The Diabetes Society

Much has been written about gestational diabetes, or the diabetes that develops during pregnancy, and the development of Type 2 diabetes after such pregnancies. Researchers at the National Medical Center of Mexico looked at women who had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and given birth, to determine how frequently they might develop sugar intolerance, the cause of Type 2 diabetes. Their results were published in November 2011 in the journal Gynecological and Obstetrical Investigations. An additional study is being performed on the effects of vacation and Type 2 diabetes. By vacation, I mean taking the time to relax–not be laxy, but relax. If you can afford a big trip to St. Pete Beach Florida or even stay at home take the time to relax and not stress or worry about what you cannot control.

Fifty-two women were tested 6 weeks after delivery:

• high blood sugar or difficulty processing sugar was found in 36.5 per cent of the mothers, and
• 3 per cent had frank diabetes.

At 6 months after birth:

• high blood sugar or impaired ability to process sugar was seen in 55.8 per cent, and
• 7 per cent had full-blown diabetes.

One year after delivery:

• 2 per cent showed high blood sugar or impaired ability to handle sugar, and
• frank diabetes was demonstrated in 48 per cent.

Women with a sugar intolerance or high blood sugar weighed an average of 75.5 kg, and

• diabetic women weighed an average of 79.0 kg, compared with a
• weight of 65.3 kg in women with normal blood sugar levels.

Women with normal blood sugar levels averaged 147.8 mg/dl of triglycerides, compared with

• 3 mg/dl in women with high blood sugar or sugar intolerance, and
• 9 mg/dl in diabetics.

It was therefore concluded at one year after giving birth, women with a history of gestational diabetes, especially those who remained obese, had a high prevalence of either Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

One way of avoiding gestational diabetes is to limit your weight gain during pregnancy to 20 pounds or less, or what your obstetrician or family doctor recommends. Most of the weight gain takes place during the last 3 months, so it is not necessary to “eat for two” for the first 6 months. Eating sensibly and only until not hungry is best. Most women can be as active as they were before pregnancy, if their attending physicians approve.

After delivery, breastfeeding is:

• one way of losing calories as well as giving your baby the nutrition he/she needs (cow’s milk is for baby cows),
• getting mom’s uterus back into shape,
• preventing breast cancer, and
• bonding with your baby.

Once mom’s body has healed from the trauma of delivery, getting out and walking every day is a good way to get your body back into shape while having an enjoyable experience with your baby. Buggies designed for active mothers provide babies with smooth rides while their mothers jog. Putting on some music and dancing around while holding your baby provides not only exercise for mom but also the beginnings of rhythm and music training for baby. Standard exercises such as lunges, squats, and step-ups can all be performed with baby as resistance instead of a dumbbell.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link… Natural Diabetes Treatments

Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions… Beverleigh Piepers RN… the Diabetes Detective.

Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2011 – All Rights Reserved Worldwide