Are you pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant? Here's some helpful information about gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that women who don't already have diabetes can get when they are pregnant. This type of diabetes usually shows up in the middle of the pregnancy and can be controlled by making healthy changes to your lifestyle. If you don't control gestational diabetes, it can affect your baby and cause problems during birth. It also puts you at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy, and puts your child at higher risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes during his/her lifetime.

For National Women's Health Week (May 14-20), learn the 5 steps you need to follow to manage gestational diabetes. Or share these with a loved one who is expecting:

1. Go to all your prenatal visits.
2. Follow your health care providers' recommendations and make a plan for controlling your blood sugar.
3. Stay physically active.
4. Make healthy food choices.
5. Ask your health care provider for a referral to a dietitian or a diabetes educator.

-- National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)


Posted 5/30/17