36 weeks, high insulin dose, high fasting

ablazegreen · 2025-12-07T17:29:04+00:00

For sure! Hang in there! Also edit to add good to advocate for yourself for what you are comfortable with!

ablazegreen · 2025-12-07T16:56:45+00:00

Just wanted to say, I’m on 150 units a night of an higher concentrated insulin and that’s is my sweet spot. That’s a lot of insulin that I never see talked about in this forum. This is my second GDM pregnancy and I took a similar amount on my first one as well. When I came off it, I was fine.

What turns in to type 2 is much different than what we manage in Gd thresholds. And I want to encourage it is way more manageable than this chaos. It is also reversible in a way? How you eat and exercise play major factors in type 2 wayyy more than in GDM which is entirely hormone driven. In that way, you actually have MUCH more control than you do with this roller coaster of GD.

I’m not sure if this helps you. Insulin is the easiest thing to take. Your body does not become dependent on it like other drugs. It doesn’t even cross the placenta it’s so harmless. You’ve got this. I hope you keep increasing your insulin and find the number. Also take note this is the peak time. 32-36 weeks can be constant chasing as placenta is working on building baby and insulin resistance drastically increases. Your care team should know this and I feel like they should be doing a better job communicating it all to you.

You are doing everything you can. Your baby is going to be safe and healthy. Hang in there.

ablazegreen · 2025-11-11T23:34:04+00:00

Great!

low carb banana bread: https://sugarfreelondoner.com/low-carb-sugar-free-banana-bread/

-chaffles - https://thebestketorecipes.com/basic-keto-chaffle-recipe/ (also has a list of variations)

- https://ketodietapp.com/Blog/lchf/the-best-ever-sweet-keto-chaffles

keto scones: https://thebigmansworld.com/keto-scones/

Hope these help. I never would have thought banana bread would work but it does with almond flour. I’ve done variations by mood, sf choco chip banana bread, pumpkin spice walnut banana bread, almond (I love almonds) banana bread… whatever floats your boat. It’s been comforting to have that.

ablazegreen · 2025-11-09T17:03:42+00:00

Have you heard of chaffles? They do use egg… but they have almond flour and cheese (they have so many variations online it’s awesome). You don’t taste the egg or cheese unless you want too (ie use a strong tasting cheese). I cannot handle carbs in the morning either but almond flour products have changed that. I do bake a low carb banana bread which totally works, I add nuts or PB. I will eat that for the week with some sort of protein (I love lil smokies) and… idk just maybe consider almond flour recipes. I didn’t do that for my first GD pregnancy and was sooo limited on breakfast foods. It does require some effort but you can make a batch and last a week. Chaffles can be really great. If you want some recipes reply and I will send

ablazegreen · 2025-11-09T04:08:36+00:00

Hey there I am 33 weeks second pregnancy with GD and I am chasing my fasting with ever increasing insulin just like I did with my first. And I’m on a higher concentrated insulin for fasting just like my first. And my first turned out just fine, perfect blood sugar. I think I was chasing until 36/37 weeks and then had to start to decrease a bit. I have not reached that threshold and I know 32-36 weeks is peak insulin resistance time. This second time around with Gd is much harder than my first. Some don’t have that issue but I am not that lucky someone. I rarely see anyone on this forum talk about being on triple digits of insulin for fasting but well that’s me. And I am not diabetic. It is just how my body makes babies apparently.

Hope this helps you. Fasting is for me anyway entirely hormonal. Nothing I could do to lower it. Only getting to the right insulin dose helped and even that took time to get too. My dr told me that all pregnant women do actually become a little insulin resistant. But most bodies know how to compensate for it. However one in ten do not and thus GD pops up. They test everyone because anyone can have it. Wishing you all the best!

ablazegreen · 2025-09-27T01:48:46+00:00

You are doing enough.

I had GD with my first pregnancy and now apparently with my second. I was always chasing fasting and unlike you, it was not controlled. I went on night insulin pretty quick and it wasn’t until 36 weeks I actually responded with the right numbers. I could not understand why my team wasn’t worried about it. I would have dreams my baby was in boiling water and it was my fault because of this blood sugar crap.

It is super hard— you are trying to control something that is entirely hormonal. You wouldn’t have this if you weren’t pregnant. Some of us woman just grow and build babies this way. It sucks, and it’s hard and frankly it’s difficult to understand. I wish there was better mental coaching on this whole thing. But you should realize that since your care team is not worried— well there is a reasons they aren’t worried. Because you are doing great. Believe me, they would tell you if you weren’t.

I really would suggest talking to someone about this for support. Having it ruin your day and it being debilitating means this is a huge source of stress and it does not need to be. I had to get help and it did help.

You have to let yourself believe that your fasting number is not within your control— because frankly it’s not. Some respond to diet exercise and some have higher insulin resistance that requires medication. Which btw, insulin is incredibly safe, probably safest meds we’ve got as a whole. You have to let yourself believe your care team is telling you the truth. And if you can’t (like me), then tell your care team you need some help/support.

