The GCT and Gestational Diabetes?!


Question: I am 21 wks pregnant and had to go take the Glucose Tolerance Test yesterday due to advanced maternal age, history of GD and preeclampsia/premature birth. (I was supposed to take it at 16 wks, but somebody dropped the ball). I decided to take my glucose meter with me and check my sugar levels along the way. I didn't eat breakfast. I checked my blood sugar before the nurse gave me the yuck-o 50 grams of glucola to drink and it was 98. Twenty minutes after she made me drink it, it was 176. Another twenty minutes later, and it was 146. Right before she came back to get me at the end of the hour it was 124. I was confident, b/c she had told me the highest level to pass it was 135. She came and got me, and the needle she was going to take the blood with looked like a chopstick it was so big, so I asked her to use a butterfly needle. She pulled the blood, and I checked my sugar levels and it was back up to 146. I was floored. I checked again in the car and it was 155. (continued)


Answers: I am 21 wks pregnant and had to go take the Glucose Tolerance Test yesterday due to advanced maternal age, history of GD and preeclampsia/premature birth. (I was supposed to take it at 16 wks, but somebody dropped the ball). I decided to take my glucose meter with me and check my sugar levels along the way. I didn't eat breakfast. I checked my blood sugar before the nurse gave me the yuck-o 50 grams of glucola to drink and it was 98. Twenty minutes after she made me drink it, it was 176. Another twenty minutes later, and it was 146. Right before she came back to get me at the end of the hour it was 124. I was confident, b/c she had told me the highest level to pass it was 135. She came and got me, and the needle she was going to take the blood with looked like a chopstick it was so big, so I asked her to use a butterfly needle. She pulled the blood, and I checked my sugar levels and it was back up to 146. I was floored. I checked again in the car and it was 155. (continued)

Mom to Hayleigh, - Between 2 and 5 percent of expectant mothers develop gestational diabetes, making it one of the most common health problems during pregnancy. And because the condition rarely causes any symptoms, testing is the only way to find out if you have it. These days, most women who develop diabetes during pregnancy go on to have healthy babies. Your practitioner will monitor you closely and you'll most likely be able to keep your blood sugar levels under control with diet and exercise, and by getting insulin shots if you need them. But poorly controlled diabetes can have serious consequences for you and your baby. One way to keep your blood sugar levels under control is to follow a specific meal plan. You would be strongly recommend you see a registered dietician who can create a diet particularly suited for you, based on your weight, height, physical activity, and the needs of your growing baby, as well as your level of glucose intolerance. The dietician will also take into account your personal food preferences. Be aware that if dietary changes aren't sufficient to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range, you'll need to take insulin as well. If your practitioner prescribes insulin shots, you'll need to meet again with your dietician to reassess your diet. Eat a variety of foods, distributing calories and carbohydrates evenly throughout the day. Make sure both your meals and your snacks are balanced. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat three small-to-moderate-sized meals and two to four snacks every day, including an after-dinner snack. Although your meal plan may contain fewer carbohydrates than you normally eat, complex carbohydrates should continue to provide most of your calories. Don't skip meals. Be consistent about when you eat them and the amount of food you eat at each one. Your blood sugar will remain more stable if your food is distributed evenly throughout the day and consistently from day to day. Eat a good breakfast. Your blood glucose levels are most likely to be out of whack in the morning. To keep your level in a healthy range, you may have to limit carbohydrates (breads, cereal, fruit, and milk), boost your protein intake, and possibly avoid fruit and juice altogether. Include high-fibre foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and dried peas, beans, and legumes. These foods are broken down and absorbed more slowly than simple carbohydrates, which may help keep your blood sugar levels from going too high after meals. Limit your intake of foods and beverages that contain simple sugars such as soda, fruit juice, flavoured teas, and most desserts



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