Q&A: Can hypoglycemia cause miscarriage?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I am almost seven weeks into my fifth pregnancy. I’ve only carried one to term. I lost one pregnancy four months ago, and at the time, I experienced precipitous drops in my blood sugar level. It fell even lower than it usually does due to my hypoglycemia.

My doctors determined that the loss in April was probably due to a chromosomal problem, but I’m concerned about whether my sugar level had some kind of an impact. Sometimes I get dizzy, have a hard time breathing (like during a panic attack) and my hands feel tingly. Can low sugar levels in the mother be harmful to a fetus?

The baby takes what he or she needs and leaves the rest for you, so what you're experiencing in your hypoglycemia episodes occurs after the baby's needs are met. The tingling and symptoms you describe are an effect of hyperventilation, which means you really are having a panic attack. This can be controlled with some behavioral modification through a psychologist. I don't think a low blood sugar can hurt your baby, unless it hurts you so badly that your life is threatened.

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