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What Are General Nutrition Guidelines For Gestational Diabetes?

Posted on Mon, 11 Jul 2016

Question: Hello, 2 weeks ago I was diagonised with Gestation diabetes. I am 29 Weeks Pregnant. My doctor recommended me to have a double dose of Gylciphage medicine: 1 before breakfast and 2 before dinner to see how my blood sugar levels are. By taking the medicine my 1.5 hour breakfast & pre-dinner are controlled but my fasting levels are always 20-30 points high. I have tried everything including changing my diet, walking 30-40 mins & low to no sugar diet. I have started to have my dinner early as 7:30pm to 8:00pm too see the difference in my fasting level. My main Dilemma is when I check my BSL around 4am they are always in controlled value but when I sleep after that and wake up around 8 or 9am it increases by 20-30 points. Why does that happens? When is the right time to check my Fasting BSL & should I consider my numbers when I check them around 4am to 5am? Please Help it's very confusing.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Abhay A Mali (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
one should not starve beyond 6 to 8 hours in pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your question.
Noted your concern.

Woman with gestational diabetes should take frequent small meals (3 major meals and 3 snacks) and should avoid starvation.
It is not advisable to starve after taking meal at 7.30 or 8.00pm till morning 8am (one should not starve beyond 6 to 8 hours in pregnancy).

You should consult nutritional specialist who can plan diet for you depending upon your food habits.

check Fasting blood sugar level before breakfast which one should take around 7am.

I may suggest to monitor Before breakfast blood sugar level and 1 or more 2 hours post meal readings (after breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Hope this helps you.

I will be happy to answer your follow up questions if any.

Regards,
Dr. Abhay Mali.
Diabetologist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Abhay A Mali (2 hours later)

I do take almonds & chocolate milk around 10:30pm. I heard the more late i check my fasting BSL in morning the higher it will be? Is that true? I am trying to avoid taking insulin; I want to reduce it with diet and medicine only. So trying all the possible ways. Today I checked my BSL AT 6:30am and it was 109.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Abhay A Mali (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need diet modification.

Detailed Answer:
I would not suggest to have chocolate milk.
I suggest to consult dietitian who can plan diet for you considering pre-pregnancy weight, current weight and your food habits.

Usually in fasting state blood glucose level is maintained by hepatic (liver) glucose output.
At morning time (as there is no calorie consumption during night time) under the influence of anti-insulin hormones (Growth hormone one of them) there is glucose production by liver this process get accelerated as duration of starvation increases that's why blood sugar rises.

Hope this helps you.

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad