New to Insulin
Taking Medications
Sometimes high blood sugar cannot be brought down with meal planning and exercising. This is never your fault — and scientists don’t understand clearly why this happens to some women as compared to others.
If that is your case, your healthcare team can intensity your treatment to include medications. Approximately 15% to 30% of women with GDM may require medication.
INSULIN
Your doctor might suggest taking insulin, in the form of a daily injection; These shots don’t hurt when done correct, and a member of your care team will show you how to give yourself the injection under the skin in your stomach area
The insulin injected will not hurt the baby or cause the baby to get diabetes
Your insulin regimen will be personalized by your health care provider to meet your specific glycemic targets.
ORAL MEDICATION:
There's also growing use of oral antidiabetic agents like glyburide and metformin. However, it's important to note that glyburide could be associated with a higher risk of neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia, while metformin might slightly increase the risk of premature birth. Currently, there's limited long-term safety data for oral agents, so your healthcare provider will help you make the best decision.
Sources:
Sweet Success California
American Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. (2023). Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Care and Education. Read more on **https://www.diabeteseducator.org/docs/default-source/practice/practice-documents/practice-papers/adces-gestational-diabetes-mellitus---final.pdf?sfvrsn=4**