GDM BSL daily levels

Hi all

Anyone who is managing GDM now or recently, can you help me with some info?

What were your daily blood sugar level limits? Mine are fasting 5.0 and 2hours after meals 7.0.

My problem: most of my fasting levels are at about 5.0-5.4 (my post-meal numbers are all fine), and at my last appointment the doctor started talking about drug intervention. I'm really uncomfortable with this. I'm trying to up the exercise and modify my bedtime snack, and I'm seeing some results, but I'm researching the limits from other hospitals and some are actually fasting 5.5. So if I was at another hospital, there'd be no talk of medication...

Just hoping for some examples of other people's BSL cutoffs, plus any good research/advice/tips for navigating this issue with my hospital.

Thank you!

I had GD with my last baby (4th and only time I've had it). My fasting had to be under 4.0 and 2 hour post meal under 7.0.
i managed it through diet and walking. There was many appointments where insulin injection threats were made (maybe 1-2 times a week I'd have a one off higher reading around 8.4+), but I always refused to take medication when I was managing it just fine. My suggestion is, log everything you eat and show doctors what you're consuming. Unless you post meal BSL were high, I'd not be letting them force you on to degs without a very good reason


I had to have growth scans down too and bavy always measured small...despite telling me my baby would be big. She was born 3.3kg.

Thanks Rosetti. Under 4?! That seems low?

Isn't under 4 considered hypoglycaemic?

I had much more relaxed limits - 6 fasting and 8 after meals. I think they can go a bit overboard with the limits making it nearly impossible to stay diet controlled.

I had to do my bsls from 5 weeks pregnant and my levels were under 5.2 fasting and 6.8 2 hours post meals.

Yes under 4 is a hypo and considered too low according to my endo

No idea, but that's what the GD team told me and wrote in my book. I randomly jab myself now and then and it's always around 3.8 each morning. Few months ago I had 4.4 and that's highest I've ever seen it.

Thanks everyone, that's all very helpful!

Rosetti - any tips for keeping fasting levels down? Exercise, bedtime snack? Luck? ;)

I would always walk at night time, not eat/snack past 9-10pm (fasting was usually taken around 7-8am), snack would be a bit of fruit, yoghurt or nuts. Occasionally I'd treat myself to a small amount of ice cream.

At the time I was also seeing a social worker who was a qualified dietician and nutritionist so she helped me a lot. I also attended GD education and seen the clinic every 2 weeks up until 38 weeks when they finally discharged me from the clinic.

The BSL guidelines actually changed whilst I was pregnant and if my hospital followed them, I'd never have be classed as GD.

Bub was tested regularly after birth and was always under, as was I, so all good in the end :)

My daughter in law has just been diagnosed with GD. She took the 3 hour test. I don't know the levels but she has now been told she has it. The doctor is setting up an education class for her. However, not sure what good it will do. All the research I have done on what they go over in the class is stuff she does. She has a very unique situation.
She is 28 weeks. Has been given bedrest since week 25. (only bathroom and getting up to eat) ) She had contractions at week 25 ... 2-3 min apart. was hospitalized for 3 days and now taking meds for contractions. She still gets them on occasion. She has gained only 8 lbs ...eats extremely healthy. Low carbs.. little sugar..good protein etc.... She is a nurse and knows and practices good nutrition.
Other issues:
Also has "irritable uterus"
Shortened cervix...currently at 1.6cm
now GD... she can't exercise.... she already eats 6 small meals a day.

She was lean to begin with before pregnancy. 5'7 110lbs.
Not even sure how she will be able to attend a class. Sitting to long causes her to contract.
Baby has great heart rate.. He is estimated to be 2lbs at this point.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.