Gestational diabetes: Giving yourself insulin shots
Why give insulin?
Normally, insulin is made by the pancreas. Insulin helps sugar (glucose) enter cells, where it is used for energy. It helps our bodies store extra sugar in muscles, fat, and liver cells. Later, that sugar can be released if it is needed. Without insulin, the body cannot use sugar, causing the blood sugar level to get too high.
If you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, your pancreas
cannot produce enough insulin. If regular exercise and changing the way you eat do not keep your blood sugar level within a safe range, you will need to take a man-made form of insulin. Keeping your blood sugar level within a safe range prevents complications for you, for your unborn baby (such as growing too large for normal delivery), and for your baby after birth (such as low blood sugar levels).
People who have type 1 diabetes and some people who have type 2 diabetes also need to take insulin.
Test Your Knowledge
Your body does not provide enough insulin to meet your needs if you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Insulin shots help keep your blood sugar level within a safe range, preventing problems for you and your baby.
Continue to
How to prepare and give an insulin shot
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: December 4, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Lois Jovanovic, MD - Endocrinology | |
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