Blood Sugar in Pregnancy: 'Low Enough' May Not Be Low Enough

By Christina Elston

Blood sugar is one of the things that doctors monitor during a woman's pregnancy. And "high blood sugar" generally lands mom on a special diet aimed at preventing gestational diabetes, which can put her baby at risk for larger size at birth, birth trauma, low blood sugar and jaundice. But findings released at this summer's American Diabetes Association annual scientific meeting suggest that even mildly elevated blood sugar in the mother can put her unborn child at risk.

Among more than 23,000 pregnant women, researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., found that the higher a pregnant woman's blood sugar level, the more likely her child will be large at birth and require Cesarean section, or have low blood sugar and high insulin levels. This also puts the baby at risk of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure down the road.

The goal for a pregnant woman's fasting blood sugar level - her level after several hours without eating - is 95 milligrams per deciliter of blood. But the study, the largest to date on the issue, suggests there is some risk even at that level. Researchers say that new guidelines, including a blood sugar level recommendation of 90 milligrams per deciliter, could be issued as early as next year.

Meanwhile, when it comes to blood sugar during pregnancy, experts generally consider lower to be better. The best way to keep your level down? Keep your intake of refined carbohydrates low, get plenty of fiber, and eat frequent, smaller meals.

Christina Elston is a senior editor and health writer for Dominion Parenting Media.

Posted August 2007.

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