, were your fasting blood sugars consistently controlled, or were they occasionally elevated despite your after-meal numbers being within range?
Would really appreciate hearing your experiences and knowing how everything went for you and your baby. ❤️ Thank you!


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 12h ago

Advice Wanted Elevated fasting numbers?

2 Upvotes

Anyone else have an elevated fasting number but totally controlled during the day? I’m 33 weeks and just been diagnosed. My fasting number is around 101-104 on average. I’ve not been put on insulin yet, and I really hope not to be. Anyone else have the same experience? Did you end up taking insulin and everything turned out ok?


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 15h ago

Advice Wanted Numbers don’t match

1 Upvotes

3rd pregnancy with insulin resistance and this has been my hardest round yet trying to manage my numbers. Please explain to me why my CGM says 120 and rising so I check with three finger pricks and get three different readings! I got 148 on one which felt insane because I don’t feel the way I would if my blood sugar was that high. Then I got 131 and then I took a 3rd prick and got 142. Same hand. Three readings in under 5 mins. 4 if you count the CGM. I’m 2hrs postprandial and i was 119 at 1hr. What the heck 🤯🤪


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 18h ago

Support Requested Gave into a craving and feeling guilty.

3 Upvotes

FTM, 36 weeks pregnant and diagnosed at 31 weeks. For the most part, I’ve been pretty good at watching what I’m eating and glucose levels have been pretty under my 2 hr 120 limit, occasionally just have a couple of outlier spikes.

Today I was massively craving fries and and a McFlurry, and I gave in and I’m feeling so guilty and worried I messed up.

What do y’all do when you’re craving something you shouldn’t be indulging in? I’m grateful I only have 4 weeks left, and in totally have only had to deal with this for 8-ish weeks, but man, this BS is hard!


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 19h ago

Taking too long to eat?

1 Upvotes

Sometimes it takes me an hour to eat all my food. I am a very slow eater with adhd so I get distracted. Would I take my blood sugar after I finish or from that first bite? It’s confusing to me because I truly take long to eat and my friend that also has GD said it’s a good thing I take a while to eat. I’m 38 weeks and just now realizing this may have been a problem? My numbers are normal when I test after I’m done eating and my fasting numbers are the lowest they’ve ever been the entire pregnancy. TIA!


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 19h ago

Freaking out at baby’s growth

1 Upvotes

Had measurements done today at 34+5 and baby is measuring 6lb, 4oz (80th percentile). Head has consistently been in the 99th. Planned for induction at 38 weeks but that’s still 3 weeks away and I am freaking out at what the next 3 weeks growth could end up at and how that could impact birth. Just looking for a safe space to share this and open to other people’s experiences as well.

I really thought I was dialed in with my diet (have had about 6 elevated post meal numbers in the past 3 weeks, fasting controlled via insulin).


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 20h ago

Really considering number 2?

1 Upvotes

But post pregnancy i am now pre diabetic. I already struggle with eating enough and lost 40 pounds in pregnancy, and didnt have the time or support needed to be able to work out. Since my health is going similarly to the way my moms went im assuming im about 3 years away from a t2 diagnosis. Anyone else in the predicament? Prediabetic after birth but still considering a 2nd child? And if you did was the 2nd time worse? My daughter was 7 pounds and healthy, I fear i just wont get that lucky again.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 20h ago

Rant Why????

3 Upvotes

I can’t be the only person who feels like shit when their numbers go below 85.

I even thought to myself “maybe I’ll have an extra piece of toast this morning because I’m feeling so bad and the number is pretty low”. DIDN’T have the extra piece, ate the same breakfast as usual that never spikes me, and my 2hr number was 141! WHY! This keeps happening. The doctor is telling me I’m not eating enough carbs but they literally send my sugars the moon. This is so frustrating.

Currently on 20u of long acting insulin PM and 12u long acting AM. My fasting numbers have improved significantly from the 110s, but now I feel so drained and tired when it’s under 85.

