Gestational Diabetes- unable to take control

by Shamaila
(Saint Paul)

QUESTION: I am 24 weeks pregnant and have been diagnosed with GD three weeks ago. I failed my test first so badly that the doctor dint even go for the second test.

I have been trying to take control since then. On strict diet (even sometimes taking less carbs then suggested, just to take control) and 30 minutes on treadmill 5 days a week. Weekends are actively spent shopping and doing house chores.

My fasting sugars have been fine. But my breakfast, lunch, and sometimes even after dinner readings have been all over the place but they are mostly higher than normal and sometimes way higher.

I am charting everything I eat but when I look at the chart and the readings, nothing seems to make sense.

Two weeks ago, my doctor put me on insulin, but it seems like as I keep increasing the insulin dosage, the resistence seems to increase as well keeping the levels high.

I feel frustrated and helpless and concerned that the stress from this situation is causing more harm to my baby then the glucose levels itself.

Please help.


ANSWER: Hi there,

First of all, you have to relax, because sometimes the stress leads to higher blood glucose concentration.

You have to know that diabetes, especially the gestational one, is progressive disease, which means that the treatment has to be changed almost every week.

Because of the progression, your doctor will change your treatment from time to time, but you don’t have to worry about this.

You just need to follow the instructions, in the way you are doing now and everything will be ok.

As I can see from the information provided above, the spikes at the blood glucose concentration are observed mainly after having a meal.

You have to know that such spikes are normal, because the organism needs time to put the glucose inside the cells and to reduce the blood glucose concentration.

Besides this, such temporary elevations of the blood glucose concentration are not leading to damages of the baby.

The only thing, which can lead to damages of the baby, is the permanent blood glucose elevation, along with stress.

So, the most important thing is to relax. In this way you will reduce the blood glucose concentration of yours and you will have absolutely normal pregnancy.

If you are not able to handle with stress, speak with your doctor about it. There are several very effective drugs, which can help you with the stress management.

I know that this is hard for you, but remember that you are doing everything right- diet, exercises and treatment. The only thing, on which you have to work, is the stress, so don’t let the stress to take you over and beat it.

All the best to you and your baby!

Dr.Alba