Gestational diabetes typically goes away once the baby is born. At least within six to 12 weeks after the baby is born, your numbers should return to normal. When it does not go away within this timeframe, the mother begins treatment as someone with type 2 diabetes. Your treatment may remain consistent with your gestational diabetes treatment, depending on your sugar rates throughout your pregnancy. However, there are things you can do to take control of your diabetes.

Whether you had gestational diabetes that has morphed into type 2 diabetes, or you had type 1 or type 2 diabetes before your pregnancy, it is more important than ever to manage your diabetes effectively once your baby is born. After all, you now must remain healthy so you can care for your new baby. That means you need to do the following:

• Get plenty of rest. It will be difficult with a new baby at home, but you still need seven to eight hours of sleep per night so that your body is able to use insulin effectively. Nap when your baby does if possible.
• Manage stress. Stress is brutal to the body. Especially for people living with diabetes. This is a stressful time, albeit happy stress. Learn techniques to cope with and manage your stress so that it doesn’t manage you.
• Create a diabetes management strategy. Work with your physician to come up with a strategy to manage your diabetes now and in the future so you are at your best to care for your new little one.

Once the baby comes, your life changes. That doesn’t mean you can afford to ignore your diabetes while caring for your baby. In fact, it is more important to manage your diabetes after the baby.