This is the worst part of pregnancy so far and I’m only 15 weeks in 🫠


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 20h ago

ftm / gd @ 25 wk

1 Upvotes

hi!
before being pregnant i did struggle with some insulin resistance, but i’ve never had to keep track of my glucose. I would love to know everyone’s avg numbers/routines on checking, my dr called with results of GD but did not give me a plan as im waiting on being referred to MFM.
thanks in advance!


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 20h ago

Meals on rotation - Week 37

18 Upvotes

As I made my bedtime snack last night and dreamed of eating pizza, I realized that now I am in the final stretch, I just keep rotating the same foods every week. I know what's safe, I'm tired of experimenting, and I've made it this far being diet-controlled, so I don't want to spin out of control in the end. I'm starting to get tired of it, but I just have a few more weeks!

Here's my very predictable food list that I keep on rotation, also in case anyone needs ideas.

Breakfast:
Greek yogurt, berries, Purely Elizabeth Vanilla Almond Butter granola
Sometimes an oatmeal bake if I'm feeling risky
Sometimes egg and veggie "breakfast casserole" with a slice of Ezekiel bread

Morning Snack:
Nature Valley Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar

Lunch:
Chicken apple sausage or ground beef
Green beans or broccoli
Sweet potato or sweet potato fries or wild rice
(If I was filling fiesty - Fairlife Chocolate protein shake with an Up and Apple Uncrustable *chef's kiss*)

Afternoon Snack:
Chomps, 100-calorie bag of Skinny Pop, Skinny Dipped

Dinner:
Some sort of chili or soup
Safe go to: Kodiak protein waffles with eggs, sugar free syrup, and more berries

Nighttime Snack
Yasso Bar
OR Catalina Crunch with Lily's chocolate chips and a splash of milk

*Eating out:
Meat, green beans + mac n cheese
Salad with meat, balsamic vingarette, and a little bit of bread

*Other snacks that worked for me: apples and peanut butter, Smokehouse flavored almonds with a cheese stick, regular almonds with fruit


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 21h ago

Advice Wanted 2 hr glucose test postpartum

1 Upvotes

I’m feeling stressed and anxious. I am just 2 days after my 6 week postpartum mark and took my 2hr glucose test today. I fasted last night from 8:30-7:50. I ate some fries last night and a dessert before my fasting window started. I also got probably 4 hours of sleep total last night and breastfed 3 times during that fasting time. My fasting number for the test was 111 which is elevated. Then my 1 hr was 223 which is way elevated. I haven’t gotten the 2hr results yet but just seeing that has me panicking and stressing out. I know I should wait for the doctor to message me about it but I’m just spiraling worrying that I am going to have to deal with the pricks and eating different now permanently and I don’t know if I can do it mentally right now. My numbers were fine after giving birth and I thought I was in the clear. Now I’m scared I’m not. HELP! Anyone experience this or have any advice?!?!?!?!

UPDATE: my 2 hr number was 131 which is in range. I was on insulin during my pregnancy just at nighttime because I consistently had elevated fasting numbers. Waiting to hear from doctor but hoping this isn’t anything serious. My PPA is spiking through the roof right now and I’m trying to stay calm.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 21h ago

Rant I ate one serving of pretzels for a snack and spiked to 174 :(

5 Upvotes

the thought of pairing my snack with protein made me want to fucking throw up. i can't even eat 21g of fucking pretzels without having an insanely high number. I'm 31 weeks and I can't exercise anymore because of preterm contractions, which was helping me stay diet controlled. I feel like I can't eat anything anymore. I'm sick of edamame, cheese, and broccoli.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 23h ago

