Aboriginal - pregnancy and diabetes

Aboriginal; pregnancy; diabetes; gestational; type 2; Torres Strait Islander; blood; sugar; vegetables; lean; meat; fish; wholegrain;

Contents

• Diabetes before pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes
• Looking after diabetes in pregnancy
• Breastfeeding your baby
• As your baby grows

Mothers who have diabetes when they are pregnant need extra care from their doctor and health team.

Diabetes before pregnancy

If you already have diabetes and are planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. It is important to have good blood sugar control before you become pregnant.

Gestational diabetes

Women can get gestational diabetes when pregnant. You will need to have a test at around 24 to 28 weeks of your pregnancy to see if you have gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is more common in women who:

• have type 2 diabetes in the family
• have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy before
• are overweight
• are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Looking after diabetes in pregnancy

You need to have good blood sugar levels during your pregnancy.

High blood sugar levels can make you and your baby sick. Your baby can grow too big and have problems after birth.

• Eat healthy foods - plenty of vegetables, some fruit, lean meat, fish and low fat milk.
  
• Have some cereal foods like brown bread, grainy bread, wholegrain breakfast cereals and wholemeal pasta. Don't have too much rice, damper or white bread.
• Cut out fatty foods like cakes, biscuits, fatty meat and fried food.
• Cut out sugary drinks - drink plenty of water instead.
  
• Be active every day. Check with your doctor about safe levels of physical activity for you.
• Watch your weight.
• Take your medicine as instructed by your health worker.
• Check your blood sugar levels often.
• See your doctor often.
  

Breastfeeding your baby

Breastfeeding can help protect your baby from becoming overweight and getting diabetes when they are older. Breastfeeding also helps you get back into shape and helps to protect you from developing Type 2 diabetes.
 

The longer you breastfeed, the more it will benefit you and your baby.

 

As your baby grows

You can help protect your baby from developing diabetes later in life by making sure they:

• eat healthy foods
• keep physically active
• avoid junk food and sugary drinks - water and milk are the best drinks
• stay at a healthy weight.
  

 

The information in this topic is attributed to ©State of Queensland (Queensland Health)

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see your doctor or midwife.