DOSAGE OF INSULIN DURING DELIVERY AND THE IMMEDIATE POST‐PARTUM PERIOD IN PREGNANT DIABETICS

Abstract

Several different principles have been presented for treatment of the pregnant diabetic in connection with labor. There is, however, a lack of documentation of blood glucose levels in the immediate post‐partum period. On the day of delivery and on the 2 following days, 55 diabetics were given one daily injection of an intermediate‐acting insulin, irrespective of the mode of delivery. The amount of insulin given was one‐third of the total dose on the day before delivery. From 07.00 hours on the day of delivery, blood‐glucose levels were determined every fourth hour for 48 hours. This insulin dosage gave a satisfactory control of glycemia with a low incidence of hypoglycemia and additional insulin was very seldom required.