How To Reduce High Blood Sugar Levels In Pregnancy
In this article, we will discuss how to reduce high blood sugar levels in pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant she feels herself on the ninth cloud. The moment she got the news of her pregnancy she starts thinking about her baby. Pregnancy is the time when there are several changes in the body along with she craves for different food items and love to have all that.
Sometimes because of these cravings and eating habits in pregnancy, one can suffer from Gestational Diabetes or their blood sugar levels increase. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that mostly occurs in pregnancy. Many women face this generally in the third trimester of pregnancy. In this, the glucose levels or blood sugar levels in the body start increasing.
It is necessary to control high blood sugar levels in pregnancy for the wellbeing of the mother and the baby. It can be serious and dangerous if not properly taken care. Here are some natural treatments for high blood sugar levels in pregnancy.
What About The Glycemic Index
Your daily carb total, spread steadily across the day, is one key to good blood sugar control. Some people also use the glycemic index , a rating of how individual foods raise blood sugar levels. Beans and whole-grain breads and cereals have a lower GI than white bread and regular pasta. Juice has a higher GI than whole fruit. Craving a high-GI food? Eat it along with a lower-GI choice to help control your levels.
;;; David McGlynn / Photographers Choice;;; David Malan / Photographers Choice RF;;; Maximilian Stock Ltd. / Photographers Choice;;; Peter Dazeley/ Photographers Choice;;; Paul Poplis / FoodPix;;; Jeffrey Hamilton / Lifesize, Thinkstock;;; Nick Daly / The Image Bank;;; Ailbhe ODonnell / Flickr Open;;; Ross M Horowitz / Stone;;; John Slater / The Image Bank;;; Yo;;; Thinkstock
Fiber Helps Keep Blood Sugar Steady
Fiber is what makes complex carbohydrates complexits the zero-calorie, non-digestible part of a carbohydrate that adds bulk to food and swells in the stomach when eaten. Studies have shown eating a diet rich in fiber can help control blood sugar. Choosing high fiber, complex carbohydrates will slow down how quickly food is converted into glucose, which will help to stabilize glucose levels, Palinski-Wade says. Whole grains, fruits, nuts, legumes, and other vegetables are high in fiber. In addition, check where the foods you eat fall on the glycemic index and its glycemic load, which rate how quickly the food produces glucose as well as how many carbs it contains.
Recommended Reading: Diabetes Weight Loss Diets
Also Check: What Happens If You Stop Taking Diabetes Medication
Tip : Season Dishes With Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most powerful blood sugar controllers available. Cinnamon consumption regularly can help to reduce blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is advised in a daily intake of at least one milligram.
You can, for example, add cinnamon to your tea or coffee to get enough cinnamon. A pinch of cinnamon in your morning cereal or fruit salad is just as delicious. A pinch of cinnamon can also be used to refine foods like rice pudding or chili con carne.
How Do You Know If You Have High Blood Sugar
Unfortunately, symptoms associated with gestational diabetes can be difficult to detect, and the only way to know if you have high blood sugar is to get tested. Normally, all pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of their pregnancy. However, if high levels of glucose are found in your urine during your early prenatal visits, you may be advised to do a screening even sooner.
The most commonly administered test to check for blood sugar while pregnant is the oral glucose challenge test , wherein the doctor will ask you to drink a glucose solution. One hour after you have had this sweet glucose solution, the doctor will draw your blood to check your blood glucose level.
If your blood glucose is above the healthy range , you may have to come back for a fasting blood glucose test. For the fasting blood sugar test during your pregnancy,;you must abstain from eating or drinking anything but water for at least 8 to 10 hours. This will ensure an accurate measurement of your blood glucose levels.
Also Check: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon
Taking Insulin If It’s Needed
Even if you do everything your doctor tells you, you may still need to take insulin during your pregnancy to keep your blood sugar under control. This doesnt mean that your baby will be at any greater risk of complications; it simply suggests that extra steps need to be taken to prevent fluctuations that neither diet nor exercise can fully control.