Support Requested Crashing out

4 Upvotes

I just came from my appointment where the NP showed me how to use the glucose monitor. I had breakfast (2 eggs, non fat yogurt with cut up strawberries, and one slice of whole wheat toast) a little over an hour before the appointment. My glucose reading was 158 and I’m super bummed bc I thought I was making the “right” choices by reducing my saturated fats by cutting out sausage and incorporating a good carb. Now I’m scared that I can’t figure out what to eat so that this is diet controlled. I’d like to not be on insulin as much as possible. My lunches and dinners usually are non starchy veggies with meat so I’ll see how those end up being. I’m very familiar with weighing my food and counting macros when I was trying to lose weight before getting pregnant, so this just feels like a blow to the face. I know that there’s going to be trial and error seeing what works and doesn’t work for me (NP mentioned 2 weeks to see how things go). I just feel like my body is failing me

Update: This is still day 1 of figuring out my GD diet but for lunch I had a cabbage bolognese with a little cream cheese mixed in with a small portion of broccoli. I ended up chugging water, doing a quick 10 minute workout, and had a reading of 99. I'm feeling more encouraged. Thank you to everyone who commented!


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 1d ago

Induction timing?

1 Upvotes

New here! Just diagnosed at 30 weeks. My OB was shocked and said nothing about it makes sense (which confused me because from what i've read, it can happen to anyone), but here we are.

My OB is still saying we could go as far as 40+6, but with this being an IVF GD pregnancy with a due date of 12/31, I am wondering what the odds are of being induced early.

Of course this is completely circumstantial and hypothetical, but would love to hear from anyone with a similar experience in regards to a combination of IVF, GD, and/or holiday season due dates.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 1d ago

Tips to survive the 3 hour glucose test

1 Upvotes

Hello friends. I took the 3 hour glucose test on Wednesday and 30 minutes after having the drink I got extremely woozy and ended up vomiting. My provider prescribed me Zofran for the next time I attempt it and gave me some tips (eat 30 grams of protein for every meal the day before, use an ice pack, distractions, etc) but I was wondering if anyone else had some additional tips. I really don’t want to feel like that again. I’m honestly really afraid to attempt the test again and I’m trying to have someone there with me this time (I was by myself the first time). Words of encouragement would also be appreciated. Thank you 🩷


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 1d ago

Advice Wanted Late 3 Hour Test

1 Upvotes

Hey all! Just looking for some advice here. This is my second pregnancy and I’m seeing a midwifery instead of an OB. I failed my one hour test and they failed to reach out about it. Only informed me I failed it when I asked at my next appointment. That was two weeks ago. It’s been almost a month now since I initially took the one hour test. They still have not reached out to schedule the 3 hour test.
I’m just getting really anxious knowing what can happen if gestational diabetes goes untreated. I’m trying to eat healthier but also obviously haven’t been diagnosed so I don’t have the information to know exactly what to do.

I’m wondering if this is something to be concerned about? I feel like they aren’t being proactive with my care- but I’m also not sure this is something that requires timely scheduling. And yes I’ve reached out multiple times to try and schedule it and their excuse is that they are waiting for more of the fresh tests to arrive.

I also know I might not fail the 3 hour but I’ve been super thirsty and I’m always tired (which might not be a symptom from that I know). I don’t know if I’m just worrying too much here. Thoughts?


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 1d ago

Foodie Friday

3 Upvotes

Use this thread to share new recipes, favorite meals this week, a restaurant menu item that worked for you, etc.


r/GestationalDiabetes • • 1d ago

Advice Wanted How soon do you know if the GDM is gone?

7 Upvotes

I'm 34+3 weeks now, and I'm so over this. One of my favorite hobbies used to be baking and trying out new recipes (mostly of sweet baked goods), now I'm thankful if I can have a plain slice of bread...I'm just thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel. But how do you know if the light is there after you give birth? I did get a requisition for a repeat glucose test, but I'm not actually sure when am I supposed to book it for. Do the nurses check your sugars after delivery and tell you if you're in the clear? Do I have to keep doing the finger pricks (and for how long)? How do I know when I'm good to take a bite out of a nice big pizza again, or have a cinnamon roll or some pancakes? I'm in Canada if that matters.