Understanding Gestational Diabetes: Glucose Monitoring
Fetal Monitoring, Gestational Diabetes, Integrative Medicine, Pregnancy and Birth, Weight Management What is self blood glucose monitoring? Once you are diagnosed as having gestational diabetes, you and your health care providers will want to know more about your day-to-day blood sugar levels. It is important to know how your exercise habits and eating patterns affect your blood sugars. Also, as your pregnancy progresses, the placenta will release more of the hormones that work against insulin. Testing your blood sugar level at important times during the day will help determine if proper diet and weight gain have kept blood sugar levels normal or if extra insulin is needed to help keep the fetus protected. Self blood glucose monitoring is done by using a special device to obtain a drop of your blood and test it for your blood sugar level. Your doctor or other health care provider will explain the procedure to you. Make sure that you are shown how to do the testing before attempting it on your own. Some items you may use to monitor your blood sugar levels are: Lancet–a disposable, sharp needle-like sticker for pricking the finger to obtain a drop of blood. Lancet device–a springloaded finger sticking device. Test strip–a chemically treated strip to which a drop of blood is applied. Color chart–a chart used to compare against the color on the test strip for blood sugar level. Glucose meter–a device which “reads” the test strip and gives you a digital number value. Your health care provider can advise you where to obtain the self-monitoring equipment in your area. You may want to inquire if any places rent or loan glucose meters, since it is likely you won't be needing it after your baby is born. How often and when should I test? You may need to test your blo Continue reading >>
- Exercise and Glucose Metabolism in Persons with Diabetes Mellitus: Perspectives on the Role for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Continuous Versus Flash Glucose Monitoring To Reduce Hypoglycemia In Type 1 Diabetes
What Are Blood Sugar Target Ranges? What Is Normal Blood Sugar Level?
Understanding blood sugar target ranges to better manage your diabetes As a person with diabetes, you may or may not know what your target ranges should be for your blood sugars first thing in the morning, before meals, after meals, or at bedtime. You may or may not understand what blood sugar ranges are for people without diabetes. You may or may not understand how your A1C correlates with your target ranges. How do you get a clear picture of what is going on with your blood sugar, and how it could be affecting your health? In this article, we will look at what recommended blood sugar target ranges are for people without diabetes. We will look at target ranges for different times of the day for people with diabetes. We will look at target ranges for Type 1 versus Type 2 diabetes. Is there a difference? We will also look at what blood sugars should be during pregnancy for those with gestational diabetes. We will look at other factors when determining blood sugar targets, such as: Age Other health conditions How long you’ve had diabetes for Stress Illness Lifestyle habits and activity levels We will see how these factors impact target ranges for your blood sugars when you have diabetes. We will learn that target ranges can be individualized based on the factors above. We will learn how target ranges help to predict the A1C levels. We will see how if you are in your target range, you can be pretty sure that your A1C will also be in target. We will see how you can document your blood sugar patterns in a notebook or in an “app,” and manage your blood sugars to get them in your target ranges. First, let’s look at the units by which blood sugars are measured… How is blood sugar measured? In the United States, blood sugar is measured in milligrams per deciliter (by w Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
DEFINITION, DETECTION, AND DIAGNOSIS Definition Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy (1). The definition applies whether insulin or only diet modification is used for treatment and whether or not the condition persists after pregnancy. It does not exclude the possibility that unrecognized glucose intolerance may have antedated or begun concomitantly with the pregnancy. Approximately 7% of all pregnancies are complicated by GDM, resulting in more than 200,000 cases annually. The prevalence may range from 1 to 14% of all pregnancies, depending on the population studied and the diagnostic tests employed. Detection and diagnosis Risk assessment for GDM should be undertaken at the first prenatal visit. Women with clinical characteristics consistent with a high risk of GDM (marked obesity, personal history of GDM, glycosuria, or a strong family history of diabetes) should undergo glucose testing (see below) as soon as feasible. If they are found not to have GDM at that initial screening, they should be retested between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Women of average risk should have testing undertaken at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Low-risk status requires no glucose testing, but this category is limited to those women meeting all of the following characteristics: Weight normal before pregnancy Member of an ethnic group with a low prevalence of GDM No known diabetes in first-degree relatives No history of abnormal glucose tolerance No history of poor obstetric outcome A fasting plasma glucose level >126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) or a casual plasma glucose >200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) meets the threshold for the diagnosis of diabetes, if confirmed on a subsequent day, and precludes the need for Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Timing of Delivery in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Need for Person-Centered, Shared Decision-Making
- Quality of Life in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
Blood Sugar Levels For Pregnant Women With Diabetes