If insulin is prescribed, your doctor will show you how, when, and how much you would need if ever your blood sugar is high. This can often occur if you get sick or are under extreme stress. It is also important to be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia and the dangers of low blood sugar during pregnancy. While less common in women with gestational diabetes, the use of insulin can increase the risk considerably.
Ultimately, the goal is to keep your blood sugar under control no matter how much insulin it takes. Most women on insulin will take two shots per day, but you may get better control with three. With proper monitoring and guidance from your doctor, you should be able to attain the controls needed to ensure a normal, healthy pregnancy.
Spinal Surgeries And Non
Olsen et al., studied various risk factors related to spinal surgical site infection. They reported serum glucose levels, preoperatively and within five days after the operation, to be significantly higher in patients in whom surgical site infection developed than in uninfected control patients. They concluded that elevated preoperative or postoperative serum glucose level was independently associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection and recommended that the role of hyperglycemia as a risk factor for surgical site infection in patients not previously diagnosed with diabetes should be investigated further .
Also Check: What Is A Normal A1c For A Non Diabetic
Tip : Make Sure You Have Enough Zinc And Chromium
Make sure you have enough zinc and chromium on hand: The trace element chromium is thought to have a particularly strong effect on blood sugar control. In diabetics, chromium, for example, is thought to increase insulin activity and so provide optimal blood sugar management. A chromium shortage, on the other hand, can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. Dietary supplements, wholemeal bread, lentils, and chicken meat are all good sources of chromium.
In addition to chromium, the trace mineral zinc affects blood glucose regulation. Zinc influences insulin synthesis, insulin action, and insulin resistance, among other things. Oysters, wheat bran, edamame, oats, and sunflower seeds contain particularly high levels of zinc.
Blood Glucose And Diabetes
The blood glucose level reveals how much glucose is present in the blood. Glucose in the blood is a vital source of energy for our bodies; in particular, glucose provides energy to the brain and red blood cells. Insulin and glucagon are the two hormones that predominantly control blood glucose levels. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels whereas insulin reduces them. Adrenaline, cortisol, and thyroid hormones, in addition to glucagon, can all contribute to an increase in blood glucose levels.
Insulin works by transferring glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, lowering blood glucose levels. Glucose is then either stored or transformed into energy in the liver and muscle cells in particular. The blood glucose level is lowered again as a result of this procedure.
This system, however, is disrupted in diabetes. Type 1 diabetics have insufficient insulin, whereas type 2 diabetics have adequate insulin but it can no longer transfer glucose into the cells . This leads to a chronically increased blood glucose level in both situations. This can cause major harm to nerves and blood vessels, as well as the eyes and kidneys, in the long run.
You May Like: What Is A High Blood Sugar Reading
Choose The Right Insulin
The right insulin program can make or break your ability to control after-meal spikes. In general, insulins and other medicines that work quickly and for a short time will work better than those that work slowly over a prolonged period.
For instance, rapid-acting insulin analogs , which start working 1015 minutes after injection and peak in about an hour, will cover the after-meal blood glucose rises much better than Regular insulin, which takes 30 minutes to begin working and 23 hours to peak.
Newer ultra-rapid insulins, such as Fiasp , works even faster, with an onset and peak occurring 810 minutes earlier than traditional rapid-acting insulins.
The way insulin is administered can dramatically affect its speed of action. Afrezza is an inhaled insulin formulation that can be used at mealtimes. Because the dry powder is absorbed through the lungs , its onset and peak are much earlier than injected insulin .
Research has also shown that injected insulin can work much faster when the injection site is warmed. This can be accomplished by rubbing the site, immersing in warm water or exercising the muscle near the site. Warming the site causes the blood vessels near the skin to dilate, which allows the insulin to absorb more quickly. By the way, smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict, so quitting smoking might improve your post-meal blood sugar .
