What is the impact of high blood sugar in pregnant women on the fetus? What should pregnant women eat to lower blood sugar?

If pregnant women do not pay attention to the health of their diet and the balance of nutrition during pregnancy, it is easy to cause some pregnancy diseases, such as high blood sugar during pregnancy. So what effect does high blood sugar in pregnant women have on the fetus? What can pregnant women eat to lower blood sugar? Let's learn about it together~

What are the effects of high blood sugar in pregnant women on the fetus?

There are many reasons for high blood sugar. You should know that high blood sugar not only affects the mother's health, but also poses a serious threat to the growth and development of the next generation. Do you know what the specific harm is? I was shocked when I saw it. High blood sugar must be prevented!

Diabetes can cause infection, miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and polyhydramnios in pregnant women. It can also cause fetal macrosomia due to high maternal blood sugar levels and excessive weight gain, leading to difficult delivery and increasing the chances of dystocia, operative delivery, neonatal birth injury, and postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, there are other hazards:

1. Intrauterine malnutrition

When blood sugar is not well controlled, it may cause metabolic disorders in the mother. Protein metabolism in the body often shows a negative nitrogen balance. The fetus does not get enough nutrition in the uterus, and its internal organs develop poorly. The insulin secreted by its underdeveloped pancreas is only adapted to this low-energy intrauterine environment. The fetus often dies due to being too light at birth. Even if the fetus survives, it is very likely to develop type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

2. Congenital malformations

During the first three months of pregnancy, the fetal organs are in the development stage. High-nutrient maternal blood can lead to early fetal intrauterine growth retardation and organ malformations. During the second few months of pregnancy, the fetal brain cells are formed and developed. The mother's hyperinsulinemia and high nutrients (high blood sugar, high blood lipids, etc.) can cause delayed development of the fetal central nervous system, which may lead to changes in the fetal intelligence, behavior and mental type. The last three months of pregnancy is the period of proliferation and development of the fetal fat cells, muscle cells, pancreatic cells and neuroendocrine system. If blood sugar is high during this period, it can easily cause chronic fetal hypoxia or even fetal death.

The harm of high blood sugar in pregnant women

1. Data show that women who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a 40%-60% chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5-15 years, while under normal circumstances, the probability of women developing type 2 diabetes is only 15%. This shows that if you have diabetes during pregnancy, even if you have recovered, you should pay attention to diet and exercise, otherwise you will still be at risk of diabetes after middle age. Therefore, expectant mothers should not only pay attention to a reasonable diet during pregnancy, but also pay attention to reasonable exercise, maintain a reasonable weight, and stay away from the threat of diabetes. Mothers with gestational diabetes should also pay attention to diet and exercise after giving birth.

2. Increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, pyelonephritis, asymptomatic bacteriuria, skin furuncle, puerperal infection, mastitis, etc.

3. Excessive amniotic fluid can be 10 times higher than that of healthy pregnant women, which can easily cause premature rupture of membranes and premature birth.

4. The labor process is prolonged, and the rates of dystocia, birth injuries and fetal mortality increase.

What to eat to lower blood sugar in pregnant women

1. Bitter Melon

Bitter melon tastes very bitter and is cold in nature. It has the functions of clearing away heat and relieving summer heat, clearing the liver and improving eyesight, and detoxifying. Modern medical research has found that bitter melon contains bitter melon glycosides, 5-hydroxytryptamine, glutamic acid, alanine and vitamin B1. The crude extract of bitter melon has an effect similar to insulin, can lower blood sugar, and has a good preventive and therapeutic effect on diabetes.

2. Onion

It tastes sweet and spicy, and is slightly warm in nature. It is similar to onions and garlic in nature and flavor. It has the effects of strengthening the stomach, increasing appetite, and promoting qi and relieving fullness. Eating onions together with garlic has a blood sugar-lowering effect. Regular consumption of onions can not only satisfy hunger, but also reduce blood sugar and treat diseases.

3. Wheat bran

It tastes sweet, is neutral and cool in nature. In addition to satisfying hunger and supplementing nutrition, it can also nourish the heart and calm the mind. Wheat bran can replenish qi, remove heat and stop sweating; wheat bran can regulate the middle, clear heat and stop sweating. It can be selected according to the condition. Mix wheat bran and flour in a ratio of 6:4 with eggs to make cakes, which can be used as a main meal or snack for diabetic patients.

4. Konjac

Konjac is a low-calorie, high-fiber food. Due to its large molecular weight, high viscosity, and slow excretion in the intestine, it can delay the absorption of glucose and effectively reduce the increase in blood sugar after a meal. The glucomannan contained in konjac has a good effect on lowering the blood sugar of diabetic patients. Because it has strong water absorption and low calorie content, it can increase satiety, reduce hunger, and reduce weight, so it is an ideal food for diabetic patients.

5. Pig pancreas

It is mild in nature, and after being roasted and ground into powder, long-term use has obvious therapeutic effects on lowering blood sugar and maintaining blood sugar stability.

6. Pumpkin

It tastes sweet and is warm in nature. It has the functions of nourishing the middle and replenishing qi, and relieving inflammation and pain. Modern research has found that pumpkin can promote the secretion of insulin.

7. Nori

Nori is rich in nori polysaccharides, protein, fat, carotene, vitamins, etc. Nori polysaccharides can significantly reduce fasting blood sugar. Diabetic patients can eat nori before meals to lower blood sugar.

8. Black Fungus

It contains fungus polysaccharides, vitamins, proteins, carotene, and minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and iron. Among them, fungus polysaccharides have a blood sugar-lowering effect.

What not to eat if blood sugar is high

1. Foods that cannot be eaten by people with high blood sugar: white sugar, brown sugar, glucose and sugar-made sweets, such as candy, cakes, jam, candied fruit, ice cream, sweet drinks, etc. In addition, potatoes, yams, taro, lotus roots, garlic sprouts, carrots, etc., which are high in carbohydrates, should be used less or the corresponding amount of staple food should be reduced after consumption.

2. Fruits that cannot be eaten by people with high blood sugar: People with high blood sugar cannot eat fruits with particularly high sugar content, such as apples, pears, peaches, cantaloupe, and grapes.

3. Dried fruits that cannot be eaten by people with high blood sugar: candied dates, dried apricots, dried persimmons, raisins, longans, etc.

4. Snacks that should not be eaten by people with high blood sugar: candy, canned food, ice cream, sweet bread, sweet cakes, etc.

5. Animal fats that cannot be eaten when blood sugar is high: offal such as liver, brain, kidney, etc. Lard, tallow, kerosene, cream, butter, etc. should be used sparingly, and it is best not to use them at all