Whether you had diabetes before you got pregnant or you developed diabetes during your pregnancy, you'll need to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels. Tight control will help you avoid complications and long-term health problems for both you and your baby. You're eating differently because your body needs more energy to help your baby grow and be healthy. And your changing hormones affect how your body makes and uses insulin. In the later parts of your pregnancy, you may become more insulin resistant, so blood sugar builds up to higher levels. How often should you check your blood sugar? Pre-existing diabetes: Before and after meals and before bedtime If you are pregnant and have type 1 diabetes, your doctor might sometimes ask you to check your blood sugar in the middle of the night, around 3 a.m. You should check your fasting urine ketones every day, too. For every type of diabetes, if you're pregant you need to see your doctor at least once a month, perhaps as often as once a week. Continue reading >>
Managing Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy when your body cannot cope with the extra demand for insulin production resulting in high blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes is managed by monitoring blood glucose levels, adopting a healthy eating plan and performing regular physical activity. Effective management of gestational diabetes will reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and the birth of your baby. Your healthcare team including your doctor, specialist, dietician and Credential Diabetes Educator, can help you with blood glucose monitoring, healthy eating and physical activity. There are three basic components in effectively managing gestational diabetes: monitoring blood glucose levels adopting a healthy eating pattern physical activity. Gestational diabetes can often initially be managed with healthy eating and regular physical activity. However, for some women with gestational diabetes, insulin injections will be necessary for the rest of the pregnancy. Approximately 10 – 20% of women will need insulin; however, once the baby is born insulin is no longer needed. This is safe for both you and your baby. After the baby is born, gestational diabetes usually disappears. A special blood glucose test (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) (OGTT) is performed six weeks after delivery to ensure that blood glucose levels have returned to normal. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life and should be tested for diabetes at least every 2 – 3 years. If gestational diabetes is not well looked after (blood glucose levels remain high) it may result in problems such as a large baby, miscarriage and stillbirth. A large baby can create the risk of injury at delivery, caesarean delivery, Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes is an endocrine system disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels and amino acids) or does not use it properly. When a pregnant woman develops diabetes during pregnancy, gestational diabetes is diagnosed. It is thought that gestational diabetes might affect three to 10 percent of all pregnancies, usually during the final trimester. There are two types of gestational diabetes: Type A1: Patients typically have an abnormal glucose tolerance test but are able to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range with dietary changes alone. Type A2: Patients typically have an abnormal glucose tolerance test and abnormal glucose levels during fasting and after meals. Type A2 diabetes is usually managed with either oral medications or subcutaneous insulin. Most women with gestational diabetes are asymptomatic. Causes and Risk Factors Gestational diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy, with about 10 percent of cases being in women who had diabetes before getting pregnant. These women may have an increased risk of stillbirth and preeclampsia (high blood pressure). If the mother has high blood sugars (glucose) prior to conceiving, there may be problems with the structure of the baby's heart, spine or kidneys, with the risk for birth defects four times greater than in women who develop diabetes during pregnancy. Careful management of diabetes before conception is critical. Ninety percent of the cases involving diabetes during pregnancy are classified as gestational diabetes.This can lead to baby having excessive birth weight, delivery problems, a cesarean section and preeclampsia (high blood pressure). The baby may be born prematurely and, as a result, be of low birth weight. Other risk Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Pregnancy: Gestational Diabetes
www.CardioSmart.org Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy. When you have this condition, insulin (a hormone in your body) is not able to keep your blood sugar in a normal range. In most cases, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy. But you may be at risk of having it again in another pregnancy. You also are at risk of having type 2 diabetes later in life. If you have gestational diabetes, you will need to make certain changes in the way you eat and how often you exercise to help keep your blood sugar level within a target range. As you get farther along in your pregnancy, your body makes hormones that make it hard for insulin to work. This can make it harder and harder to control your blood sugar. If it is not possible to control your blood sugar with food and exercise, you may also need to take diabetes medicine or give yourself shots of insulin. How can it affect your baby? Most womenwith gestational diabetes give birth to healthy babies. But some babies may: • Grow too large in the womb. Your blood sugar passes to your unborn baby. A baby that gets toomuch sugar can grow larger than normal. A large baby can be injured during vaginal birth and may need surgical delivery by C-section. • Have problems after birth. Some babies have low blood sugar, low blood calcium levels, high bilirubin levels, too many red blood cells, or other problems that need treatment. What should you do at home? Here are some ways to care for yourself: • If your doctor prescribes insulin, follow his or her directions. Your doctor will tell you how and when to take your insulin. • Check your blood sugar. Your doctor will tell you how and when to check your blood sugar. • Keep track of your baby's movements. Your doctormay ask you to report howman Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Pregnancy
