One type of diabetes you may not see a lot about is gestational diabetes. With November being National Diabetes Month, this year the educational efforts are being focused on promoting health after gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes typically goes away after the baby is born, however, the mother and the baby are at a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. The statistics show that half of all women who had gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

Eating and activity habits are contributing factors of gestational and type 2 diabetes. Healthy weight gain during pregnancy helps you to have an easier pregnancy and delivery and helps your baby grow to a healthy size and lowers their chances of obesity and weight-related problems later in life. It may also help to make it easier to get back to your normal weight after delivery.

Here are some tips for pregnancy:

- Check with your healthcare provider about how much weight should be gained during your pregnancy.

- Eat food sources rich in folate, iron, calcium and protein. Your medical provider may suggest prenatal supplements.

- Eat breakfast every day. If you are feeling sick to your stomach in the morning, try eating dry whole-wheat toast or whole-grain crackers when you first wake up—even before getting out of bed. Then eat additional foods later in the morning.

- Eat foods high in fiber and drink a lot of water to avoid constipation.

- Cut back on “junk” foods and soft drinks.

- Avoid alcohol, raw or undercooked fish, fish high in mercury, undercooked meat and poultry and soft cheeses.

- Be physically active most days, or all, days of the week during your pregnancy, under your medical providers’ direction.

- After pregnancy, slowly get back to your routine of regular, moderate-intensity physical activity.

- Return to a healthy weight slowly.

In addition, if you had gestational diabetes, get tested for type 2 diabetes within 12 weeks after giving birth. If the test is normal, get tested every 3 years. Early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes allows for lifestyle changes which can delay or prevent progression of type 2 diabetes.

The above information was compiled from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.

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Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.

Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach