Hypoglycemiaoccurs when your blood glucose levels drop too low to support normal body functions.
It is usually defined as a blood glucose level less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
In pregnant people, it occurs most often among those with chronicdiabetes mellitus.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
It can also result fromgestational diabetes, which begins when you’re pregnant.
Though rare, this problem can arise from other causes.
Low blood sugar can causefatigue,heart palpitations,andfainting.
Severe cases can result inseizuresorcoma.
Without treatment, it can be fatal.
Hypoglycemia can also cause harm to the developing fetus or complications after birth.
With proper care, this problem can often be managed with diet and medications.
Preventing a sudden drop in your blood sugar is the best way to control this problem.
This article explains how hypoglycemia affects fertility outcomes, gestation, and the postpartum period.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
Hypoglycemia and Fertility
Hypoglycemia can develop as a common complication of diabetes.
People with diabetes can experience problems with reproductive organs, including thefallopian tubes,ovaries, oruterus.
Hypoglycemia usually occurs with diabetes.
It can cause abnormally high levels of insulin, resulting in dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Hypoglycemia and Gestation
Abnormal blood glucose levels may affect you and the developing fetus.
Risks
Glucose is the main source of energy for your body and brain.
Without enough glucose, you’re unable to continue normal physical and mental function.
Normalglucose levelsare necessary to meet the changing demands of a pregnant person supporting a growing fetus.
Untreated low blood sugar can result in seizures and a coma.
Without treatment, severe episodes can lead to death.
Sufficient glucose levels in the pregnant body are also necessary to support fetal development until birth.
It may also damage fetal beta cells, which produce and regulate insulin.
Prevalence of Hypoglycemia Diagnosis in Pregnancy
Hypoglycemia in pregnancy is very common.
Having punch in 1, punch in 2, or gestational diabetes increases your risk of hypoglycemia during pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes occurs in up to 10% of pregnant people in the United States.
Up to 71% of women with bang out 1 diabetes develop hypoglycemia at some time during pregnancy.
Concerning Symptoms
Symptoms of hypoglycemia may vary among different people.
The only way to identify low blood glucose levels is to take a test.
A reading lower than 70 mg/dL indicates low blood sugar.
Glucagon is a prescription hormone that promotes the release of stored glucose into your bloodstream.
It is available in injectable or inhaled forms.
Your experience with hypoglycemia during this time depends on the cause of your hypoglycemia and your overall health.
Makinglifestyle changesas you recover from childbirth may help reduce your risk of developing bang out 2 diabetes.
Initial testing for postpartum diabetes is conducted between four weeks and six months after giving birth.
Having gestational diabetes leaves you with a 2 in 3 chance that it will occur in future pregnancies.
The process helps the nursing parent’s body process glucose and insulin better after pregnancy.
It also helps you lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy.
Summary
Hypoglycemia triggers when your blood glucose level drops below 70 mg/dL.
Most cases of hypoglycemia in pregnancy occur in people with punch in 1 or punch in 2 diabetes.
It can also develop as a complication of gestational diabetes.
Rarely, it occurs from another health problem not linked to diabetes.
Symptoms can include heart palpitations, fatigue and fainting.
Severe cases can result in seizures, coma or death.
It can also prevent normal fetal growth.
This problem can often be controlled with diet and medications.
The best way to manage hypoglycemia is to take steps to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Occasional or mild hypoglycemia usually isn’t considered harmful to you or the fetus.
Eat regularly, exercise daily, and monitor blood sugar levels if you have diabetes when you get pregnant.
Take insulin and other medication as advised to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
While it’s possible to develop hypoglycemia without diabetes, the occurrence is rare.
During pregnancy, closely monitor blood sugar levels and report symptoms of hypoglycemia to your healthcare provider for advice.
Basmatzou T, Hatziveis K.Diabetes mellitus and influences on human fertility.Int J Caring Sciences.
2016;9(1):371.
Thong EP, Codner E, Laven JSE, Teede H.The Lancet.Diabetes & Endocrinology.
2013;98(10):39A-40A.
doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10-39A
Medline Plus.Congenital hyperinsulinism.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About gestational diabetes.
Di Cianni G, Resi V, Lacaria E, Lencioni C.Hypoglycemia in diabetic pregnancy.Gestational Diabetes.
2020;28:109-122. doi:10.1159/000487095
Endocrine Society.Hypoglycemia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.key in 1 or key in 2 diabetes in pregnancy.
American Diabetes Association.Understanding and managing low blood glucose (Hypoglycemia).
Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Screening for diabetes mellitus after pregnancy.
American Diabetes Association.How to treat gestational diabetes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.
American Diabetes Association.Breastfeeding and diabetes.
