Gestational Diabetes

The National Diabetes Education Program recommends that pregnant women with gestational diabetes be tested for the disease after the baby is born, then at least every 3 years after. In addition, children born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a lifelong risk for getting diabetes. To prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, the National Diabetes Education Program recommends the following action steps.

For You:

1. Ask your doctor if you had gestational diabetes. If so, let your future health care providers know.
2. Get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born, then at least every 3 years.
3. Breastfeed your baby. It may lower your child's risk of being overweight or obese. These are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
4. Talk to your doctor if you plan to become pregnant again in the future.
5. Try to reach your pre-pregnancy weight 6 to 12 months after your baby is born. Then, if you still weigh too much, work to lose at least 5 to 7 percent (10 to 14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) of your body weight slowly, over time, and keep it off.
6. Make healthy food choices such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, dry beans and peas, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese. Choose water to drink.
7. Eat smaller portions of healthy foods to help you reach and stay at a healthy weight.
8. Be active at least 30 minutes, 5 days per week to help burn calories and lose weight.

For the Whole Family:

1. Ask your child's doctor for an eating plan to help your child grow properly and stay at a healthy weight. Tell your child's doctor that you had gestational diabetes. Tell your child about his or her risk for diabetes.
2. Help your children make healthy food choices and help them to be active at least 60 minutes a day.
3. Follow a healthy lifestyle together as a family. Help family members stay at a healthy weight by making healthy food choices and moving more.
4. Limit TV, video, and computer game time to an hour or two a day.