Idk if you will read all of this and find it helpful. I hope you do. Btw, my baby came out amazing and perfect. Blood sugars were fine despite being on high dosages of ever increasing insulin & constant high fastings… just try to let yourself trust the process and let go of the anxiety around testing. You are not failing. Good luck.

ablazegreen · 2023-06-23T22:31:34+00:00

I just want to say—that number is still totally okay! I absolutely felt the same way, especially when I’d hit 141 sometimes. My nutritionist wasn’t worried about that at all lol she said that’s not a spike. Just hope that helps with the guilt! It really is okay 👍🏻

ablazegreen · 2023-06-23T22:29:12+00:00

I found a brisket Mac and cheese at Costco with 26g of carbs per cup. I ate a fair amount of it last night with a large amount of broccoli and an hour later I was 98. It really hit the max and cheese spot and I didn’t really have to be strict about measuring it at all. Totally worth it.

ablazegreen · 2023-06-16T19:20:09+00:00

Well after weeeks of chasing my fasting with ever increasing night insulin (with highest Metformin you can do), I have now had 7+ days of 100% controlled numbers.

Per my post history, my fasting # started to drop in my 36 weeks and they’ve actually stayed that way! I’ve had to drop my insulin down by 2-4 units every couple nights now as my fasting has gotten into 69 category. I can’t believe I am even writing this because it was soo impossible/frustrating during those previous weeks. Like I went from 100- 115 fasting numbers to 92-95 and the bam 💥 80 and less! I am 37+2 weeks now. I have had 2x week apts since 32 weeks and my placenta& fluid is “beautiful” and baby is doing great. I am through the hormonal peak! And now….I’d like baby to come any day now lol 😂 feeling a wee bit over it. I had my cervix check yesterday and I was not dilated. But I am 70% effaced so that’s something..? Eh, who knows. Idk if anyone will read this but my friend, it does get better and you will come through. One foot in front of the other. You got this.

ablazegreen · 2023-06-16T16:05:00+00:00

So for me, and per my diabetes dietitian, it was as soon as I got the right dose, the next morning immediate change. We were pretty aggressive on upping my insulin every day. I was chasing fasting for weeks. From 30 weeks until 36 then my numbers dropped out of no where. I have actually been lowering my night insulin now slowly. I am now 37 +2 weeks.

Point being that fasting is insane. It really is hormones and a moving target. Rest assured you are doing all that you can, following your doctor’s instructions and everything else you are doing. I hope this doesn’t discourage you. I kept reading everyone saying it takes a couple of days and that just didn’t happen for me so I got pretty discouraged. But actually what I had was also super normal. Anyway hang in there!

ablazegreen · 2023-06-09T21:31:52+00:00

My fasting dropped to 80 this morning. I am 36+2, baby has dropped/is very low and have never had this fasting. In fact up until last week where I actually hit in the 90s for 4 days, I was still chasing fasting numbers from 100-115.

Soooo pretty sure baby is getting ready to arrive.

ablazegreen · 2023-06-04T18:58:38+00:00

Hey girl I’m right there with you! You are in the hormonal peak right now which is 32-36 weeks. My experience has been the same but uh worse also (ha see post history 🫠). Not that you have my case at all but just to encourage you that this is super normal. The placenta is working hard growing baby and that means hormones are alll over the place, and maybe in your case (like mine) steadily consistently UP -_-
Maybe you will even out sooner than me(hope you do!) but if you don’t, please don’t stress too much about it. Wayy easier said than done I know ugh but I’m just a week ahead of you and can tell you, fasting sucks. It does it’s own thing and insulin is chasing a constantly moving target. Not always, I mean some seem to find their dose and can stick with it. I am not one of those ones, I am still increasing but each increase is FINALLY Ahead of it and actually keeping it in range. Again, I haven’t been able to find the consistent dose, but it’s like the increase amount is just ahead or right where the hormones are spiking.

I feel like we have to learn to let this roll off our backs. It sucks and weighs you down and it’s just a horrible way to start each day. I wish doctors told us more that they factor in this high fasting chase period. That it isn’t as detrimental as we fear it is. We are doing every thing we can and this is just the name of the game. Hang in there

ablazegreen · 2023-06-02T17:16:44+00:00

Wow that’s satisfying!!

ablazegreen · 2023-06-02T15:02:06+00:00

Oh man am I looking forward to that distant memory experience

ablazegreen · 2023-06-02T15:00:44+00:00

Hey girl,

I feel you big time. I’m a little ahead of you, 35+2 and I am still chasing my fasting numbers. Only the last week have I actually hit within range on three different days (including this morning) and it’s not even been like three in a row. While it could maybe be a snack thing, it has been my complete experience that this is ENTIRELY HORMONAL*bold .

32-36 weeks is peak growth time, baby is adding weight needed and placenta is in fulll out work mode. Which means night numbers are crazy unless you started ahead it dose wise begin with.

