For most people, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) goes away a few weeks after giving birth. During your postpartum healthcare visits, your provider will have you take a test to check if your blood sugar has returned to normal.
For some people, gestational diabetes doesn’t go away after pregnancy. This means that you have diabetes. If tests show that you still have diabetes, your provider will work with you to develop a care plan.
What gestational diabetes means for your health
If you’ve had gestational diabetes, your risks are higher for some health issues:
- You are much more likely to have gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.
- You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later, especially in the five years after pregnancy.
- You are more likely to have higher cholesterol and triglycerides, which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Of course, each person has their own unique set of health risks. Black, Hispanic, and Asian people have higher risks for diabetes and heart disease than other groups, and family history and lifestyle also play a big role. Your healthcare provider can help you understand your risks and how to lower them.
The good news
There’s a lot you can do to reduce your risks for type 2 diabetes and heart disease
When you know your health risks, it means you can make changes to prevent health issues in the future — and feel your best now. Even small changes can make a big difference.
Here are some of the most powerful ways to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease:
- Stick to a healthy body weight. If you’re overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you are having trouble losing weight, speak to your doctor.
- Enjoy healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose foods that are lower in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Limit sodas, sweet tea, fruit juice, and other sugary drinks.
- Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week.
- See your primary care provider for regular checkups. Your provider will test for diabetes with an A1C test (which shows your blood sugar levels over the previous three months) and check your cholesterol and triglycerides. Visits are also a good time to talk about any other health concerns.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- American Diabetes Association. How to treat gestational diabetes. https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/life-stages/gestational-diabetes/how-to-treat-gestational-diabetes
California Department of Public Health. Gestational diabetes and postpartum care. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DMCAH/Pages/Diabetes/Postpartum.aspx - Mount Sinai. People Who Develop Diabetes After Pregnancy Are Less Likely to Regain Control of Blood Sugar If They Had Gestational Diabetes. https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2023/people-who-develop-diabetes-after-pregnancy-are-less-likely-to-regain-control-of-blood-sugar-if-they-had-gestational-diabetes
- Clinical Diabetes (American Diabetes Association). Good to Know: Race and Type 2 Diabetes. https://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article/38/4/403/35412/Good-to-Know-Race-and-Type-2-Diabetes
- UChicago Medicine. Heart disease and racial disparities: Why heart disease is more common in Black patients and how to prevent it. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/heart-and-vascular-articles/2021/february/heart-disease-and-racial-disparities
