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Many women rightfully want to know if diabetes will persist after the baby is born. It probably will not. Only a small percentage of women with gestational diabetes will continue to have it after delivery, but many experts suspect these women had diabetes before conceiving. To be sure that your condition has improved, a glucose test will be ordered about 6 to 12 weeks after delivery which will need an overnight fast.
Getting gestational diabetes will increase chances of getting diabetes later in life. About two-thirds of women who had the condition will have it in future pregnancies and about 50 percent of women get gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years after delivery.
Gestational diabetes will typically leave after the birth but there is a now a higher risk for you to developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies (2 in 3 chance). In a few women, pregnancy will uncover type 1 or type 2 diabetes and it’s hard to tell if they had diabetes prior to conceiving or just started showing their diabetes during pregnancy. For these women, they will need to continue diabetes treatment after pregnancy.
You’re considered high risk if you meet the following:
- If you’re considered obese
- You had high blood sugar levels during pregnancy that required insulin
- Your diabetes was diagnosed early in the pregnancy
- The postpartum glucose test results were borderline - high but not high enough to be considered diabetic
For many women, gestational diabetes will leave but they may develop type 2 diabetes later in life as there is a strong link between the tendency to have gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes later in life. Both conditions involve insulin resistance.
Making chances in your lifestyle can help prevent diabetes after gestational diabetes.
- Lose weight – If you are more than 20% over your ideal body weight you will be at higher risk of becoming diabetic. Losing a few extra pounds will help you avoid developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Choosing Healthy Foods – Eat a variety of food including fresh fruits and vegetables, watch your portions and limit fat intake to less than 30% or less of daily calories. Healthy eating habits can go a long way in preventing diabetes.
- Exercise – Regular exercise will allow your body to use glucose without needing extra insulin. It can help combat insulin resistance but make sure to check with your doctor before starting an exercise regime.
Gestational diabetes is a cause of concern, but the good news is that you can lower your high blood glucose levels. With the help of your doctor and health team, you can turn your concerns into making a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby.
Your doctor will instruct you on how often your blood sugar will need to be tested which may be one to three years if the postpartum tests return normal. Keeping your weight down, exercising regularly and making good food choices can ward off the disease. You also may want to avoid using the progestin-only Pill for contraception after you’ve had the baby as it may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you’re someone who recently had gestational diabetes.
Your child may have a higher risk of developing child or adult obesity or even developing diabetes. It’s important for your children to eat a good diet, stay physically active and keep up a healthy weight for their age group. You will want your child’s health care doctor to know about your gestational diabetes.