North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

Does maternal blood sugar typically increase or decrease during labor?

1. Increase

2. Stay the same

3. Decrease

4. Fluctuate widely

The correct answer is: Decrease

During labor, maternal blood sugar typically experiences a decrease. This reduction in blood sugar levels can be attributed to several factors that occur as a woman progresses through labor. First, during the active phase of labor, the body requires more energy to support the physical exertion related to contractions and delivery. As a result, glucose is utilized by the body more rapidly to respond to these increased energy demands. Additionally, the stress hormones released during labor, such as cortisol and adrenaline, can enhance the metabolism of glucose, further contributing to this decrease. Moreover, if the mother has not eaten adequately during labor, or if she is experiencing prolonged labor, her blood sugar levels may drop even more significantly. This is particularly important to monitor because low maternal blood sugar can affect both the mother and the baby, leading to complications. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the physiological changes occurring during labor. While there can be some fluctuation in blood sugar levels due to various factors, the overall trend is typically a decline rather than remaining stable or increasing significantly.