Mama's of GD please come in I am seriously worried

julybride_07 · January 2012

So since Thursday my sugars have been WAY too easy to control! I have not had a reading over 95, (my fastings have been in the low 60's!) my lowest reading I got on Friday after lunch was 49!! I was completely freaked out! I have heard that as the placenta deteriorates that you become less insulin resistant. Should I be worried?? Does this mean that my placenta is deteriorating at an exceptionally fast rate? Anyone else experience this and still end up with a an ok baby?! TIA!

MotherMonster · January 2012

Low blood sugar doesn't mean your placenta is failing. Low blood sugar means you need to monitor your blood sugar and watch your activity to see why it's getting that low. Low blood sugar can cause fetal death. I know a lot of ladies say it doesn't, but low blood sugar aka hypoglycemia isn't compatible with life. 50 is pushing it when it comes to low blood sugar, so you should talk to your doctor.

When it comes to the placenta failing, my high risk doctor told me that's seen 32 weeks and later in pregnancy. That's why they do the doppler, monitors and ultrasounds, so they know if baby is moving properly and so they know the baby is neurologically okay because it will effect their hearts and such.

orriskitten · January 2012

I don't have experience, but I have been reading a lot about women getting much better numbers after the "peak" of insulin resistance. But I really don't know much.

With numbers that are worrying you, though, call your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you more than we can and will put your mind at ease.

memali26 · January 2012

There is a small chance it's due to placental failure, but I wouldn't jump straight to that. Some women report lowering BS when they are getting close to labor, so it could be that your LO is preparing to make their grand entrance

I would definitely call your doctor and whoever else has been working with you to manage the GD. Let them know your numbers, any changes in eating/exercise/activity, if/when you've been taking any meds in relation to eating, changes in sleep... basically anything that may have changed. They'll help you figure out what's going on.

Also, if you are dipping below 60 (or even 70 for some people, depends on your doctor) you need to make sure you get your BS back up immediately. Keep juice, soda, milk, something with quickly absorbed carbs on hand for times like that. My dietitian gave me glucose tablets to keep in my purse, you can find them at any drug store. Once your BS is back up above the 60/70 mark, eat a healthy snack with carbs and protein.

dawnkerner · January 2012

That happened to me late in my pregnancy. First, my numbers which were previously difficult to control became very easy to control. Then, they started to dip very low at certain times of day. I would definitely call your dr./dietitian. Once I adjusted my diet, my numbers went back to normal. Incidentally, I went on to have a healthy baby at 39 weeks. Since I was induced at 39 weeks due to high blood pressure, I can't speak to whether my placenta would have broken down before 40 weeks. But I recall that my doctors were not worried about it just based on my blood sugar levels dropping.

DBride2006 · January 2012

With GD, my dietician tells me insulin resistance peaks around 38 weeks, which is probably what you're experiencing. They are, however, concerned with low blood sugar, too. So I would definitely talk to my doctor/dietician right away about those lows. I also keep glucose tablets on hand, but have never had to use them.

julybride_07 · January 2012

I called them first thing this morning. I expressed my concerns about my placenta and they don't think it is placental failure, they want me to try a regular diet till Wednesday and call my sugars in and they will go from there! Thank you for all of the responses, I really appreciate it!

cathom7 · January 2012

This JUST started happening to me! I go in tomorrow and am getting a BPP(per usual these weeks), and they usually give the placenta a look-see. I can't wait to hear what doc says, bc that was MY 1st fear.... My cousin is Type 2, and she said that she started plummeting around this time, too. Her doc told her it was normal, bc the hormones are changing and stuff.... I will report back tomorrow. But what she said made me feel a lot better. I am used to 90's for fasting. This morning, I got up and was a bit shaky. Checked and was at 80!! And I had a big ol glass of milk last night(I caved).