Low Sugar and Pregnancy Risks Associated With Such a Condition

Last updated on August 1st, 2022

During pregnancy, a woman experiences several changes in her body. The hormonal levels change and so does her requirement for energy to support the growth of fetus. Thus, it is mandatory that the pregnant lady goes for regular checks up and avoid the causes that can lead to sugar fluctuations. Both increase and decrease in sugar levels are harmful to the child and mother and result in complications during childbirth. Read this blog to know about the relationship between low sugar and pregnancy.

Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose or blood sugar from the blood to the body’s cells, where it is stored for energy. During pregnancy, the body produces more insulin for the baby’s development. In certain cases, it is seen that during pregnancy the body becomes more resistant to insulin. Thus, many women during their pregnancy phase develop diabetes (gestational diabetes).

The chances of having high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) are more common in pregnancy, because of the changes in the body during pregnancy. How the body reacts to insulin can also cause blood sugar levels to drop to dangerously low levels. Thus, it causes a condition called hypoglycemia. It is a case where blood sugar is less than 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg\dl).

Hypoglycemia during pregnancy is common amongst women with diabetes. A Healthy Diet Plan, safe and effective fitness regimen, proper sleeping pattern, and other lifestyle modifications help in maintaining blood sugar at healthy levels throughout pregnancy and after.

Also Read: Normal blood sugar level after meal

Causes of Low Sugar During Pregnancy

There is an underlying cause of diabetes in pregnant women in case of hypoglycemia.Thus, women who are not diabetic before usually do not face this issue. However, women suffering from it find it difficult to concentrate or could faint also.

Random variation in blood sugar during pregnancy is often observed, as both pregnancy and diabetes cause the insulin fluctuation. It is recommended by health experts to avoid too much or too little sugar. It is mandatory for all ladies to go for blood sugar tests even if they are not in the high risk case.

Hypoglycemia in pregnancy without diabetes is rare. The following types of diabetes puts the pregnant lady under high hypoglycemia risk:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes- hypoglycemia after gestational diabetes

Consuming a nutrient-rich diet can prevent, cure and maintain normal blood sugar levels. It is very important to know what you are eating and how much you are eating, if you are planning, expecting or have just delivered a baby. To understand the quality and quantity of your diet, consulting a personal diet coach is recommended. Simple habit changes can help you reverse diabetes for life.

Also read: Is white wheat bread good for diabetics

Low Sugar During Pregnancy Symptoms

As the body becomes weak and is unable to derive energy for the growth of baby, and it’s functioning, it shows the following symptoms:

• Shaking
• Sweating
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty in thinking
• Exhaustion
• Moodiness
• Anger
• Irregular heart beat
• Cold night sweats
• Frequent nightmares
• Difficulty in waking up in the morning

Women with severe low sugar levels experience seizures, convulsions, or even lose consciousness. If a lady experiences irregular blood glucose levels, she should opt for the diabetes reversal program, which emphasizes on normalizing blood sugar levels naturally. Healthy mother, healthy baby!

Types of Hypoglycemia and Pregnancy

There are usually two types of hypoglycemia, they are as follows:

Reactive hypoglycemia: This form of hypoglycemia occurs as the blood sugar levels drop within a few hours of the meal. The case is predominant with people who are affected by sugar, but then at times may be seen in people without the diabetes condition also.

Fasting hypoglycemia: If the blood sugar levels drop dangerously between meals, then it is this case. It is common in people without previous case or present condition of diabetes.

Both these Reactive and Fasting hypoglycemia can be cured by sustainable lifestyle modifications.

