You’re not alone if your meter leaves you scratching your head. All the numbers, beeps, and instructions? It’s a lot—especially when you’re already juggling so much. Let’s break it down, mama-style: no pressure, just real talk and practical tips.
It’s not just another pregnancy “to-do.”
Checking your blood sugar is how you get to know your body and take care of your baby. It’s a tool, not a test. Your meter helps you spot patterns, figure out what meals work, and make choices that support both of you.
Think of your meter as a little detective.
You give it a drop of blood and it tells you how much sugar is floating around at that moment. It’s quick, it’s tiny, and it gives you a real-time “weather update” for your blood sugar.
Ever get two different numbers, minutes apart? Or feel like your meter is giving you a slightly different result every single time?
Yes—super common. In real life, you’re almost always going to see a bit of variation, even if you test close together (and sometimes even from the “same” drop).
Here’s why:
Your blood sugar isn’t perfectly still. It can change minute to minute—especially after eating, moving around, washing dishes, stressing, or even just… existing.
Meters are measuring a tiny sample. A glucose meter is basically doing a quick calculation from a very small drop of blood. Small differences in the sample can create small differences in the number.
There’s a built-in “margin of error.” Home glucose meters are allowed to have a certain amount of variation and still be considered accurate. Many people hear numbers like ±10–15% as a rough idea (it depends on the meter/standard and the range you’re in).
Julija note: It’s honestly frustrating. But unless you got a really weird number that doesn’t match what you ate/how you feel (or you suspect dirty hands/strip issues), repeated retesting can just confuse you and make you spiral.
Examples (mg/dL):
True 100 → could read ~85–115 (±15%)
True 180 → could read ~153–207 (±15%)
Examples (mmol/L):
True 5.0 → could read ~4.25–5.75 (±15%)
True 7.8 → could read ~6.6–9.0 (±15%)
What this means in real life:
A small change usually isn’t a reason to panic.
Instead of obsessing over one reading, look for patterns: “Is my fasting often high?” “Do I spike after breakfast?” “Does this meal usually work for me?”
When to re-test:
If a number feels way off compared to what you expected (or how you feel), it’s totally reasonable to wash/dry hands and retest with a fresh strip.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water (seriously, even a crumb can mess things up!)
Rinse and dry really well (important!)
Use a new lancet
Use fresh strips and keep them sealed tight
Store your meter away from heat and moisture
Try to test at consistent times each day (fasting, and 1 or 2 hours after meals—based on your provider’s plan)
If you’re a visual learner, Ascensia’s step-by-step videos are really clear: https://www.diabetes.ascensia.com.au/support/
Julija note: meters are like people—same basics, slightly different personalities. The big rules (clean hands + fresh strips) apply to everyone, but your model may have its own steps, symbols, and “quirks,” so always check the manual/support videos for your meter.
Safety note: Always dispose of used test strips and lancets as medical waste (or as advised by your healthcare professional).
If a number seems way off: pause and retest with a fresh strip (and clean, dry hands).
If it still looks off: try new strips and check the battery (check that your strips were stored properly).
Double-check timing: post-meal numbers can look “wrong” if you tested at a different time than usual—set a timer and follow your provider’s 1-hour or 2-hour plan.
If you’re worried: trust your gut and reach out to your provider (especially if you feel “off,” or the number doesn’t match how you feel).
Want the most common causes (and quick fixes)? Here you go!
Quick note: every meter has its own instructions and error messages, but these fixes help in a lot of real-life situations.
Not enough blood
If the strip doesn’t fill properly, you may get an error or a reading that doesn’t make sense.
Try: warm hands, shake them down, use the side of the fingertip, adjust lancing depth, and use a fresh strip if needed.
Feature to look for: Some meters (like Contour Next) offer Second-Chance Sampling, which gives you a short window to add more blood to the same strip if the first drop wasn’t enough (check your specific model/strip instructions).
Wet hands or “mystery stuff” on your fingers (food, lotion, sanitizer, etc.)
A little residue can throw off results more than you’d think.
Try: soap + warm water, rinse, dry really well—then test.
Expired or heat-damaged strips
Strips left open, exposed to humidity/heat, or expired can cause errors.
Try: check expiry, keep strips sealed, store at room temp.
Testing site issues (cold fingers, poor circulation)
Try: warm hands first, lower your arm, gentle massage toward fingertip.
Battery/device issues
Try: replace battery, clean meter if instructed, contact support if errors persist.
Coding / setup issues (older meters)
Some older systems require coding; incorrect setup can cause inaccurate readings.
Try: check the manual or brand support video.
Timing confusion (post-meal testing)
Testing at a different time than usual can make numbers look “off.”
Try: set a timer and follow your provider’s 1-hour or 2-hour plan.
In our HIgedi community, these names come up again and again (availability and insurance coverage can vary a lot by country/clinic):
ReliOn (Platinum): often mentioned for being budget-friendly and easy to find (especially in the US)
Contour Next: often mentioned for consistency/accuracy in people’s day-to-day experience
Accu-Chek: often mentioned for features and wide availability globally
“I set a timer for my test because otherwise I’d ‘guess’ and then stress about the number.”
— HIgedi member
“My hands are basically ice cubes, and if I test when they’re cold, I get nothing. Now I warm them up first (even just under warm water) and it’s so much easier.”
— HIgedi member
“My meter started taking forever to turn on and I was panicking like ‘I can’t waste another strip!’ My husband was like… babe, it’s probably the battery. He was right.”
— HIgedi member
Got a tip you wish someone told you in week 1? Drop it in the HIgedi app—your comment could calm another mama’s nerves.
Hands washed, dry well
Fresh strip, new lancet
Meter ready
Deep breath—you’ve got this!
If you’re confused, frustrated, or just need a pep talk, come join us in the HIgedi app. Real support, zero judgment. 💛
Medical Disclaimer:
This post is for informational purposes only. Always talk to your provider about your unique situation.
Want to collaborate?
We love working with brands and experts who care about supporting people with GDM. Email Julija at hi@higedi.com.
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