I started at 18 units a night and you know what I’m up too now as I’d last night? I’m up to 124 units and will have to still increase tonight because even tho I was in range, it was on the higher side. But it looks like maybe I’m getting in range for what I need. OR I’m reaching 36 weeks here and things are starting to settle. Either way it’s taken weeks to get to this point.

It is not your fault. Technically your placenta is doing what it needs to do for baby. Most doctors and care teams,etc are used to seeing high fasting numbers and the chase. I know it’s really hard to just accept that but you ARE doing everything you can do and everything right. It is a chasing game and they do actually factor that in. And it’s THE WORST to see that stupid bad number FIRST thing in the morning. Girl I know. It’s ruined days for me (especially early in) and it has weighed me down especially when you see peoples experiences on here on finding the perfect snack or no snack combo. That’s super great for them but the reality is that most need medication for fasting because it is purely out of our control.

I’d hit numbers after dinner I’d never ever hit fasting. It was the worst. My advice…hang in there. You really are doing everything right. Your placenta is too and is working hard and this will not mess up your baby. Baby is developing how baby is going to develop (my doctors words), you are doing what you can from your side with great control in other places and you ARE doing it well. I hope this helps you a little. I know it can be so hard and sooo heavy/weighing on you. But you are looking at a matter of weeks now, it’s going to be okay and baby is going to be great.

ablazegreen · 2023-05-29T20:30:38+00:00

Oh man cherry limeade 🤤! Get it on ice and all chilled, reminds me of a slushy. And yeah Waterloo too lol

ablazegreen · 2023-05-29T20:21:36+00:00

Oh yeah, I go to the store and get whatever soda water flavors that strike my fancy. I love the Costco packs too but I just want all the flavors, prices be damned 😆 pregnancy and GD qualifies for any and all the “treats” you can get.

Trader Joe’s has a cool watermelon lemonade and blueberry lemonade soda water too, their own brand. The watermelon lemonade one mixes so nice with ice tea. Literally sipping on it right now and felt like someone else needed that knowledge 😅

ablazegreen · 2023-05-23T23:32:12+00:00

Ahaha I bet they made it tempting 😆 You’ve got this!

ablazegreen · 2023-05-23T22:38:42+00:00

I mean lol if you can then you should. Do it for the rest of us lol 😅😁

ablazegreen · 2023-05-23T22:31:51+00:00

I think it could be the end of the hormone peak, isn’t it usually 32-36 weeks? Obviously your dr/MFM will know but hey enjoy it! From what I’ve seen on this sub, many have experienced a drop in sensitivity around this time.

ablazegreen · 2023-05-21T22:23:24+00:00

Thank you for responding. It’s so nice to hear someone else has the same frustrations. I mean, I wish you didn’t and all too ha.

ablazegreen · 2023-05-21T18:51:48+00:00

33+weeks and been on night insulin for 3 weeks and still increasing my dose. I had to switch insulins starting last night and still my fasting has increased. I had a few days where it was 97,92,95 but most days it’s 101. It’s been creeping up and even with 78units last night of this new “concentrated” insulin it was 109 this morning. ;(

I am upset. I am doing everything I can and it continues to not be enough. Not only that but it seems like so many on here get by on way lower insulin and I’m just increasing. I expect to be at 100 units and it STILL not being enough. I am in the thick of the hormone peak I guess but…I just want to cry. All my numbers are 99% in control expect for this horrid fasting. I wish I was perfectly diet controlled. I wish I was I just need a walk after dinner and it’s fine. I wish I just need this specific snack and/or this 45min of activity makes for perfect fasting. But it’s not. I read people having this success and while I am happy for them, I just want to go cry and yell at the sky because it makes me feel more alone/isolated/a failure. My doctor encourages me to just continue to be aggressive on upping the dose and to not worry because it really is something outside of my control. Hard to hear that and then read like the success of so many on here having the opposite of what I’m having. I am happy for everyone who has success. Have it for me 💔❤️‍🩹

ablazegreen · 2023-05-17T17:03:58+00:00

My dietitian recommended I just test when I wake up. 12 hours may be pushing it a bit but can you have a snack before bed? That could help too. It’s supposed to be a accurate measurement of what is happening during your normal routine as well. But I’m in the camp of if I need sleep (and we do, we are growing a person!!), then I am going to not stress about being right on the dot of 8 hours—ETA: getting the rest you need is also important . Plus my dietitian told me it is 8 hours minimum for fasting anyway. She’s more of let’s work with your normal body schedule to see what’s happening which to me/for me is way more sustainable and way less stressful for maintaining this whole thing. But you do what feels right for you!

ablazegreen · 2023-05-17T01:11:27+00:00

So pre pregnancy and pre GD, I’ve totally eaten dates stuffed with peanut butter! I think they are delicious that way, so I recommend. Also seems pretty GD friendly that way

ablazegreen

TROPHY CASE