Maintaining a healthy blood sugar balance is vital for all phases of life, and not just for those with diabetes. However, pregnancy offers a unique stress on the body that makes it even more important. From controlling mood swings to cravings to yours and your baby’s health, blood sugar can be a helpful focus throughout pregnancy and beyond.
A healthy pregnancy may rely on healthy blood sugar
Gestational diabetes is tested for between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Many women will, even if they did not have diabetes beforehand, get diagnosed with this condition. In these cases, their doctor will work with them to manage their diet, weight gain and blood sugar to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Diabetes and elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy can lead to quite a few risks for both mother and baby.
Even if you are not diagnosed with a blood sugar condition such as diabetes or hypoglycemia, pregnancy is still an important time to make sure you are getting all the healthy forms of glucose you need and avoiding foods that may spike your blood sugar levels. Your needs will change throughout pregnancy and even vary from person to person.
A look at blood sugar during pregnancy
Your body wants all the necessary glucose to travel to your fetus during pregnancy to ensure proper development while also maintaining maternal nutritional needs. In early pregnancy, your glucose levels are likely to drop due to an increased blood volume. Some believe that morning sickness can even be a symptom of this blood sugar drop, but there may be a variety of related factors.
Throughout the rest of pregnancy, insulin sensitivity is altered, increasing early on and decreasing later. This is due to the release of specific hormones and an increase in adipose tissue (body fat). When cells are less sensitive to insulin, it leaves more glucose in the blood, spiking blood sugar levels. Insulin sensitivity reaches its lowest point during the third trimester.
Between hormone fluctuations and changing blood sugar needs, it’s no wonder that many women experience mood changes, fatigue and more during pregnancy!
Here are some helpful, simple ways to help manage your blood sugar during pregnancy and into your postpartum phase:
- Maintain a healthy weight gain: Speak to your provider to learn what your healthy range is, depending on your BMI and other factors.
- Choose fiber-rich carbohydrates: Fiber moderates how quickly your body absorbs the carbohydrates you eat, which then turn into glucose. You want complex, or slow-burning carbs, that are high in fiber such as oats, beans and legumes, starchy vegetables and fruits.
- Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages: Added sugars are a nightmare for glucose levels, especially when packed into sugary drinks. Hydrate with water, sparkling water or homemade sugar-free flavored waters instead.
- Exercise regularly: Movement increases the sugar uptake in your cells, helping to control blood sugar for up to 24 hours. Find something you love doing that is healthy for your stage of pregnancy and speak to your provider before beginning any exercise program!
- Manage your stress: The release of the stress hormone cortisol influences your glucose metabolism. Use stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, gentle exercise and breathwork as well as resting or napping when needed.
- Prioritize sleep: Because poor sleep creates a stress response in your body, it can impact your blood sugar levels as well as immune system function, mood and more. Although 7-9 hours are recommended, this can be difficult for some women, especially as they reach the final stages of pregnancy. In this case, making sure you get adequate rest throughout your day can help.
Pregnancy is a time of many ups and downs, but your blood sugar doesn’t need to be one of them! For more help balancing your blood sugar, speak to your Hancock Health provider today.