Blood Sugar Monitoring for Gestational Diabetes
As part of taking care of your diabetes, you will need to test your blood sugar. Your blood sugar levels help to decide how to adjust meals, snacks, exercise, and if needed, insulin doses. There are many blood sugar meters on the market today. Your nurse will help you choose a meter which best meets your needs.
When to Test
Your team may suggest that you check before breakfast and either one hour or two hours after each meal.
Why?
• Blood sugar is usually lowest before eating.
• Blood sugar is highest in the first 1- 2 hours after eating. Checking after meals helps you to know how a certain food affects your blood sugar.
Discuss with your team what is best for you.
Goals during Pregnancy
Usual Goal |
Your Goal as directed by your doctor |
|
| Fasting/Premeal | Less than 100 | |
| 2 hours after meal | Less than 120 |
Blood Sugar Results
• Keep a written log of blood sugar tests. This will help you see patterns in the results. You will see if you are meeting your goal.
• You should call your nurse or doctor at ______________________ if your blood sugars are out of your goal range.
• Always bring your meter and your log book to the clinic. You may be asked to also keep a diet log to track blood sugars with foods you eat for the first week.
Other times you might want to check your blood sugar
• Before and/or after exercise
• With symptoms of low blood sugar
• When you vomit and/or have diarrhea
Testing tips
Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully in order to obtain accurate results. User error is the most common cause for mistakes.
To avoid errors:
1. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water before testing. If using rubbing alcohol or hand gels, be sure to let it dry before testing. If it does not dry, the alcohol will affect the results.
2. Be sure you code your meter. Follow the meter instructions.
3. Always carry test strips in the original vial.
4. Check the expiration date on the strip vial. Do not use the strips if they have expired.
5. Check to be sure you have applied enough blood to the test strip.
6. Clean your meter regularly.
7. Use the control solution (s) to check that the meter is working well.
When:
each time you open a new vial of strips
if the test results do not support how you feel
8. If you need to keep checking your blood sugars after the baby is born, make sure you check your meter results against lab results. Your doctor or nurse can tell you about how to do this if needed.
References:
American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations, Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes Diabetes Care 28:S4-S36, 2005.
American Diabetes Association: Gestational diabetes mellitus (Position Statement). Diabetes Care 27 (Suppl. 1):S88–S90, 2004.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 01/31/2013
Copyright © 01/31/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5918
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