I am 28 weeks pregnant and was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I never got to speak to my doctor about what to do. I woke feeling really hot at around 10 am and I ate an apple and around 11 am I had an egg salad sandwich. At 4:30 pm I was still feeling very hot so my dad tested my sugar and it was 267. What do I do? I’m starving and scared to eat anything.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Your blood sugar number is definitely higher than recommended. High blood sugar levels aren’t healthy for you or your baby during pregnancy. It’s important for you to talk to your doctor about ways to help control your blood sugar level and set up a treatment plan that’s right for you.
A change in your eating patterns will be needed and is usually the first treatment option. It isn’t wise for you to skip meals during this time since your baby counts on the food you eat for proper nutrition and growth.
Women with gestational diabetes should check their blood sugar level on a regular basis. Most women start by testing about 4 times a day: before eating in the morning and 1-2 hours after each meal. This information will help to determine if your blood sugar levels are within a healthy range. If levels are high, your doctor will most probably prescribe medication, including insulin, to help bring the numbers down to the recommended range. The desired blood sugar ranges during pregnancy tend to be lower than those for people with type 2 diabetes.
Call your health care provider today and ask about testing your blood sugar and about seeing a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. They can help you to learn the skills needed to assure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.