Fall • 2013
health
family
Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Walla Walla,
WA
Permit No. 44
Si necesita esta información en español, llame al 800-391-2000.
PREGNANCY AND DIABETES
Healthy you, healthy baby
WHEN YOU ARE HEALTHY, YOUR BABY IS MORE LIKELY TO BE TOO
Y
our goal is to have a healthy
baby. One way to help that
happen is to try not to get
gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is when
your blood sugar levels are too high
during pregnancy.
That can affect your baby’s
health. Your baby might:
■
■
Grow too large and be injured
during birth.
■
■
Be born with a birth defect.
■
■
Get diabetes later in life.
But there are steps you can take
to help prevent gestational diabetes.
Before pregnancy
1.
Have a checkup.
Ask your doctor
about your risks. Find out how to
get ready for pregnancy. Think you
might be pregnant? Schedule a visit
to see your doctor now.
2.
Try to reach a healthy weight.
It isn’t a good idea to lose weight
when you are pregnant.
During pregnancy
1.
Eat healthy meals.
Your doctor
can tell you what foods are best.
2.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Ask
your doctor how much you should
gain. And remember: You only need
300 extra calories a day to help the
baby grow.
3.
Get regular exercise.
TAKE ACTION.
November
is American Diabetes Month.
4.
Get regular care.
You should
start seeing your doctor as soon as
you find out you’re pregnant.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Diabetes
Association; March of Dimes; National Institutes of Health
