1. It's Often a Sign of Diabetes
Changes in hormones cause some women to become diabetic during pregnancy even though they never suffered from the condition before. Researchers don't know the reason for the onset of what is called gestational diabetes, but guess it's an unfortunate consequence of the rush of hormones needed to promote the baby's development. Unable to properly use insulin, which helps sugar enter the cells where it is converted to energy, glucose builds up in the blood leading to hyperglycemia. The mother must inject more insulin into her body to metabolize the excess glucose, which could lead to too little sugar in the blood, or hypoglycemia.
2. Listen to Your Body, Not the Numbers
Low blood sugar in pregnant women is defined as less than 60 mg of glucose per deciliter of blood (normal range is 70 to 120 mg/dL), but some women feel symptoms when their numbers are higher. If you feel symptoms of shaking, sweating, confusion and dizziness, then check your blood glucose levels and eat a snack. You may be at the brink of a hypoglycemic attack even though your levels have not dipped below the threshold.
3. Monitor the Disease and Your Baby Will Be Fine
Managed hypoglycemia will not hurt the baby, according to the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, but diabetes could be harmful. In mothers with gestational diabetes the pancreas overproduces insulin because it's not absorbed properly in the body. While insulin doesn't cross over the placenta, glucose does and can build up in the baby, forcing its liver to produce more insulin to offset the imbalance. The excess energy is stored as fat. The baby may be born heavy (known as macrosemia) with a predisposition for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
4. Follow a Meal Plan
Pregnancy is notorious for the food cravings it provokes, but hypoglycemic patients should try to resist unhealthy cravings as much as possible. Staying on a strict diet won't necessarily prevent all bouts of hypoglycemia, but it will maintain balance in the body and lessen the chance of a sudden attack. Lean meats, whole grains and vegetables are great options that keep blood glucose in check. Eating six small meals a day will also help stabilize the levels.
5. Exercise Moderately
Since working out lowers blood glucose levels, intense bouts of strenuous activity or exercising right after meals may aggravate hypoglycemia. Try working out about an hour after a meal and monitor your blood glucose levels periodically. If blood glucose starts dipping below 100 mg/dL, eat a snack. Exercise with a friend, carry food with you, and wear a diabetes bracelet and ID card to be safe.
