who develop diabetes during. pregnancy, called gestational diabetes need to keep Most pregnant women with diabetes will check their blood sugar 4 to 8 …
High Blood Sugar with Gestational Diabetes
What Is High Blood Sugar?
High blood sugar means there is too much glucose sugar in the blood You may also hear the term hyperglycemia Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes need to keep their blood sugar levels controlled For pregnant women, blood sugar levels need to be kept in a narrow range, between 60 and 120 In the morning when you first wake up, your blood sugar should be 60-95 When you measure your blood sugar before meals it should be 60-105, and two hours after you eat, 60-120 Any time your blood sugar is above 120, it is too high during pregnancy If the blood sugar gets high during pregnancy, it can lead to problems for both the mother and the baby Problems for the baby:
C Too much sugar from the mother causes the baby to grow too large causing: the babys lungs to develop more slowly risk of early delivery risk for injury during birth low blood sugar in the baby at birth risk for stillborn
Problems for the mother:
C Preeclampsia is more common There is more stress on the kidneys and this
can cause high blood pressure, swelling and early delivery
C If the baby is large due to high blood
sugars, a C-section may be needed at
delivery This puts the mother at more risk of infection and results in a more difficult recovery
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Why Does High Blood Sugar Occur?
C During pregnancy, your body will need more insulin, especially during the last
three months There are several reasons for high blood sugar The most common reasons during pregnancy include:
The hormone changes during pregnancy Eating more food than your meal plan allows Eating foods high in sugar or high in carbohydrates Not taking enough medicine insulin Missed, skipped or delayed medicine insulin Stress Infection / illness Not getting enough exercise C There also may be times when you cannot find a reason for high blood sugar
How Will I Feel When My Blood Sugar Is Too High?
You may not feel any different when your blood sugar is too high That is why it is so important that you check your blood sugar levels as your doctor or nurse advises Most pregnant women with diabetes will check their blood sugar 4 to 8 times each day, before meals and 2 hours after eating If your blood sugar levels go over 120 more than 3 days in a row and you are following your diet, you need to check back with your doctor
or nurse You may need to have insulin started or if you are on insulin, your dose may need to be changed
What Should I Do When I Have High Blood Sugar?
The best way to treat high blood sugar is by balancing food, exercise and/or insulin Review the last couple of days of meal plans, activities, medicines insulin and your glucose record sheet Look for any changes that might explain the high sugar
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How Can I Prevent High Blood Sugar?
You can prevent high blood sugar by following your diabetes plan
C Following your meal plan C Taking your insulin as directed C Testing your glucose and keeping a record of the results C Following your activity and exercise routine C Contacting your doctor if you see patterns of high blood sugar C Following your sick day plan if you are ill
If you would like more written information, please call the Library for Health Information at 614293-3707 You can also make the request by e-mail: health-info@osuedu
Copyright, 8/2005 OB/Gyn Clinic The Ohio State University Medical Center
Upon request all patient education handouts are available in other formats for people with special hearing, vision and language needs, call 614 293-3191
