Sugary hell: Gestational Diabetes

Event: Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)


While we had barely got over the week 26 scare, it was time for the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) done at week 28. Earlier, there used to be 2 tests done - only if the first test results showed high glucose levels, was the second test done. But now CA has standardized to a 2-hr GTT. There's blood drawn first (12 hr fasting) after which a sugary syrup is given and blood drawn again 1 and 2 hrs. If the glucose level is higher than normal even for one of the 3 readings, the mother-to-be is considered having diabetes. It is called gestational diabetes since it occurs only during pregnancy and normally goes away after delivery. Saumya had been cutting down on her dessert cravings so far in the pregnancy, hoping that she'd eat to her heart's content once the test is normal. Sadly, that was not to be. Her glucose level was high for all the three readings.

She had a consultation with a nutritionist who explained she needed to have 6-7 small meals every 3 hrs, each with extremely limited carbs and no sugar (also considered carbs). But there was no limit on fats. Sadly, most of the diet comprises of carbs - rotis, rice, bread, most fruits, juices. She could have as much cheese, peanut butter, ghee - but who are we kidding? If meausuring the food intake was not enough, she was required to poke herself 4 times a day to check her glucose level. It usually helps if you walk a lot in diabetes, but due to her low AFI level and complete bed rest, that was also ruled out. We were in for a tough 2-3 months (if she lasted full-term).

Her milk changed from regular lactose one to soy milk with low carbs, breakfast comprised of one small slice of bread with cheese, lunch was a chapati with veggies, a few berries in snack, a light dinner and crackers with peanut butter at bedtime - this remained her meal plan for the next 2 months. She craved for change, but there were not many options. She'd cry at times just looking at the cheese, but there was not much that could be done. Not to mention, all the poking for diabetes had left her finger-tips pierced. All this was done so that the baby is not exposed to high glucose levels in the blood, and does not get unusually large and over-weight. Of course, when Siona was born, we were in for a big surprise.