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Gestational diabeties: Taking insulin during pregnancy
When your blood glucose levels remain elevated despite meal planning and exercise, insulin must be added to your management plan to keep you and your baby healthy.
Pregnancy requires that your body produce extra amounts of insulin. When your body can't make enough, insulin injections can help you meet the need.
Your health care provider and diabetes educator will teach you:
- how to inject insulin safely and comfortably
- how to prevent hypoglycemia
- exercise precautions when taking insulin
- what to do when you're sick and taking insulin
Determining the right insulin and dosage
Your health care provider will decide what kind of insulin is right for you, how much to use and when you should take it, based on:
- your weight (which changes weekly)
- how far along your pregnancy is
- your meal plan
- your most recent blood glucose levels.
Sometimes, you may need more than one type of insulin. Different types of insulin work at different speeds, and your health care provider may combine insulins to achieve the best results for you.
Keep records
Keep a record of the type and amount of insulin you take. It is very important that you know and remember your insulin type every time you speak with a health care provider.
How to help insulin work best
- Take your insulin at the same times each day as directed.
- Take your insulin every day, even if you feel sick. If you can't eat your usual meal plan, follow sick day tips when taking insulin.
- Don't change your meal plan, exercise, prescribed medications or insulin routines without talking to your health care provider.
Tips for Mom
The insulin you inject only lowers your blood glucose. It does not cross the placenta to your baby.
What about hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is a risk only if you're taking insulin. It does not occur simply because you have gestational diabetes.
Related Links
Giving yourself insulin injections
Sick day tips when taking insulin
Time-action of different insulins
Source: Allina Patient Education, Gestational Diabetes: When You Have Diabetes During Pregnancy, second edition, ISBN 1-931876-21-6
First published: 11/27/2006
Last updated: 11/27/2006
Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts