Diabetes affects more than three percent of pregnancies in the UK, known as gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Generally, it affects women in the first trimester and can generally be controlled through one’s diet. It is something to monitor though, as women suffering with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first five years after the birth of their baby. In the first six weeks after birth, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommend that you have your blood glucose levels checked, switching to annual check-ups after this. According to studies, just 13 percent of women with gestational diabetes receive the right treatment and care after birth.
According to researchers, there has been a huge rise in the number of cases of gestational diabetes in recent years. Scientists suggest that tests for this condition should be offered routinely in order to diagnose it early, and that women should be confident in speaking to their GP about follow-up checks after the birth itself. This is one of the best ways of reducing the number of women developing postnatal type 2 diabetes. If you’re worried about remembering to check in with your GP, ask your surgery to set up an alert so that you can book appointments at the various stages for check-ups.
Your lifestyle plays a big part in your risk of diabetes at any stage, so you should aim to lower your intake of fat and sugar, replacing them with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Likewise, you should aim to increase your exercise to burn calories, maintain a healthy weight and keep your body functioning effectively. You can speak to your GP about how to go about changing your lifestyle in place of healthier choices. The main changes should be a balanced diet and a healthy dose of physical activity to improve your overall wellbeing.
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