You May Like: Normal A1c Level
What Is Hypoglycemia In Newborns How To Treat
Babies can also develop hypoglycemia shortly after birth.
In the first few hours after birth, it may happen that the newborns blood sugar is low as the baby is separated from the supply of glucose which the baby was receiving from the placenta. However, few newborns whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy may be unable to cope with low blood sugar. And so hypoglycemia can occur in newborns, which can be treated quickly in most cases.
A blood test will be done to find out the newborns sugar levels. Frequent feedings should be given to the newborn if the baby is hypoglycemic. Breastfeeding as soon as possible after delivery is the best way to treat hypoglycemia in newborns. Take your pediatricians help for further care and treatment of your newborn.
Summary
It is very important to know about low blood sugar condition that can happen during pregnancy so as to take care of yourself as well as others who happen to have low blood sugar.
Know the symptoms to stop hypoglycemia from worsening by treating it at the right time.
Stick to proper diet and exercise to prevent hypoglycemia. If you are diabetic understand that your chances of getting hypoglycemia is high and so always carry sugary snacks or your doctor prescribed glucagon kit with you.
Low blood sugar during pregnancy is nothing to worry about if treated properly.
Hope you find this article useful. Please share in your comments.
Also Check: Can You Live A Long Life With Diabetes
What If I Am Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes
If you screen positive for gestational diabetes, you will be referred for an appointment with a diabetes educator, who will teach you how to check your blood sugar levels daily. You will also learn about the symptoms of high and low blood-sugar levels.
You are encouraged to work with a nutritionist, who can help you choose the proper foods to eat during pregnancy to manage your blood sugar levels.
Knowing Your Blood Sugar Level
To maintain control over your blood sugar, you will need to test it regularly. Depending on what your doctor tells you, this may mean testing up to five times per day:
- Testing your fasting glucose first thing in the morning before you eat
- Testing one to two hours after breakfast
- Testing one to two hours after lunch
- Testing one to two hours after dinner
- Testing right before you go to bed
Based on your results, you can tell if your fasting glucose is on target and if your levels are on target one hour after eating and two hours after eating .
Moreover, if you keep track of your blood sugar in a journal, including information about your diet and exercise, you can begin to get a grasp on how certain foods or activities affect your blood sugar and make adjustments to keep yourself on target.
Also Check: How Long Do Type 1 Diabetics Live
These Artificial Sweeteners Are Safe In Pregnancy
- Aspartame; Equal, NutraSweet, NatraTaste
Great Expectations Pregnancy Classes
Get ready for the baby! Choose from a variety of classes that prepare moms and partners for pregnancy, birth, baby care, breastfeeding and parenting.
Lactation Consultant Support
Get support for all your breastfeeding needs. Troubleshoot with a lactation consultant, find equipment and supplies, join a support group and more.
Women’s Health Resource Center
Access free health resources here, from classes and webinars to support groups and medical referrals, plus pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding services.
How I Managed My Gestational Diabetes With Diet
I tightened the rope and focused on eating whole foods with lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and legumes such as quinoa and beans. Eating small amounts of healthy fats with eggs and salmon as my primary protein source, along with chia and hemp seeds were other dietary adjustments I made.;
Loading up my diet with lots of vegetables such as green beans, leafy greens, mushrooms, tomato, red pepper, artichokes, beets, carrots, celery, and broccoli was the cornerstone to managing gestational diabetes through diet. Vegetables are some of the best foods to eat to reverse insulin resistance.
The portion size was a big one for me as well. When pregnancy hit, I was nauseous in the first trimester and had to eat a lot to curb nausea. I used to practice intermittent fasting in the morning, but that changed very quickly once I fell pregnant. I found myself waking up at 6 am needing to eat otherwise I would feel increased nausea.
During the second trimester of pregnancy, I felt much better, yet still ate a lot of food. I was growing a baby and felt fat, so why not overindulge sometimes. I am meant to be gaining weight. Looking back, I can see that at times I probably was overeating a bit.