Executive summary iv Key priorities for implementation iv Scope and purpose of the guideline 1 Purpose 1 Definitions for terms used in this guideline 1 The need for the guideline 2 Scope of the guideline 2 Target audience 2 Treaty of Waitangi 2 Guideline development process 3 Funding of the guideline 3 Summary of recommendations 4 1 Screening for probable undiagnosed diabetes in early pregnancy using HbA1c 4 2 Diagnosis of gestational diabetes at 24–28 weeks 5 3 Prevention of gestational diabetes 7 4 Treatment of women with gestational diabetes 8 5 Timing and mode of birth 10 6 Immediate postpartum care 11 7 Information and follow-up 12 8 Postpartum screening 13 9 Gestational diabetes and risk of type 2 diabetes 15 References 16 Continue reading >>
Testing Blood Sugar Levels
Why are we testing and monitoring blood sugar levels? Anyone diagnosed with gestational diabetes should regularly test their blood sugar levels. Sometimes ladies that are higher risk or classed as borderline, or those that have had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies may also be advised to test and monitor levels. This is the best way to see what is happening with your blood sugar levels and how much glucose is remaining in your blood after eating and therefore being passed on to your baby. It's just a guide These capillary tests are a 'guideline' only and not 100% accurate. The only way to get an accurate blood glucose test result is from a blood test which has been analysed in a sterile laboratory environment. Therefore if you test multiple fingers, one after another, you could get different readings each time. Many ladies get frustrated when they hear this and think what is the point if the tests are not 100%, but for a mobile device they do a pretty good job of building up a good picture as to what's happening and a guide is much better than not be aware at all. If you feel there are any inaccuracies with your test monitor then please consult your healthcare professional. Large differences in readings may mean that your machine is faulty or could need calibrating. Test times and targets Different test times and targets are used all across the UK and Ireland, even a hospital a few miles away may have different guidance to yours. Please follow the guidance YOU have been given from your diabetes team/consultant and medical professionals. You may wish to take additional tests, but it important to provide your diabetes team with the information they require. Here are some examples of test times used: one hour post meals two hours post meals pre meals pre meals a Continue reading >>
Blood Glucose Monitoring
One of the main aims of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose levels within a specified target range. The key is balancing your food with your activity, lifestyle and diabetes medicines. Blood glucose monitoring can help you understand the link between blood glucose, food, exercise and insulin. Over time your readings will provide you and your health professionals with the information required to determine the best management strategy for your diabetes. Maintaining good blood glucose control is your best defence to reduce the chances of developing complications from diabetes. Self-blood glucose monitoring allows you to check your blood glucose levels as often as you need to or as recommended by your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator. To test blood glucose levels, you need: A blood glucose meter A lancet device with lancets Test strips. Blood glucose meters are usually sold as kits giving you all the equipment you need to start. There are many different types, offering different features and at different prices to meet individual needs. Most of these are available from Diabetes Australia in your state or territory, pharmacies and some diabetes centres. Your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator can help you choose the meter that’s best for you, and your Credentialled Diabetes Educator or pharmacist can show you how to use your meter to get accurate results. To test your blood glucose levels, you prick your finger with the lancet and add a small drop of blood onto a testing strip. This strip is then inserted into the meter, which reads the strip and displays a number – your blood glucose level. When and how often you should test your blood glucose levels varies depending on each individual, the type of diabetes and the tablets and/or insulin being us Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
What Is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes sometimes develops when a woman is pregnant. It’s when the blood glucose level (blood sugar level) of the mother goes too high during pregnancy. Having an elevated blood glucose level during pregnancy can cause problems for your baby—if it’s left untreated. Fortunately, doctors are vigilant about checking for gestational diabetes so that it can be identified and effectively managed. A pro-active treatment plan helps you have a good pregnancy and protects the health of your baby. Gestational Diabetes Symptoms Gestational diabetes doesn’t often cause noticeable symptoms for the mother. Other types of diabetes (eg, type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes) do cause symptoms such as increased thirst, but that is hardly ever noticed in gestational diabetes. Because there aren’t often symptoms, it’s very important to be tested for a high blood glucose level when you’re pregnant. (Your doctor will most likely test you for gestational diabetes sometime between the 24th and 28th week. You can learn more about the diagnostic process here.) Then your doctor will know if you need to be treated for gestational diabetes. Gestational Diabetes Causes and Risk Factors Gestational diabetes develops when your body isn’t able to produce enough of the hormone insulin during pregnancy. Insulin is necessary to transport glucose—what your body uses for energy—into the cells. Without enough insulin, you can build up too much glucose in your blood, leading to a higher-than-normal blood glucose level and perhaps gestational diabetes. The elevated blood glucose level in gestational diabetes is caused by hormones released by the placenta during pregnancy. The placenta produces a hormone called the human placental lactogen (HPL), also Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
What Is The Most Effective Blood Sugar Range To Guide Treatment For Women Who Develop Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (gmd) In Their Pregnancy?
