Final answer:
During pregnancy, women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM I) generally see an increase in insulin requirements due to hormonal changes leading to insulin resistance. Insulin injections help manage blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake by cells. Oral hypoglycemic agents are not recommended in pregnancy, making insulin essential for glycemic control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Insulin requirements generally increase during pregnancy for women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM I). This is due to hormonal changes that can lead to insulin resistance, requiring larger doses of insulin to maintain blood glucose levels within a normal range. Insulin injections are crucial as they help transport and store glucose, and these help to decrease blood glucose levels after meals, contrary to increasing blood glucose levels before meals. This ensures that glucose is utilized by the body's cells efficiently, maintaining a state of euglycemia (normal blood glucose level).
In cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, also known as IDDM or Type 1 Diabetes, patients exhibit a significant decrease in blood glucose levels upon receiving insulin injections. This is illustrated in Graph-A, which shows a pattern of decrease and subsequent normalization of blood glucose levels after insulin administration in those patients. For pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes, monitoring and possibly increasing insulin dosages is necessary, as pregnancy alters insulin sensitivity. This change is a result of several factors, including an increase in hormones like hPL (human placental lactogen), which has an anti-insulin effect, leading to increased insulin requirements.
It is important to note that oral hypoglycemic agents are typically not recommended for pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes. Instead, insulin remains the cornerstone of glycemic management due to its safety profile and effectiveness in controlling blood glucose levels during pregnancy.