Diabetes Management In Pregnancy
By editor | July 10, 2007
For the pregnant woman with Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, there are certain changes in the body’s needs. Pregnancy has been called a “diabetogic state.” Pregnancy is stressful to the body, and anything that is stressful to the body results in the release of hormones that allow or cause the blood sugar to become elevated. It is a state of greater stress for the body. The metabolic rate is higher, so the body burns food faster. Greater amounts of food are needed throughout the pregnancy. As greater amounts of food are needed, more insulin is needed. Hormones produced by the placenta also: increase insulin needs. On delivery, the hormones that have resulted in greater body stress stop being released. Less insulin is then needed. Breast-feeding will further reduce the insulin need. If the person has diabetes just during pregnancy, it is possible that the blood-glucose; levels will return to normal four to six weeks after delivery.
Although diabetes may be detected during a routine screening sometime during the 24 to 28 week of gestation, the pregnant woman may come to the doctor’s office because she is feeling unusually tired the result of high blood sugar. High blood sugar also results in blurry vision, sores that don’t heal, and frequency of urination. Symptoms like those of the flu or appendicitis may be felt. Treatment to return the blood-glucose levels to normal makes these symptoms go away. During pregnancy, it is a must to keep blood sugars normal to prevent problems for both mother and baby .
Tagged under:blood glucose levels blood sugars breast feeding Diabetes Treatment during pregnancy gestational diabetes insulin need mother and baby pregnant woman stressful
Topics: Diabetes Treatment |
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.