If You Need Extra Insulin During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body may not be able to make enough insulin to control your blood sugar. If this happens, you may need extra insulin. This will help control your blood sugar. In some cases, an oral antidiabetic medicine may be used. An example of this is glyburide. But insulin is used most often.

Insulin is a natural substance. It is not addictive. It does not harm your baby. It does not cross the placenta. That means it does not affect your baby the way taking a pill would. If you did not have diabetes before pregnancy, you will likely stop taking insulin after your baby is born.

Learning to use insulin

Your healthcare provider will prescribe your insulin. They will teach you how to give yourself a shot. With practice, you’ll get comfortable doing it. You will need to inject it 1 or more times a day. Insulin is injected into fatty tissue. The best site for a shot of insulin is in your belly area. But you can also do the shot in your upper arm or thigh. Talk with your healthcare provider about where to give the shot. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Choose an injection site.

  • Clean it with alcohol if the skin is dirty.

  • Pinch a fold of skin. Insert the needle at a steep angle. The best angle will depend on your body type, the length of the needle, and where you put the shot. Your healthcare provider will help you find the best angle.

  • Keeping the skin pinched, push the plunger down. This injects the insulin.

  • Release the pinched skin.

  • Remove the needle from your skin.

  • If you see blood or insulin leaking from your skin, press firmly on the site for 5 to 8 seconds.

  • Don’t rub your skin in the area.

Needles and syringes should be used only 1 time. After using, throw them away in a puncture-proof container. This is known as a sharps container. Don’t throw needles in your household trash. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about taking insulin.

Front view of pregnant woman with insulin injection sites.

Finding the right dose for you

Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the right dose of insulin for you. It may take time. This is because you need to balance your insulin with your food and exercise. And your body needs more insulin as your baby grows.

You must check your blood sugar several times a day. This is to be sure your insulin is working. If your blood sugar is too high or too low, your healthcare provider will adjust your dose.

Low blood sugar

Taking insulin puts you at risk of low blood sugar. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

  • Shakiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Confusion

If you feel any of these symptoms, check your blood sugar right away.

Always treat low blood sugar quickly. To do this, eat 15 grams of fast-acting sugar, such as:

  • 3 glucose tablets

  • 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar

  • ½ cup fruit juice or regular, nondiet soda

  • 1 cup fat-free milk

Then check your blood sugar again in 15 minutes. If your blood sugar is still low, eat another 15 grams of sugar. If your blood sugar does not return to the target range in 30 minutes, call your healthcare provider.