Also read: Can high blood sugar cause rash

Causes of Hypoglycemia

• Diabetes: It is the most common reason for hypoglycemia during pregnancy. However as per surveys it is more common to observe hyperglycemia among women but then hypoglycemia could also occur during the different stages of pregnancy. High blood sugar levels are a result of Type I diabetes where the body cannot produce the correct levels of insulin and in case of type 2 diabetes where the body has become resistant to insulin. Low blood sugar levels occur when the person is on diabetes medications or does not eat enough. The hormonal changes also play a vital role and result in the rise of hypoglycemia in women with diabetes. Thus emphasis is put on eating a balanced and nutritional diet.
• Gestational diabetes: At times women suffer from gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This happens as the women becomes insulin resistant during the pregnancy. Further the hormonal changes and the increased requirement of energy in the body results in hypoglycemia. About 9.2 percent of women experience gestational diabetes. However, after the birth of the baby the gestational diabetes goes away.
• Morning sickness: Blood sugar reduces considerably in women who do not consume enough carbohydrates. Women who vomit continuously during pregnancy can also experience low blood sugar levels. Thus women who do not gain weight or vomit daily need to consult a doctor and get the sugar test done.
• Lifestyle reasons: Lifestyle reasons that can lead to hypoglycemia are not exercising or leading a sedentary lifestyle. Also here it should be kept in mind if the lady exercises too much then more energy is consumed and this can result in the decrease of sugar levels and thereby resulting in hypoglycemia. The two causes are lifestyle issues which can result in the disease. Even consuming too much alcohol can result in hypoglycemia. Consuming alcohol on an empty stomach also affects the blood sugar level.
  Also if the lady consumes alcohol empty stomach then it can affect the sugar levels.
• Medical conditions: Several medical problems can also result in hypoglycemia in pregnancy without diabetes. Thus it could result in complications during pregnancy and foetal development. Acute hepatitis, organ failure, enzyme deficiencies, pancreatic tumors, glucagon and some other diseases can result in hypoglycemia.

A woman should take expert advice as soon as she starts experiencing symptoms of diabetes. Health coaches will help her understand how food and exercise affects their blood sugar levels. With constant push and motivation by certified coaches will help develop healthy habits over time, thus reversing diabetes.

Risk Factors Associated With Low Sugar During Pregnancy

The risks related to hypoglycemia are as follows:

1. Diabetes– Both pregnancy and diabetes affect the insulin levels to fluctuate. Thereby, consuming too much or too less of sugar will need constant monitoring. Thus consult your doctor regularly so he can prescribe medicines accordingly in order to avoid sudden increase or decrease of blood sugar levels, thus affecting the pregnancy and growth of the fetus.
2. The first trimester– Hypoglycemia usually occurs in the first trimester when vomiting and nausea are common issues for the expecting mom. For Type 1 diabetic ladies, the chances of hypoglycemia increase by three times. Mostly there is no fear in the second trimester, still taking precautions is mandatory.
3. Hypoglycemic Attacks before Pregnancy– In such cases one has to be careful as the episodes could recur
4. Being sick– There are certain illnesses where one may lose appetite resulting in use of existing sugar levels which could result in hypoglycemic episodes.
5. Malnourished– Nutrition and calorie content of food is of prime importance during pregnancy. Lack of this could increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Diabetes Reversal Program is sure to make you feel healthier during pregnancy and have a more positive outlook in life.

How to Reduce the Risk of Low Sugar in Pregnancy?

The best aspect is to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia rather than availing treatment for the same.

1. Eat a small, well balanced diet
2. While sleeping you are fasting thus keeping a snack by the bedside will prove of use so that you can eat it when you wake up during the night or as first snack after waking up in the morning.
3. Indulging in a moderate exercise regime. Remember , overdoing it can affect the sugar levels in your body.

For a smooth 9 month pregnancy, you should start practising healthy habits right from the beginning. A team of personalised Diet Coach, Fitness Coach, diabetologist and other health care coaches will help you achieve a better lifestyle during and after pregnancy.

Diagnosis of Low Sugar During Pregnancy

Based on the symptoms and blood glucose reading, the doctor diagnoses the case of hypoglycemia. Thus the doctor asks the patients to record their blood sugar reading several times during a day. The doctor prescribes a sugar monitoring kit, also known as glucometer, for assisting in recording the sugar levels. Persistent low sugar blood levels indicate hypoglycemia, a single reading cannot decide the disease.

Effect of Hypoglycemia on Mother and Child

Severe cases of hypoglycemia may require hospitalization. The blood sugar level can drop to 300 micrograms per ml thus causing seizures and in extreme cases the mother can go into a coma.

Low blood sugar during pregnancy can affect the development of the foetus during pregnancy. The infant so born

can have hypoglycemia episodes from birth. The child can also have mental or physical abnormalities.
Careful and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels can decrease the risk of Hypoglycemia, thus reducing the risk of complications in mother and the baby.

Also read: Best diet to lose weight for prediabetes

Treatment for Reducing Severe Hypoglycemia

The treatment method for hypoglycemia are as follows:

• The patient should be fed high-calorie foods like fruit juice, sugar water, and glucose tablets.
• If there is a rare case of tumour then it has to be removed.
• If the patient is unable to eat then consulting the doctor at the earliest is required.

Maintaining a healthy style of living before and after conception can reduce all the risk. A pregnant woman should always seek expert consultation in planning her diet and exercise routine. Reverse Diabetes and deliver a healthy baby!

Also read: Diabetic kidney disease diet

FAQs:

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
3. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/

Last Updated on August 1, 2022 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal