Gestational Diabetes: After Your Baby is Born
Gestational Diabetes: After Your Baby is BornYou’ve just given birth to a beautiful baby. But because you have gestational diabetes, you may be worriedabout your health and the health of your baby.After birth, your baby will be checked for possible problems, such as: Low blood glucose or hypoglycemia; Lowblood calcium and magnesium levels, and Trouble breathing.Over the next couple of days or weeks, your baby’s skin may turn a bit yellow.If so, call your baby’s healthcare provider. Your baby may have jaundice and will need to be tested.And as your baby grows older, they may have a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.But making healthy lifestyle choices as a family can help reduce these risks.After your baby is born, your hormone levels will decrease. And your insulin resistance and diabetes will mostlikely go away.If you want to breastfeed, do so. It’s good for you and your baby.The American Academy of Pediatrics advises breastfeeding for at least 6 months, and up to a year or longer, ifdesired.Because you have had gestational diabetes, you are at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes.So, you will need to have your blood glucose checked 6 to 8 weeks after you give birth and once a year afterthat.Call your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of high blood glucose or hyperglycemia. Theseinclude: Increased thirst; Frequent urination; Blurry vision; Fatigue, and; Cuts and sores that are slow to heal.Make sure to keep up all the healthy habits you developed while managing your gestational diabetes.And visit your dietitian for a new meal plan to use while breastfeeding and for your post-partum health.Making healthy food choices and being physically active can help you reach a healthy weight after giving birth.You’ll also lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes in the future.Eating healthy has really been huge, helping me have energy to take care of him throughout the day. So Ireally stuck with a lot of that diet once I was able to change it during the pregnancy. It was easy to continueafterwards. And it makes me feel healthy and happy.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
© The Wellness Network
