Emergency care for low blood sugar when you have gestational diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes and are treated with insulin, you need to know what to do if you have a low blood sugar emergency. The following information is for people who may help you if you are too weak or confused to treat your own blood sugar.

• Make sure the woman can swallow.
  1. Lift her head so that it will be easier for her to swallow.
  2. Give her ½ teaspoon of water to swallow.
• If she chokes or coughs on the water:
  1. Give her the amount of glucagon recommended by the doctor through an injection into the fatty tissue. See how to give glucagon for instructions.
  2. Call 911 immediately for emergency care.
  3. Do not try to give her foods or liquids, because she could inhale them into her lungs.
  4. Check her blood sugar level using her blood sugar (glucose) meter.
  5. Stay with her until emergency help comes.
• If she can swallow the water without choking or coughing:
  1. Give her a liquid (juice or soda pop) from the list of quick-sugar foods.
  2. Check her blood sugar level using her blood sugar (glucose) meter.
  3. Wait 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Offer her more quick-sugar food if she is feeling better but still has some symptoms of low blood sugar.
  5. Check her blood sugar again.
  6. Offer her a snack (such as cheese and crackers or half of a sandwich).

If she becomes more confused or sleepy, or if her blood sugar level continues to drop, call 911 or other emergency service.

• If she is unconscious and having a seizure:
  1. Call 911 or other emergency service immediately.
  2. Get her in a safe position, such as lying on her side on the floor. Turn her head to the side.
  3. Do not put anything in her mouth or try to give her anything to eat or drink.
  4. Stay with her until emergency help comes.
• If she is unconscious but not having a seizure:
  1. Call 911 immediately for emergency care.
  2. Turn her on her side and make sure her airway is not blocked.
  3. Give her a shot of glucagon if one is available. Follow the directions given with the medicine.
  4. Check her blood sugar level using her blood sugar (glucose) meter.
  5. If she becomes more alert, carefully give her quick-sugar food or liquid.
  6. Check her blood sugar level again.
  7. Stay with her until emergency help comes.

Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: December 4, 2007
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Lois Jovanovic, MD - Endocrinology
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