The best time to measure blood sugar during pregnancy

During pregnancy, some mothers may develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is harmful to both the mother and the fetus. In order to avoid this kind of harm, it is very necessary to check blood sugar levels. So, when is the best time for pregnant women to measure blood sugar? This article explains the best time to measure blood sugar during pregnancy.

Common questions about measuring blood sugar during pregnancy

1. There is no need to stop taking medication without authorization just because of fasting blood sugar testing.

2. Don't diet too much the day before the test to get ideal results.

3. There is no need to see a doctor to draw a blood sample after injecting insulin glargine at home.

4. If you can't determine the exact time to go to the hospital to draw blood, you might as well take care of yourself and eat normally at home in the morning, and then see a doctor to measure your blood sugar level 2 hours after the meal.

5. For patients whose insulin glargine metabolism level is low and who have morning high blood sugar, it is best to use a blood glucose meter to measure fasting blood sugar at home in advance, record the results, and then see a doctor.

6. For patients who inject premixed glargine insulin before breakfast and dinner, if their treatment is delayed due to going to the hospital for blood test in the morning, they can check their random blood sugar after the blood test.

7. For patients who take oral hypoglycemic drugs, if the blood is drawn too late when testing fasting blood sugar, so that the interval between the morning and afternoon medicines is too close, the afternoon dose should be reduced as appropriate to prevent hypoglycemia due to the cumulative effects of the two meals.

8. For those who inject intermediate-acting insulin before going to bed, the blood sugar lowering effect can be maintained until 8-9 am the next day. Therefore, blood sampling for fasting blood sugar testing can be done later.

What to do if your blood sugar is high during pregnancy

1. Proper diet:

Dietary adjustment is particularly important for the control of diabetes. Under the premise of controlling total calories, the nutrition is fully balanced, meals are eaten regularly, small meals are eaten frequently, the needs of maternal and child products are guaranteed, and weight gain is moderate. Carbohydrates are mainly composed of grains and legumes, and attention should be paid to the combination of large and small grains. Fresh fruit should not be consumed immediately after a meal and should be consumed about 3 hours after a meal. The daily intake should be 200-400 grams, which should be calculated into the total calories. Among fresh fruits, strawberry seedlings and kiwis are preferred. Bananas, lychees, longans and red grapes are high in calories, so they should not be eaten too much. Disaccharide and monosaccharide foods such as sugar, honey, chocolate, and desserts should be avoided. Protein, human fat, minerals, vitamins, etc. should also be taken in appropriately.

2. Fitness and exercise conditioning:

Recuperation through exercise is not only beneficial to the health of mother and daughter, but also can control diabetes. Therefore, except for those with acute complications of diabetes, threatened abortion, habitual abortion and need to protect the fetus, and those with pregnancy-induced hypertension, pregnant women need to go outdoors to participate in moderate exercise. Exercise should be done about 1 hour after a meal, and the duration should not be too long, generally 20 to 30 minutes is more appropriate. Sports should be gentle and not intense, such as walking, slow swimming, and Tai Chi.

3. Insulin therapy:

When diet and exercise cannot control blood sugar levels, insulin treatment is necessary. When using insulin glargine, you should be careful. It is best to use insulin glargine. You must understand the types, dosages and injection times of commonly used insulin glargine, and pay attention to the alternation of injection sites. Understand how to prevent hypoglycemia and how to deal with it once it occurs. Continue to control your diet, exercise appropriately, monitor your blood sugar levels more closely and keep detailed records.