5 Best ways to maintain blood sugar level during Pregnancy
Learning about controlling blood sugar levels is crucial for you and your baby. During Pregnancy, the chances are that you may develop a high blood sugar level known as gestational diabetes. It is when there is a high amount of glucose in the mother because she cannot produce insulin or has strong insulin resistance during Pregnancy. Such type of diabetes develops in the second trimester that ultimately goes away after childbirth. But having elevated blood glucose puts your health is not only in danger but also your child’s. However, you can control it in various ways apart from supplements through a controlled diet and exercise to achieve a healthy pregnancy.
Why is a normal blood sugar level important in Pregnancy?
Having complications in Pregnancy puts two lives at risk; most concerning is the unborn child preparing to come into this world.
- Diabetes while pregnant puts your child at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes can lead to infant mortality or birth defects in the baby of a diabetic mother.
- High glucose levels can also lead to a condition known as fetal macrosomia. This happens when the baby stores the extra glucose as body fat in response to high blood glucose production in the mother. Consequently, when the baby reaches the gestational age, his body size will be larger than typical.
- More than 50% of women facing gestational diabetes during Pregnancy will likely develop diabetes type 2 within 10 to 15 years.
How to maintain your blood sugar level?
To avoid the risk of getting gestational diabetes, the doctor prescribes you blood sugar medicine in your first trimester to control your sugar levels. But sometimes, due to several reasons, your urine tests show high levels of blood glucose. Therefore, you must adopt changes to your lifestyle to achieve normal blood sugar levels. Let’s find out what are these 5 best ways:
1- Healthy diet choices & routine
Making healthy food choices is the most crucial factor for pregnant women. The main focus is put on dietary intake when you have to tackle complications. Especially with high blood glucose levels, you must watch what you eat. To achieve normal blood sugar levels, you must not eat too much at once rather than many meals with specific breaks in a day. Moreover, you must limit your sugary diet and watchfully eat desserts or fruits. Also, controlled portions of carbs or starchy food intake are crucial as carbohydrates produce glucose. Following a strict diet is important as your child relies on you for balanced nutrition.
2- Incorporate physical activity
It is understandable for pregnant women to be less mobile and low on energy. But when there is a risk of diabetes, you must include any form of physical activity in your routine. It will not only ease your pregnancy discomforts but also help regulate blood levels. Physical activities may include exercise, walking, prenatal aerobics, yoga, or swimming. However, do not begin any activity without proper checkups and consultation from your doctor.
3- Maintain your weight gain
It is essential to keep an eye on weight gain as gaining too much weight or losing too much weight can indicate a problem. Weight gain is closely associated with getting gestational as a major cause of it. Therefore, you should first discuss it with your doctor. The healthy range of your body mass index (BMI) or weight. This is only achievable if the above-mentioned ways are adequately followed.
4- Monitor your blood glucose levels
If you want to keep your blood sugar under control while pregnant, you should start by measuring your glucose levels regularly. Keep a detailed record of your results and details about your food and exercise routine. It can help you determine if your treatment strategy is working or needs to be tweaked. Furthermore, you may also begin to notice how certain foods and activities alter your blood glucose levels. This could mean testing up to five times each day, depending on what your doctor says:
· Check your fasting glucose level first thing in the morning before breakfast
· You must test one to two hours later after breakfast
· One to two hours later after lunch
· Few hours later after dinner
· Finally, conduct a test before you go to sleep
Based on your results, you can tell if your fasting glucose is within normal ranges (no more than 95 mg/dl), as well as if your levels are normal within one hour after eating (no more than 140 mg/dl) and two hours after eating (no more than 145 mg/dl).
5- Get enough sleep
Insufficient or no sleep can lead to gestational diabetes in pregnant women, according to a recent study published by the University of Washington School of Medicine. Thus, to avoid complications throughout Pregnancy, you must get adequate sleep to control your blood sugar levels. Make sleep a priority by limiting screen time, exercising regularly, and eating healthy.
So, if you are at risk of getting gestational diabetes or suffering from it. Follow these 5 best ways and incorporate them into your lifestyle to see transformational magic in your pregnancy. But if your doctor has prescribed you supplements for diabetes, head over to our website Gloss Me Up and get the right supplement to regulate your blood sugar level.
Meta Title: How to Maintain Blood Sugar during Pregnancy
Meta Description: Blood sugar level arises in pregnant women due to high glucose release. There are 5 best ways to adopt during pregnancy to maintain blood sugar level
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