Gestational Diabetes – Monitoring your Blood Glucose Levels

How will I know whether my blood glucose levels are on target?

Once diagnosed with gestational diabetes melitus during pregnancy, testing your blood sugar at certain times of the day will help determine if your eating patterns and exercise during pregnancy are keeping your blood sugar levels in control, or if you need extra insulin to protect your developing baby.

How Do I Monitor My Blood Sugar Levels?

You can use a small device called a blood glucose meter to check your blood glucose levels on your own. Your health care provider will demonstrate how to use a glucometer. You can prick your finger with a lancet; a small, sharp needle. Put a drop of blood on a test strip and insert it into the slot in the glucometer to display your results. Record the results in a log book and then dispose the lancet and strips properly.

Your health care provider will ask you to maintain a daily food record and your home sugar levels. You have to take your blood sugar readings with you to your doctor during your appointments so that your doctor can evaluate how well your blood sugar levels are controlled and determine if changes need to be made to your treatment plan. If your results are often out of range, your health care provider will suggest ways you can reach your targets.

The goal of monitoring is to keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. The blood glucose ranges for women with gestational diabetes include:

Time of Test                          Target Blood Sugar Reading

Before breakfast                      below 95

1 Hour after a meal                 not above 140

2 Hours after meals                whole blood below 120

Insulin treatment is started if above levels are not maintained.