Frequently Asked Questions

Question: It is a lot of work and takes a lot of time to maintain the lifestyle changes I have made - exercising and careful meal planning, I don't think I'm going to be able to continue making those time commitments; can you give me reasons why I should?
Answer: Reach and maintain a reasonable weight. Even if you stay above your ideal weight, losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight is enough to make a big difference. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, losing 10 to 14 pounds and maintaining that weight loss can greatly reduce your chance of getting diabetes. Please use our Food Record, Activity Tracker, and Buddy System to help you maintain the lifestyle changes you have made.

Question: I have made these lifestyle changes, how do I keep being physically active with a newborn?
Answer: Being physically active during your child's first few years of life is most certainly a challenge, but finding ways to be physically active may be the most important thing you can do for you and your child(ren). Please go to our Activity Ideas pages for more information on being physically active with children.

Question: How physically active should I continue to be?
Answer: Be physically active for 30 minutes most days. Walk, swim, exercise, or go dancing. For more ideas on how to be physically active with a new baby and your children, please go to our Activity Ideas pages for suggestions on what you can do with your child and to our Activity Tracker page to log your activity.

Question: Is there anybody else out there like me? How are they dealing with this?
Answer: There are women like you out there. If you would like to connect personally with one of them, please go to our member Buddy system or Discussion board to find out more about how they are dealing with being at high risk for type 2 diabetes.

Question: What are the risks to my baby of my having had gestational diabetes?
Answer: Because you have had gestational diabetes, your child does have a greater chance of getting type 2 diabetes, but you can lower that chance by breastfeeding your baby and helping your child maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Please see our Activity Ideas page for ideas on how to be physically active with your child(ren), and our Nutrition page for information on healthy eating for you and your child(ren).

Question: My doctor said I don't have diabetes anymore, so why should I be concerned?
Answer: Because you have had gestational diabetes your chances of getting type 2 diabetes within the next 5-10 years is much higher than the average person and type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, lower-limb amputation, kidney disease, and nerve damage, and it is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States[1]. You can delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes with diligent efforts at a healthy diet and physical activity. Please use the Activity Tracker , Food Record, and Buddy System to help with maintaining the lifestyle changes you made during your pregnancy.

Reference
1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Diabetes Statistics. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.floyd.lib.umn.edu/dm/pubs/statistics/index.htm. Accessed January 26, 2007.