Question from Peoria, Arizona, USA:

I am 39 years old, 21 weeks pregnant with my second child, and have gestational diabetes. I was put on a diet and told to monitor my blood sugar four times daily. My fasting has never been below 105 mg/dl [5.8 mmol/L] even though I follow this diet. I have lost seven and one-half pounds since getting pregnant which doesn’t seem to concern my doctor. She says it looks like I am following this diet. Should I be concerned with the weight loss? My obstetrician told me I must go on insulin and that I have a very good chance of developing diabetes after this baby comes.

My father has diabetes which is diet-controlled, and my maternal grandmother used insulin. I don’t understand how two hours after my dinner, my level can be 117 mg/dl [6.5 mmol/L], and even though I not eat anything, my fasting the next day is 123 mg/dl [6.8 mmol/L]. My obstetrician told me to cut back on carbs and up my protein.