Monitoring Blood Sugar with Gestational Diabetes at Home

Introduction

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It affects about 10% of pregnant women. If you have gestational diabetes, your body cannot make enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get from your blood into your cells for energy. When you don’t have enough insulin, your blood sugar levels can get too high.

High blood sugar levels can be harmful to you and your baby. They can increase your risk of problems such as premature birth, birth defects, and cesarean delivery. They can also make it more difficult for your baby to maintain a healthy weight after birth.

Monitoring your blood sugar levels at home is an important part of managing gestational diabetes. By keeping track of your blood sugar levels, you can help to keep them within a healthy range and reduce the risk of complications.

How to Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels

You will need a blood sugar meter, test strips, and lancets to monitor your blood sugar levels at home. Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to use these devices correctly.

To test your blood sugar, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Insert a test strip into the blood sugar meter.
3. Prick your finger with a lancet.
4. Apply a small drop of blood to the test strip.
5. Read the results on the blood sugar meter.

You should test your blood sugar levels:

• Before meals
• 1 hour after meals
• Before bedtime

You may also need to test your blood sugar levels more often if you are taking insulin or other diabetes medications.

What to Do if Your Blood Sugar Levels Are Too High

If your blood sugar levels are too high, you should:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts.
• Exercise for 30 minutes.
• Check your blood sugar levels again in 1 hour.

If your blood sugar levels are still too high, you should call your doctor or diabetes educator.

What to Do if Your Blood Sugar Levels Are Too Low

If your blood sugar levels are too low, you should:

• Eat a sugary snack, such as a piece of candy or a glass of juice.
• Check your blood sugar levels again in 15 minutes.

If your blood sugar levels are still too low, you should call your doctor or diabetes educator.

Tips for Managing Gestational Diabetes

In addition to monitoring your blood sugar levels, there are other things you can do to manage gestational diabetes, including:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Taking insulin or other diabetes medications if needed
• Monitoring your weight
• Seeing your doctor or diabetes educator regularly

By following these tips, you can help to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range and reduce the risk of complications.

Conclusion

Monitoring your blood sugar levels at home is an important part of managing gestational diabetes. By keeping track of your blood sugar levels, you can help to keep them within a healthy range and reduce the risk of complications.