What is the issue? Up to a quarter of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) depending on their ethnicity and the diagnostic criteria used. GDM is evident as high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) during pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in the urine during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia). These women are more likely to have a caesarean birth, develop type 2 diabetes, postnatal depression, and cardiovascular disease later on in life. The high blood sugar levels that are associated with GDM often return to normal as soon as the baby is born, but women with GDM are at risk of again developing GDM in future pregnancies. Babies whose mothers have been diagnosed with GDM are at an increased risk of having a birthweight greater than 4000 g, increased risk of birth trauma because of their size and developing breathing difficulties after birth. The babies are also at risk of future obesity and type 2 diabetes. Why is this important? Women with GDM are treated with the aims of controlling high maternal blood sugar levels and reducing the risks of GDM for the mother and the baby. Blood sugar control is monitored by measuring blood sugar concentrations to ensure they are maintained within a pre-defined level or range. The blood sugar results are usually obtained by the mother using a finger prick to collect a drop of her blood on a test strip, which is inserted into a small machine (a glucometer) that reads the sugar level of the blood on the test strip. The glucometer reading alerts the pregnant woman to her current blood sugar level and is used to guide her treatment. For example, how many units of insulin she requires before eating. However, it is currently unclear how to advise pregna Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
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What Are The Ideal Levels Of Blood Sugar?
A blood sugar or blood glucose chart identifies ideal blood sugar levels throughout the day, including before and after meals. Doctors use blood sugar charts to set target goals and monitor diabetes treatment plans. Blood sugar charts also help those with diabetes assess and self-monitor blood sugar test results. What is a blood sugar chart? Blood sugar charts act as a reference guide for blood sugar test results. As such, blood sugar charts are important tools for diabetes management. Most diabetes treatment plans involve keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal or target goals as possible. This requires frequent at-home and doctor-ordered testing, along with an understanding of how results compare to target levels. To help interpret and assess blood sugar results, the charts outline normal and abnormal blood sugar levels for those with and without diabetes. In the United States, blood sugar charts typically report sugar levels in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). In the United Kingdom and many other countries, blood sugar is reported in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A1C blood sugar recommendations are frequently included in blood sugar charts. A1C results are often described as both a percentage and an average blood sugar level in mg/dL. An A1C test measures the average sugar levels over a 3-month period, which gives a wider insight into a person's overall management of their blood sugar levels. Blood sugar chart guidelines Appropriate blood sugar levels vary throughout the day and from person to person. Blood sugars are often lowest before breakfast and in the lead up to meals. Blood sugars are often highest in the hours following meals. People with diabetes will often have higher blood sugar targets or acceptable ranges than those without the condition. These Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes: Target Blood Sugar Levels
Topic Overview It is important to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range during your pregnancy. Healthy blood sugar levels for women with gestational diabetes Before breakfast Healthy level 1 hour after meals 95 mg/dL or less 140 mg/dL or less Note: If you have gestational diabetes, you may experience weakness, sweating, and hunger if your blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dL. These are symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be serious if it is not treated. As soon as these symptoms develop, eat some food that contains sugar to raise your blood sugar level. Continue reading >>
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- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
New Thresholds For Diagnosis Of Diabetes In Pregnancy
Share Midwives should diagnose women with gestational diabetes if they either have a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.6 mmol/litre or above, or a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 7.8 mmol/litre or above, according to NICE. Midwives should diagnose women with gestational diabetes if they either have a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.6 mmol/litre or above, or a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 7.8 mmol/litre or above, according to NICE. Updated guidelines on diabetes in pregnancy lower the fasting plasma glucose thresholds for diagnosis, and include new recommendations on self-management for women with type 1 diabetes. Around 35,000 women have either pre-existing or gestational diabetes each year in England and Wales. Nearly 90 per cent of the women who have diabetes during pregnancy, have gestational diabetes, which may or may not resolve after pregnancy. Rates have increased in recent years to due rising obesity rates among the general population, and increasing number of pregnancies among older women. Of the women with diabetes in pregnancy who do not have gestational diabetes, 7.5 per cent of women have type 1 diabetes, and the remainder have type 2 diabetes, both of which have also increased recently. Following a number of developments, such as new technologies and research on diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes, NICE has updated its guidelines on diabetes in pregnancy. Diagnosis Among the new recommendations are that a woman should be diagnosed with gestational diabetes if she has either a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.6 mmol/litre or above, or a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 7.8 mmol/litre or above. NICE says this could help tackle current variation in the number in the glucose levels used for diagnosing gestational diabetes, and may lead to an incr Continue reading >>
