If you had gestational diabetes when you were

pregnant, you and your child have a lifelong risk 

for getting diabetes. 

Because of this risk, you need to be tested for 

diabetes after your baby is born, then at least

every three years. Reduce your risk by taking 

small steps for you and your family. If you weigh

too much, you can prevent or delay type 2 

diabetes if you lose a small amount of weight 

and become more active.

Your children can lower their risk for 

type 2 diabetes if they don’t become overweight. 

Serve them healthy foods and help them to 

be more active. 

What is Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al)

Diabetes? 

It is a type of diabetes that occurs 

when women are pregnant. Having 

it raises their risk for getting diabetes,

mostly type 2, for the rest of their lives.

African American, Hispanic/Latina,

American Indian, and Alaska Native

women have the highest risk.

A Lifetime of Small Steps for 

A Healthy Family

National Diabetes Education Program www.YourDiabetesInfo.org
Action Steps 

FOR YOU:

1. Ask your doctor if you had gestational 

diabetes. If so, let your future health care

providers know.

2. Get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after 

your baby is born, then at least every 3

years. 

3. Breastfeed your baby. It may lower your 

child’s risk of being overweight or obese.

These are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. 

4. Talk to your doctor if you plan to become 

pregnant again in the future. 

5. Try to reach your pre-pregnancy weight 

6 to 12 months after your baby is born.

Then, if you still weigh too much, work to lose 

at least 5 to 7 percent (10 to 14 pounds if you

weigh 200 pounds) of your body weight 

slowly, over time, and keep it off. 

6. Make healthy food choices such as fruits 

and vegetables, fish, lean meats, dry beans

and peas, whole grains, and low-fat or skim

milk and cheese. Choose water to drink. 

7. Eat smaller portions of healthy foods to help 

you reach and stay at a healthy weight.

8. Be active at least 30 minutes, 5 days per week

to help burn calories and lose weight.

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:

1. Ask your child’s doctor for an eating plan to help your child grow properly 

and stay at a healthy weight. Tell your child’s

doctor that you had gestational diabetes. Tell

your child about his or her risk for diabetes. 

2. Help your children make healthy food choices and help them to be active at

least 60 minutes a day.

3. Follow a healthy lifestyle together as a family. Help family members stay at a

healthy weight by making healthy food 

choices and moving more. 

4. Limit TV, video, and computer game timeto an hour or two a day. 

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)

offers materials that can help you and your 

family make healthy food choices to prevent or

delay type 2 diabetes. You can order a booklet 

for adults at risk called Your GAME PLAN to 

Prevent type 2 Diabetes, and a tip sheet for 

children at risk called Lower Your Risk for 

type 2 Diabetes.

To get your free copies go to

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or 

call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education

Program is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention with the support of more than 200 partner organizations. 

Francine Kaufman, M.D., Head, Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at

May 2010 NIH Publication No. 08-6019 Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles,CA, reviewed this material for accuracy.