Preconception Stress Induced High Blood Glucose and Pregnancy Complications
Preconception stress during the infertility process may spell glycemic woes for women during pregnancy, according to researchers. Stable blood sugars while TTCing supports your body and mind while reducing inflammation that makes conceiving even more challenging. (Women with severe PMS symptoms have been found to consume the most refined sugar).
In the realm of fertility treatments and pregnancy, the correlation between stress and blood glucose levels is a topic needing attention due to its potential impact on your health and your baby’s long-term health. Even blood sugars in the high size of normal are associated with less chances of becoming pregnant during any given cycle.
Stress-induced hyperglycemia, a phenomenon where stress triggers an elevation in blood glucose levels, poses significant risks to both mother and baby during pregnancy - yet it’s another topic nobody is really talking about.
Fight or Flight
When we experience stress, our body's natural response is to release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones play a crucial role in the body's "fight or flight" response, mobilizing energy reserves to cope with the perceived threat. However, in the context of chronic stress or heightened emotional states, this physiological response can lead to dysregulation of glucose metabolism as well as hormones.
Elevated blood glucose levels, particularly in the context of early pregnancy, can have detrimental effects on both maternal health and fetal development. For mothers, uncontrolled hyperglycemia increases the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a condition associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and cesarean birth. Moreover, maternal hyperglycemia has been linked to macrosomia (large birth weight), neonatal hypoglycemia, and an increased risk of metabolic disorders in children.
Blood Sugars and Embryonic Development
High blood sugars can disrupt normal embryonic development and fetal growth, leading to a higher likelihood of congenital anomalies and long-term health consequences, including obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
Strategies to reduce emotional distress levels include:
Mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, and stress-reducing interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Maintain a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise and adequate nutrition. Eat fewer low-quality carbs and pair high-quality carbs with proteins and/or fats to reduce glucose spikes. Whenever possible choose low-glycemic carbs, especially veggies.
Sufficient sleep can also help regulate blood glucose levels and promote overall well-being.
Red light therapy is another tool to use daily as you prepare for your IVF/ovulation. Photobiomodulation reduces cellular stress, increases cellular metabolism and reduces blood glucose levels in just a few minutes.
By addressing stress-induced high blood glucose and implementing some simple holistic strategies, you can begin to stack the odds of the well-being of both you and your baby throughout pregnancy.
