Diabetes and Pregnancy
Use of Diabetes Drugs During Pregnancy
If you take insulin to control your diabetes, your health care provider can tell you how to adjust your medication. Generally, your body will require more insulin during pregnancy, especially during the last three months.
If you take oral medications to control your diabetes, your health care provider may switch your medication to insulin during pregnancy, because the safety of using certain oral medications may not be known and/or better sugar control may be achieved with insulin.
Diabetes and Pregnancy Diet
During pregnancy, you and your health care provider should work together to adjust your diet. Changing your diabetes diet will help you avoid problems with low and high blood sugar levels. Your meal plan will also be adjusted to include more calories for your growing baby.
Diabetes and Pregnancy: Will I Be Able to Carry My Baby to Term?
Women with mild diabetes or who are very well controlled often carry their baby to term without any problems. However, many health care providers prefer to plan for an early delivery, usually around weeks 38-39.
Diabetes and Pregnancy, Controlling Blood Sugar During Labor and Delivery
Blood sugar control remains important even during labor, which can be a stressful time for the mother and the baby. If you have been taking insulin during your pregnancy, you may be given insulin by injection or intravenously when labor begins. Insulin requirements often drop rapidly immediately after delivery.
WebMD Medical Reference
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
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