November is Diabetes Awareness Month

National Diabetes Month 2018 is focused on promoting health after gestational diabetes (GDM).

What is Gestational Diabetes

• Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
• During pregnancy, hormones change how a woman’s body handles sugars to allow her to builds a new human.
• In some women these hormones change sugar transport in the body and cause blood sugars to remain too high creating diabetes.
• It is important for gestational diabetes to be detected and treated. Undetected diabetes in pregnancy can lead to
  • birth defects (if present in early pregnancy)
  • pregnancy loss (miscarriage)
  • very large babies
  • glucose problems for babies after birth
• All pregnant women are screened between 26-30 weeks
• Gestational diabetes can be treated with
  • Diet change
  • Oral medications
  • Insulin

If you are diagnosed

• For the majority of women gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born.
• Mothers with gestational diabetes have an elevated risk related to developing type 2 diabetes.
  • 50% develop type 2 diabetes at some time after the pregnancy
  • Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes are also at increased risk of gestational diabetes

• Get tested for type 2 diabetes within 12 weeks after your baby is born. If the test is normal, get tested on a regular basis.
• Talk to your doctor if you plan to become pregnant again in the future. You will be tested early in pregnancy to detect if diabetes is present.
• Tell your child’s doctor if you had gestational diabetes.

Reduce your risk

• Maintain a healthy diet (see graphic below)
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Get recommended prenatal care and screenings
• Follow recommendations if you test positive for GDM

Useful Links

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/communication-programs/ndep/partner-community-organization-information/national-diabetes-month