Gestational diabetes: Insulin and exercise

If you take insulin, it's possible for you to become hypoglycemic (blood glucose level drops below 60) during exercise. Symptoms occur quickly and need to be treated immediately.

Some women with gestational diabetes find that exercising consistently and for the same duration will help avoid exercise-related hypoglycemia.

Avoid exercise when you haven't had any food for 3 to 4 hours.

Tip for Mom

You are never harming yourself if you take glucose tablets or eat a simple sugar food because you suspect you have low blood glucose. If you are injecting insulin, always carry a simple sugar food with you. These include glucose tablets, Lifesaver® candies, jelly beans or raisins.

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider or diabetes educator if you have unexplained hypoglycemia often (two times in one day or two days in a week).

Related Links

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

How exercise affects blood glucose levels

Taking insulin during pregnancy

Allina Pregnancy Care

Allina Community Pharmacies

First published: 11/27/2006
Last updated: 11/27/2006

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts