When a pregnant woman has ketones in her urine, she is either already a diabetic or may have developed gestational diabetes – diabetes that occurs when you are pregnant. Diabetic women make up approximately 4 percent of all pregnant women in the United States, according to the American Diabetic Association. Ketones in the urine are a sign that the blood sugar is not under control, and you should not exercise unless it is approved by a health care professional.
Blood Sugar in Pregnancy
Abnormal blood sugars in pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, so it is very important to keep your blood sugar under control when you are pregnant. If you are already a diabetic, you may be on medication to control your blood sugars and testing your blood sugar and urine is a normal part of your daily routine. If you develop gestational diabetes, you need to learn diabetes-management strategies immediately to protect your health and that of your baby.
Exercise and Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends 30 minutes or more of exercise daily when you are pregnant. The American Diabetes Association agrees with this advice as long as you don’t have medical or obstetrical complications. The ACOG recommends walking, stationary bicycling, low-impact aerobics and swimming; your exercise program should also include some flexibility exercises, such as stretching or yoga.
Ketonuria
Ketones in the urine, called ketonuria, indicate your body is using fat for energy instead of glucose. Ketonuria is more common in type 1 diabetes but can also be seen in type 2 and gestational diabetes. Your body is using fat because it doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose for energy. A small amount of ketones is an early sign of ketone buildup; moderate or large amounts of ketones can be a signal that something is seriously wrong.
Ketonuria and Exercise
If your blood sugar is high and you have ketones in the urine, it is a danger signal that your diabetes is out of control. You should not exercise because exercise increases the demand for glucose and can make the situation worse. Even if your ketones are negative, you should be cautious with exercise or avoid it entirely if your blood sugar is over 300 milligrams per deciliter, according to an article in the October 2005 issue of "Clinical Diabetes."
Considerations and Warnings
In addition to ketonuria, there are some risks to exercise when you are pregnant. Your balance changes as the uterus enlarges and some joints and ligaments become looser. Strenuous exercise may induce uterine contractions; stop exercising immediately and consult your obstetrician or midwife if contractions occur. After the first trimester, you should not exercise lying on your back because this may place too much stress on the abdominal muscles.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Gestational Diabetes
- MayoClinic.com: Gestational Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Management and Exercise in Pregnant Patients with Diabetes
- Sports Medicine: Physical Activity and Pregnancy: Cardiovascular Adaptations, Recommendations and Pregnancy Outcomes
- American Diabetes Association: Checking for Ketones
