QuestionHI Brenda
I am at 24 weeks and 4 days and aged 38. These 2 days I felt extremely tired, nausea and dizzness all around me. and somtimes I feel very cold and sometimes I feel very hot, and also with stiff neck and shoulder..
My OB doctor is on vacation, so I went to my family doctor, she tested my blood suger and it was 78, she said it was a littile bit low. Can you tell me the normal range of blood suger at my stage. And what causes for my blood sugar to drop? How can I improve my condition?
I suspected infection but my doctor said since I did not have fever, or vomiting or diareeha, so she would not do any other blood test on me. What is your advice?
Also, the doctor also performed the heart activity monitor ( I think it should be called electrocardiogram, but not sure), she placed small patches on my chest, upper arms and legs and then 1 minute later, a graph was printed out. I asked her if this test is safe for pregnancy, she said Yes. What is your advice? Is it really safe to have it during pregnancy? will the baby be affected? I am concerned. I want to have second opinion.
Thanks
AnswerDear Elaine,
Normally, the body maintains the blood glucose level between about 70 to 150 mg/dL. So your level of 78 was, as the doctor said, slightly low for a middle of the day level. Glucose levels rise after meals and are usually lowest in the morning, before the first meal of the day.
Dietary changes such as eating frequent small meals and several snacks a day and choosing complex carbohydrates over simple sugars may be enough to ease symptoms of low blood sugar. An EKG will not harm your baby.
In consideration of your symptoms, it does lead me to wonder if you are a frequent eater of uncooked meats, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk, or foods from unpasteurized milk. Although Listeriosis (the illness from ingesting Listeria) is rare, pregnant women are more susceptible to it than non-pregnant healthy adults.
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that is found in water and soil. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil, and animals can also be carriers. Symptoms of Listeriosis may show up 2-30 days after exposure. Symptoms in pregnant women include mild flu like symptoms, headaches, muscle aches, fever, nausea and vomiting. If the infection spreads to the nervous system it can cause stiff neck, disorientation or convulsions. Infection can occur at any time during pregnancy, but it is most common during the 3rd trimester when your immune system is somewhat suppressed.
To avoid Listeriosis, pregnant women should:
-Eat hard cheeses instead of soft cheeses (The CDC has recommended that pregnant women avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican style cheeses such as queso fresco, queso blanco and Panela. Hard cheeses such as cheddar and semi-soft cheeses such as mozzarella are safe to consume. Pasteurized processed cheese slices and spreads such as cream cheese and cottage cheese can also be safely consumed.)
-Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats unless they are properly reheated to steaming (or 160 F) (Eating out at certain restaurants that provide deli meat sandwiches such as Subway is not recommended for pregnant women since they do not reheat their deli meats. Therefore Subway recommends that pregnant women eat non-luncheon meat sandwiches.)
-Do not eat refrigerated pates or meat spreads.
-Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole.
-Wash all fruits and vegetables
-Keep everything clean including your hands and preparation surfaces
-Keep your refrigerator thermometer at 40 degrees or below
-Clean your refrigerator often
-Avoid cross contamination between raw and uncooked foods (this includes hot dog juices)
-Cook foods at proper temperatures (use food thermometers) and reheat all foods until they are steaming hot (or 160F)
If you feel you may have already been infected with this bacteria, your doctor can run a simple blood test to be sure. If present, you will be treated with an antibiotic.
I hope this information has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well.
Brenda
