Pregnancy is a joyous time when you discover all of the changes your body supports to create a healthy baby. Some of the changes are fun to watch, such as your ever-growing belly. Others are not so appealing and could even become dangerous -- like a change in your blood sugar levels. Pregnant women need to keep their blood sugar levels as stable as possible to encourage normal development in your child.
Normal Blood Sugar Levels
The American Diabetes Association's recommendation for categorizing blood sugar levels for non-pregnant adults falls into three distinct categories: normal, impaired and diabetic. Testing blood sugar is generally done after you have fasted for at least 8 hours. Normal glucose levels range between 70 and 99 mmol/L -- millimoles per liter. You may be diagnosed with pre-diabetes if your fasting blood sugar measures from 100 to 125 mmol/L. You're diagnosed with diabetes if two separate fasting glucose tests indicate levels of 126 mmol/L or above.
Glucose in Pregnancy
Your glucose levels during pregnancy should be slightly lower than normal, but the "normal for pregnancy" range varies a bit among practitioners. The Ohio State University guidelines for blood sugar in pregnant women recommend levels from 60 to 95 mmol/L upon waking, which is slightly lower than the ADA's "normal" of 70 to 99. Blood sugar readings 2 hours after eating that come under 120 mmol/L are acceptable for pregnant women, whereas non-pregnant adults' glucose tolerance is considered normal at 140 mmol/L or lower. The ADA states that your sugar levels during pregnancy may indicate gestational diabetes if your tolerance measures between 130 and 140/mmol/L 1 hour after drinking a "glucose load" -- a sugary beverage used during routine pregnancy screenings.
Risks
Monitoring your blood sugar to keep your levels on the low side of normal is important during pregnancy to reduce health risks to you and your baby. High blood sugar can lead to pre-eclampsia, a form of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure that can be dangerous to both you and your baby. Babies born from mothers with poorly controlled gestational diabetes are more likely to be larger, and may have underdeveloped lungs. Your baby may also have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life if you experienced high blood sugar levels during your pregnancy; some babies born from mothers with gestational babies have a lower-than-normal sensitivity to insulin as well.
Fun Facts
Your sleep habits may predict whether or not your blood sugars run high during pregnancy. Northwestern University researchers, headed by Dr. Francesca Facco, reported in June 2009 that pregnant women who snore at least three nights per week have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes than those who do not snore. The link between the two seemingly disparate events is unclear, but Facco's team theorizes that when you snore, your blood pressure rises, which can lead to other changes in your body, including an increase in inflammation. The inflammation and metabolic changes that occur in your body can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
References
- Lab Tests Online; Glucose Tests; March 2008
- The Ohio State University Medical Center: High Blood Sugar in Pregnancy
- Science Daily;Mothers' High Blood Sugar in Pregnancy Is Linked to Children's Reduced Insulin Sensitivity; June 2010
- ABC News Health; Frequent Snoring in Pregnancy Could Signal Blood Sugar Trouble; Jennifer Thomas; June 2009
