If you have developed diabetes during pregnancy, a healthy and nutritious diet and routine workout usually help normalize blood glucose levels. However, sometimes, your doctor may prescribe insulin during pregnancy to maintain your blood glucose levels within the normal range (1). But how does one get gestational diabetes (GD) during pregnancy? When pregnant, the placenta in a woman’s womb secretes hormones essential for the baby’s development. However, these hormones can impair insulin activity and induce GD in certain pregnant women. Read this post to know the safety profile of oral insulin medications and injections in pregnancy.
When Do You Need To Take Insulin During Pregnancy?
Women with diabetes do not produce insulin or their body stops responding to the natural insulin, increasing the blood glucose levels. Therefore, insulin is required and may be prescribed to keep your blood glucose levels in control (2). Blood glucose levels during conception and pregnancy are important to be normal both for development of a healthy fetus and to maintain normal fetal growth and development. Glucose intolerance (the body cannot metabolize blood glucose) during or before pregnancy could lead to certain complications. Insulin treatment helps in maintaining these levels if diet and exercise do not control it sufficiently..
Is Insulin Safe To Treat Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy?
In clinical practices, insulin is the first-line of treatment for type1 and type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled GD during pregnancy (3). According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), insulin administered through injection, insulin pen, or through an insulin pump is safe for pregnant women (4). Your doctor will put you on insulin only if it is necessary.
Does Insulin Affect The Baby During Pregnancy?
ADA says that insulin does not cross the placenta, and so it does not affect the baby.
Can Insulin Cause Miscarriage?
No, insulin is not known to cause miscarriage (5).
What Is The Suggested Drug Therapy For Treating Gestational Diabetes?
The guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend insulin as the first-line treatment for gestational diabetes that cannot be controlled by dietary and lifestyle changes. The US National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines advise an initial treatment of insulin either with or without metformin for women with complications of gestational diabetes (6). Insulin is available in only injection and pump form. Other oral medications, such as metformin, may be prescribed to treat gestational diabetes and mild hyperglycemia. However, this is not standard practice. (6).
Which Insulin Is Safe During Pregnancy?
Your doctor is the best person to determine the type of insulin for you. According to an article published in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, intermediate-acting neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, the long-acting NPH, long-lasting insulin glargine, and regular insulin, or short-acting insulin may be considered by the doctors for treating GD (6).
Can You Inject Insulin On The Stomach When Pregnant?
Insulin should be injected into any fatty tissue. According to a publication in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the abdomen is a safe site for insulin injection during pregnancy. The article recommends the below techniques to follow during the various stages of pregnancy.
First trimester: You can inject insulin into your abdomen. If you’ve been injecting it on the abdomen before conception, there is no need to change the injection site or technique.
Second trimester: Lateral parts of the abdomen are suitable for injection, but avoid the skin overlying the fetus (7).
Third trimester: The Forum of Injection Techniques, India, suggests that insulin be injected into the abdomen but by ensuring that the skin fold is properly raised. If you are apprehensive about getting an injection on your abdomen, talk to your doctor about changing the injection site to the thigh, upper arm, or buttock (8). Image: iStock
Talk to your healthcare provider for initial guidance on injecting insulin. With time, you will become comfortable in safely administering insulin by yourself.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Using Insulin During Pregnancy?
Insulin is crucial to protect the mother and the growing baby from the effects of gestational diabetes. However, the injection itself might have a few side effects, such as (9):
Redness, swelling, and itching near the injection site Skin thickening or a little depression in the skin Weight gain Constipation Shortness of breath Wheezing Dizziness Blurred vision Sweating Fast heartbeat Weakness Muscle cramps Swelling of the arms, legs, feet, ankles and lower legs
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor.
