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Exercise

Along with the proper diet, exercise plays an important role in keeping the blood sugar in the range that is appropriate during pregnancy. The physician will provide information and advice on exercises that will help to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Often, a person can continue an exercise programs they are participating in before pregnancy, but it is very important to make sure the doctor is aware of the type of exercise program. Some good choices of exercises during pregnancy include swimming or water aerobics, walking, and stationary bicycling. Individuals should exercise most days of the week, always including a warm up and cool down period. The pulse rate should be monitored during exercise, with the aim to keep it less than 140 beats per minute. Because exercising can affect blood sugar and even cause it to become too low, any activity should be stopped immediately if there are signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, such as lightheadedness, dizzyness, or feeling shaky. A source of sugar should be available to treat low blood sugar. The doctor should be notified if blood sugar goes too low. Finally, plenty of drinking water should be available before, during, and after your workout.

Insulin Therapy

Insulin therapy may be needed when it is determine that diet and exercise alone are not controlling the blood sugar during gestational diabetes. The physician will use the home blood glucose values to determine if adequate sugar control is being achieved, so monitoring the blood sugar is crucial. Doses of insulin differ for each person. It is typical that more insulin is required as pregnancy progresses. This does not mean that the condition is getting worse. Insulin must be administered with an injection and the needles available today are very small and relatively painless. The doctor and pharmacist will be able to demonstrate the proper filling of the syringes and self-injection techniques. Because activities may change from day to day, the signs of both high and low blood sugar must be understood. When the blood sugar is elevated, there may be an increase in appetite and thirst, and the individual may have to urinate more frequently. If the blood sugar is too low, the individual may have a more rapid heartbeat, become sweaty, develop blurred vision, and feel faint. This may be a sign that the insulin dose was too high. The doctor needs to be notified if there are symptoms of high or low blood sugar.

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Vera M. Krainik
Email: v-krainik@onu.edu

Vera Krainik is a pharmacy student at Ohio Northern University's Raabe College of Pharmacy, and is actively involved in independent studies of chronic diseases and related complications.

Stacy M. Ramga
Email: c-dunbar@onu.edu

Stacy Ramga is a pharmacy student at Ohio Northern University's Raabe College of Pharmacy, and is actively involved in independent studies of chronic diseases and related complications.

Jessica Marie Roberts
Email: j-roberts@onu.edu

Jessica Roberts is a pharmacy student at Ohio Northern University's Raabe College of Pharmacy, and is actively involved in independent studies of diabetes and related complications.