I focused on smaller meals yet still ate at least four times a day. Tuning into my body and hunger levels was crucial. Stopping eating at 80 % full was a blessing that also massively reduced acid reflux that returned during pregnancy.
Also Check: How Long Do Type 1 Diabetics Live
How To Lower High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy
Gestational hypertension is a condition that may develop during pregnancy, particularly in women with high blood pressure, a personal or family history of preeclampsia, obesity, multiple pregnancies or certain conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you should take some steps to stay healthy during pregnancy. At OneHowTo.com we have some tips for you to discover how to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy.
The first thing to know is that even if you do not feel ill, high blood pressure during pregnancy is a condition that requires care and attention otherwise it could lead you to a case of preeclampsia or eclampsia that would jeopardize your health and the baby’s. Therefore, it is advisable to take into account some suggestions to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy and maintain good health.
The first thing you should do in order to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy is to lower your salt intake. This is one of the main triggers of high blood pressure, so we recommend that:
Keep a healthy diet during your pregnancy rich in fruits, vegetables, minimising the consumption of pastries, processed sugars, fast food, fried food and you will greatly help to lower high blood pressure and keep yourself in good condition.
Attend all scheduled reviews and follow the instructions of your specialist for lowering high blood pressure during pregnancy and stay healthy.
Gestational Diabetes Causes And Risk Factors
Gestational diabetes develops when your body isnt able to produce enough of the hormone insulin during pregnancy.;Insulin is necessary to transport blood glucose into the cells.;Without enough insulin, you can build up too much glucose in your blood, leading to a higher-than-normal blood glucose level and perhaps gestational diabetes.
The elevated blood glucose level in gestational diabetes is caused by hormones released by the placenta during pregnancy.;The placenta produces a hormone called the human placental lactogen , also known as human chorionic somatomammotropin .;Its similar to growth hormone , but it actually modifies the mothers metabolism and how she processes carbohydrates and lipids.;HPL actually raises maternal blood glucose level and makes a woman’s body less sensitive to insulinless able to use it properly.;If the body doesnt use insulin as it should, then the blood glucose levels will rise.;The HPL hormone increases the blood glucose level so that the baby can get;the nutrients it needs from the extra glucose in the blood.
At 15 weeks, another hormonehuman placental growth hormonealso increases and causes maternal blood glucose level to rise. This hormone is also supposed to help regulate the mothers blood glucose level to be sure that the baby gets the right amount of needed nutrients.;
While doctors arent clear about why some women develop gestational diabetes and others don’t, there are several risk factors that make it more likely to occur:
Read Also: What Is A Normal A1c For A Non Diabetic
Tips For Controlling Blood Sugar Level During Pregnancy
If you think you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes or find out that your blood glucose levels are indeed high, there are several things you can do to control your blood sugar levels naturally. The following general guidelines can help pregnant ladies keep their sugar levels under control:
1. Watch what you eat
The food you eat has an important role to play in keeping your blood sugar levels steady. While some foods can help stabilise and lower your blood sugar during pregnancy, others can cause your blood glucose levels to spike.
It is crucial, therefore, to watch every bite of food that you put into your mouth. Collaborate with your doctor or health care practitioner to create a diet that is healthy for you. Try cutting back on carbs, have smaller and frequent meals, and increase your fibre intake.
2. Include physical activity
Regular and moderate physical workout is both important and beneficial during pregnancy. While it can ease a number of your pregnancy discomforts, exercise is also an effective way to reduce your blood sugar levels. Try to incorporate walking, swimming, prenatal aerobics, or light running in your daily routine.
However, do not begin any physical activity without consulting your doctor first. Health conditions like asthma and heart disease make it unsafe to exercise during pregnancy and could lead to complications.
3. Maintain a healthy weight gain
4. Keep a daily record of your blood sugar levels
5. Get enough sleep