Checking and recording blood glucose levels

It is important to check your blood glucose at consistent, regular times. Each day, check:

• before breakfast
• one hour after the start of breakfast (meal one)
• one hour after the start of lunch (meal two)
• one hour after the start of dinner (meal three)

For results to be most accurate, meals should be eaten in 30 minutes or less.

Keep a written record (requires Adobe Reader) of your blood glucose levels. Share the results at each prenatal visit.

Your health care provider may also ask that you call weekly to report your results. Be prepared to read your record over the phone. Also, be ready to discuss what you've eaten and when you've eaten.

Blood glucose ranges

Your health care provider or diabetes educator will tell you what your acceptable blood glucose ranges are (requires Adobe Reader).

Having an out-of-range reading

Ask your diabetes health care provider about when you should call the clinic with an out-of-range blood glucose reading.

If you have an out-of-range reading, try to determine whether you've eaten at an unusual time or chosen foods outside of your meal plan.

Call your diabetes educator or dietitian with questions. You may only need to make some simple changes to your meal plan.

If you have some out-of-range readings within one week, your health care provider may review your diet and exercise plan and may also investigate your need for medicine.