Managing gestational diabetes can feel like juggling a million different pieces of advice, but one crucial aspect is monitoring your blood sugar levels.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends specific target values for blood sugars: fasting values should be less than 95 mg/dL, 1-hour postprandial values should be less than 140 mg/dL, AND 2-hour postprandial values should be less than 120 mg/dL.
But with limited finger sticks to check, how do you decide whether to test at 1-hour or 2-hours after eating?
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The Basics of Postprandial Blood Sugar Testing
Most healthcare providers recommend checking blood sugars four times a day: fasting in the morning, and either 1-hour or 2-hours after the three main meals.
This approach balances getting enough data to manage gestational diabetes effectively without overwhelming you with checking your blood sugars seven or more times a day. Because honestly, four times a day already feels like more than enough.
Understanding After Eating Blood Sugar Spikes
After you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which enters your bloodstream. Insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas, helps move this glucose into your cells for energy and out of the blood stream that then passes to baby.
However, during pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can make your cells more resistant to insulin. This is why blood sugars can spike after meals.
Interpreting Your 3-Hour Glucose Test
Your 3-hour glucose test results (if that's how your diagnosis was made) can provide valuable insights into how your body handles blood sugar. The 3-hour glucose test involves fasting overnight, followed by drinking a sugary solution, and then having your blood sugar levels checked at fasting, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours post-drink. These results help determine how well your body manages glucose over several different time periods.
1-Hour Mark:
If your blood sugar levels spiked at the 1-hour mark but returned to normal by the 2-hour mark, this can indicate that your body initially struggled to process the glucose quickly but eventually managed to bring it down.
In this case, it might be more beneficial to check your blood sugars 1-hour postprandial since there is an obvious issue at that time period. By checking at the 1-hour mark, you can quickly see how your meal impacted your blood sugar levels and make necessary dietary adjustments to prevent these spikes in the future.
2-Hour Mark:
On the other hand, if your blood sugar levels were higher at the 2-hour mark, this suggests that your body is slower to process glucose, potentially leading to prolonged elevated levels. Therefore, you may want to consider focusing on 2-hour postprandial checks to provide a clearer picture of how your body is handling glucose over a longer period and help you manage any prolonged spikes.
This can help you identify foods or activities that may need to be modified to maintain more stable blood sugar levels.
But remember to always discuss these patterns with your healthcare provider and before making any changes to your regimen to tailor the best monitoring plan for you.
Lifestyle Considerations
Life with gestational diabetes doesn’t stop for anything, including monitoring blood sugars.
What I find happens most often is that mamas tend to have difficultly staying awake after dinner to check their blood sugar.
If you find it challenging to stay awake for a 2-hour post-dinner check, talk to your healthcare provider about switching to a 1-hour check.
Consistent data, even if it’s not perfectly timed, is far more valuable than missing checks altogether. The goal is to ensure that you have reliable data to manage your blood sugar levels effectively.
Adjusting Based on Baby’s Growth and Development
Sometimes, even if your blood sugar levels appear normal, ultrasound results might indicate that your baby is receiving too much blood sugar. Signs like being large for gestational age or having excess amniotic fluid can prompt a discussion with your healthcare provider.
In such cases, switching the timing of your postprandial checks might reveal hidden spikes in blood sugar that actually need to be managed.
The Risks
It’s crucial to understand that elevated blood sugar levels at either time (even if they are normal during one period) can still pose risks for both you and your baby.
These risks are often related to how often your blood sugars are elevated, the duration of the elevations, and the peak levels.
Practical Tips for Blood Sugar Testing
Discuss with Your Provider: Always consult with your healthcare provider to decide the best timing for your postprandial checks based on your unique situation.
Be Consistent: Whether you check at 1-hour or 2-hours, consistency is key. Try to stick to the same timing each day for accurate comparisons and if timing changes, be sure to record which values are which!
Record Your Results: Keep a log of your blood sugar readings to track patterns and share with your healthcare provider during appointments.
Adjust Your Routine: If a 2-hour check doesn’t fit well into your schedule, don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider about switching to a 1-hour check or vice versa. The important thing is to get reliable data.
Wrapping Up
Managing gestational diabetes involves a lot of decisions, but choosing when to check your postprandial blood sugars doesn’t have to be daunting. By considering your 3-hour glucose test results, your daily routine, and your baby’s development, you can work with your healthcare provider to find the best monitoring strategy for you.
Remember, the goal is to keep both you and your baby healthy, and consistent blood sugar monitoring is a key part of that journey.
Keep up the great work, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
You’ve got this, mama! Until next week!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace or substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this blog. GDMamas, LLC assumes no liability for inaccuracies, errors, or omissions in the information presented.
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