In this article:
of pregnant women who take insulin experience low blood sugar.
To manage hypoglycaemia, you need a well-balanced diet, regular glucose monitoring, and timely insulin adjustments with medical support. If not managed properly, it can lead to complications such as preterm birth or restricted foetal growth.
Understanding Reactive Hypoglycaemia in Pregnancy
Reactive hypoglycemia in pregnancy is a condition where blood sugar levels drop abnormally low within a few hours after eating, especially after consuming meals high in carbohydrates. It occurs when the body releases an excessive amount of insulin in response to a rise in blood glucose. This leads to a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels. During pregnancy, hormonal changes such as increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen can increase insulin sensitivity. This can make you more prone to developing this condition.Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, dizziness, irritability, and occur a few hours after a meal. It’s more common in women with existing glucose metabolism problems or gestational diabetes. It’s also more likely if you manage your diabetes with insulin.
Hypoglycaemia is generally defined as a glucose level below 72 mg/dL. Some healthcare teams may use 63 mg/dL as the threshold during pregnancy.
Complications
- Lower birth weight
- Increased chances of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Higher rates of appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration (APGAR) scores below 7, indicating that the baby may require medical attention
- Seizures
- Brain damage
Factors Causing Reactive Hypoglycaemia During Pregnancy
Understanding the factors that lead to reactive hypoglycaemia can help manage and prevent it.
Diabetes
Reactive hypoglycaemia can occur in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes (type 1 or type 2) due to imbalances in insulin regulation. Excessive insulin doses or irregular glucose consumption can result in a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels after meals. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can further enhance insulin sensitivity, increasing the chances of hypoglycaemic episodes.Gestational Diabetes
If you have gestational diabetes, you may experience reactive hypoglycaemia if your insulin response becomes unpredictable. When you eat high-carbohydrate meals, your pancreas might overproduce insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels. This causes a rapid drop in blood sugar 2-4 hours after eating.Morning Sickness
Hyperemesis gravidarum or severe morning sickness can cause reactive hypoglycemia by affecting eating habits. Persistent nausea and vomiting often make it difficult to eat adequate food, which leads to a drop in blood sugar levels.Lifestyle Factors
Unhealthy eating habits like consuming meals high in sugar or refined carbs can lead to quick blood sugar spikes and sudden drops. Skipping meals during pregnancy can also impact your glucose levels. Excessive exercise or consumption of alcohol are other lifestyle factors contributing to reactive hypoglycemia.Medication
Some medications, like insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents used to treat diabetes or gestational diabetes, can increase the risk of reactive hypoglycemia if they are not properly dosed.Medical Disorders
Conditions that can lead to hypoglycemia include tumours, malnutrition, hormone imbalances, sepsis, end-stage liver disease, and kidney failure.Symptoms of Reactive Hypoglycaemia
Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia can range from mild to severe and affect daily activities. Some of the most common symptoms of reactive hypoglycaemia are:
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Exhaustion
- Moodiness and anger
- Anxiety
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Does Low Blood Sugar During Pregnancy Affect the Baby?
Mild episodes of hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, are generally not a major concern and may not directly harm the baby. But prolonged or recurrent hypoglycemia can pose risks to foetal health.Gestational diabetes can lead to periods of high maternal blood sugar, which may cause excessive foetal growth. This can result in a condition called macrosomia, where babies are born much larger than average. This can make vaginal delivery more complicated. It increases the chances of longer labour, a caesarean section or injury to the mother and the baby during birth.
Newborns of mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes may be more prone to neonatal complications. One of these is jaundice, where their blood sugar levels may drop dangerously low shortly after birth.
Diet Changes to Manage Hypoglycaemia During Pregnancy
One of the most effective ways to prevent blood sugar drops is through diet changes.
- Try having 5 to 6 smaller meals throughout the day. Space them out every 2 to 3 hours to stabilise your blood sugar levels.
- Pair carbs with protein, lean meats, eggs, and legumes to slow sugar spikes.
- Include healthy fats, avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil to sustain energy and stabilise glucose.
- Avoid sugary foods, drinks, sweets, sodas, and processed snacks.
- Eat fibre-rich foods, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to regulate blood sugar.
- Stay hydrated with water to support metabolism and glucose control.
- Limit caffeine as it may affect blood sugar regulation.
- Avoid skipping meals to prevent dangerous drops in glucose.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Hypoglycaemia During Pregnancy
Take a look at some effective lifestyle changes for managing hypoglycaemia during pregnancy:
- If your blood sugar falls below 72 mg/dL, take 15 grams of fast-acting carbs. Wait for 15 minutes, then check your levels again. If it's still low, repeat this process of the rule of 15.
- Monitor blood sugar regularly, especially before and after meals.
- Exercise moderately with low-impact activities like walking or prenatal yoga to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Manage stress with relaxation techniques, deep breathing, or meditation.
When to Seek Help
It's important to know when to seek help if you’re pregnant and dealing with hypoglycaemia. Consult your doctor if you experience any of the issues listed below:- Confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
- Blood sugar levels that stay below 72 mg/dL after two rounds of the rule of 15.
- Multiple hypoglycemic episodes daily or weekly.
- Having difficulty eating/drinking due to nausea or vomiting.
- Worsening symptoms like shakiness, sweating, or dizziness
- If you notice less foetal movement.
- Emergency signs include fainting, extreme weakness, or inability to function.
Reactive hypoglycaemia in pregnancy can be managed with timely intervention and lifestyle changes. Eating balanced meals, monitoring glucose levels, and following your doctor’s advice can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Recognising symptoms early and knowing when to seek help is essential to protect you and your baby throughout pregnancy.
FAQs
- What is reactive hypoglycaemia during pregnancy?
Reactive hypoglycaemia causes blood sugar levels to drop abnormally low a few hours after eating, usually due to an exaggerated insulin response. - What symptoms indicate reactive hypoglycaemia in pregnancy?
Common symptoms include shakiness, sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, headache, irritability, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue. - Can reactive hypoglycaemia harm the baby?
Mild episodes are not usually dangerous, but repeated or untreated hypoglycaemia can affect foetal growth.
