Reducing Your Risks After Gestational Diabetes
 
 


Because you had diabetes when you were pregnant, you need to continue to take special care of yourself to put off developing diabetes in the future. Here is what you should do to reduce your risks:

Eat a healthy diet

  • Eat foods low in fat and avoid sweets
  • Be aware of portion sizes and limit them
  • Eat foods high in fiber
  • Snack on fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid fast food

Stay physically active

  • Walk at least 30 minutes every day

Breastfeed your baby

  • Studies show that breastfeeding your baby can reduce you and your baby's risk of diabetes. Breastfeed for 6-12 months.

Keep a healthy weight

  • If you are overweight, lose weight. Aim to get to your goal weight within one year.
  • Losing weight can help lower your chances of getting gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.
  • Women who remain overweight after pregnancy are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes in the next 5 years.

Follow up with your healthcare provider

  • Before your post-partum appointment, check your blood sugar with your meter as you were doing during your pregnancy for 1-2 weeks. Your target blood sugars should be:
    • Fasting <100
    • 1 hour after meals <150
    • Call the office if you exceed these target blood sugars more than half the time.
  • At your post-partum visit, you will be given a lab slip for a 75 gram 2 hour glucose tolerance test (GTT). It is important that you complete this test 6-8 weeks after you deliver.
  • When your baby turns one, you should contact your doctor to discuss having a repeat 2 hour GTT. You should also have your cholesterol levels checked. Then repeat these tests every three years (if normal). If your results are abnormal, you will need more frequent testing and you may need to see a registered dietician.

Plan for pregnancy

  • Give your body a "rest" from the diabetes effects of pregnancy for at least 2 years.
  • Use a birth control method that is safe for you.
    • Progesterone-only birth control methods (injections or pills) may make your blood sugars higher.
    • The progesterone IUD should not affect your blood sugars.
  • If you get pregnant again, be sure to tell your OB provider that you had Gestational Diabetes. You will get screened for Gestational Diabetes earlier than normal.

 

Information provided by "Sweet Success" Diabetes & Pregnancy Program



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