Can you help me understand bgl readings in pregancy?

[KariM]

I'm curious as to why pregnant women are advised to have blood glucose levels lower than non-pregnant people.

For instance, my DH is a Type II diabetic and his physician wants him to maintain fasting readings under 110 and 2 hour postprandial readings under 160.

Most guidelines I've seen for pregnant women advise a fasting reading under 90 and a 2 hour postprandial of less than 140.

Can you help me understand why pregnant women are advised to have blood glucose levels lower than non-pregnant people???

TIA!

[bobandjess99]

I don't think it is that pregnant women are advised to have better readings...your dh is being advised to have HIGH! readings. I have NEVER heard of any type II being told to have readings that high. Those really are VERY, VERY high readings.

I would SERIOUSLY be questioning your dh's physician. Having readings that high is dangerous.

In general, ALL people are advised to have a fasting of less than either 100 or 90, depending on how strict their doc is, and a pp reading of less than 140.

the guidelines do change, and they do vary from doc to doc, but honestly...I've never heard of a doc recommending levels that high. I've been diabetic type II for nealry adecade, diagnosed, and have gone through 2 pregnancies during that time....and those numbers would not have been acceptable to ANY of the practitioners I have ever seen, NOR MYSELF, - I've seen the research and rec's...and those really high numbers just dont make sense...unless that doc is just trying to make sure your hubby is nice and sickly the rest of his life.....*grumble*....

[KariM]

Jess,

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I was curious about your response because my DH's doc is an internist specializing in diabetes treatment.

The intent of the question I posted wasn't to determine my DH's care, but curiosity made me do a quick web search to find out what the medical profession is saying about Type II diabetes management.

I found this info from the American Diabetes Association

http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabe...ose-checks.jsp

and it lists a range of blood glucose levels that it considers in the "normal" or "controlled" range.

And this is what Medicinenet has to say about normal blood glucose ranges:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=17384


Returning, to my original question, though.

I was wondering if any birth professionals could provide insight as to why normal non-pregnant blood glucose level threshholds differ from pregnant blood glucose levels.

Thanks!