Glossary of pregnancy terms: K

Ketones

These are substances found in the blood which show that the body has used up all the available carbohydrate for energy and has begun to utilise protein instead. Often a woman in labour with ketones in her blood will feel shaky and weak, and labour can slow down. Eating little and often in early labour can help prevent this happening. Some hospitals put up a glucose drip if a blood test shows that ketones are present.

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