Hi Kell...

First off no you don't have to watch your sugar intake. Sugar is a carb just like the other high GI carbs on your list. The intent of the GTT is to test how your pancreas responds to being stressed, so in theory the more you "carb up" before the test the better an idea the docs can get of how your pancreas is coping. Eat as much crap as you like basically.

I have to get on my soap box here sorry guys scroll down if not interested...... eating too much sugar DOES NOT cause gestational diabetes or any diabetes for that matter. It is a much spouted myth that really gets my goat up. You could have the most perfect diet and eat rabbit food 24/7 and still get GD. To give you some idea of what your body is going through I will explain it from my point of view as a type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetic. I produce zero insulin of my own so take it all by injection. ATM non pregnant and take 45ish units a day. From weeks 16ish+ of a pregnancy the hormones your body are making to assist the pregnancy make the body resistant to insulin and your insulin needs naturally rise - my insulin needs could go up to about 200 units per day....as much as four times normal. This is happening in exactly the same way to you guys as well, just your pancreas are coping by producing the extra insulin needed and you don't notice this in your day to day life. Sometimes, in some people their pancreas doesn't cope as well with the added stress and can't quite keep with the extra demand for insulin...this is when you get GD. Nothing you can do will ever totally prevent it....if it is meant to be it will be.
GD does not necessarily mean a big baby...it all depends on how well you and your doctor can mange the blood sugar level during the pregnancy. This may mean having less carbohydrate in your diet to help decrease the stress load on your pancreas or maybe injections of insulin to again, help reduce the stress load on your pancreas. If your blood sugar levels are high it means you dont have enough insulin for your body to use it - but your baby does have its own insulin (and will) use the stuff in your bloodstream...the more that is floating around the bigger he/she can get.
*end vent*
I hope this information helps you....fell free to pm me if want to ask any questions but please please please for the sake of my sanity don't be spouting the sugar causes diabetes line.


BTW this vent is to everyone in general and not meant to offend anyone in any way....more to inform people of the facts.

Have a nice day
Mel
p.s. I am soooooo glad I will NEVER have to do a GTT!!! One plus of already having a stuffed pancreas...hehe