Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes may occur when you are pregnant. The word gestational means pregnant. Diabetes means the levels of sugar (glucose) in your blood are high. Your body turns many foods into sugar. If you have diabetes, your body has trouble using this sugar.

It is important to know if you have gestational diabetes. Once you know, you can take care of your diabetes and have a healthy baby. Only your health care provider can determine if you have gestational diabetes. Talk to your doctor about your risk. If your doctor told you that you have gestational diabetes, some of the handouts below can help you to understand and better take care of yourself and your baby.

Resources:

• Getting Checked for Gestational Diabetes - English

  • La Prueba Para Diabetes Gestational - Spanish

• Carbohydrate Counting - English

  • Recursos para el recuento carbohidratos Spanish

• Portion Size Card -English only

• My Gestational Diabetes Record - English

  • Mi registro de diabetes gestacional - Spanish

• It's Never Too Early... To Prevent Diabetes - English

  • Nunca es muy temprano... para prevenir la diabetes - Spanish

• Postpartum Reminder Card - English

  • Tarjeta de recuerdo postparto - Spanish

Many of these materials were developed with funding from the Colorado Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

The Women's Health Unit, the Colorado Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and HealthTeamWorks, have worked together since 2005 to provide information for Colorado providers on standards of care for gestational diabetes. The documents provided here have been developed over the years for use in practices and with clients. A number of the client handouts are available in both English and Spanish and are located on the "For Women and Families" tab.

In 2009, the Colorado Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, hosted two webcasts on gestational diabetes. The archived presentations are available by clicking on the "Training" tab.

Resources:

• Gestational Diabetes - Addendum 2009

• Colorado Clinical Guidelines on Gestational Diabetes - Short Form

• Colorado Clinical Guidelines on Gestational Diabetes - Long Form

• GDM Clinical Guidelines Reference Page

• Colorado Nutrition Guidelines on Gestational Diabetes

• Nutrition Guidelines Reference Page

• GDM Nutrition Education Resources

• GDM Care Flow Sheet

The Colorado Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, in collaboration with the Diabetes Education Society, Inc., offered two educational webcasts in February 2009 for medical providers, nurses, RDs, CDEs, social workers, and other public health and community health workers. The presentations have been archived and can be accessed below. CEUs are no longer available.

Gestational Diabetes: Putting Guidelines Into Practice - archived 2.13.09

• Access webinar here

• PowerPoint slides for 2.13.09

• Clinical Guideline Webcast References - 2.13.09

• Additional Handouts - Please refer to clinical guideline materials posted "For Professionals," and client education materials "For Women and Families."

Gestational Diabetes: Putting Guidelines Into Practice Training Objectives

1. Recognize risk factors for GDM and discuss methods for preventing the development of GDM

2. Relate the Colorado Clinical Guidelines for GDM to your practice

3. Recognize client challenges and barriers to adequately care for GDM

4. Identify educational tools & resources available for clients

5. Discuss the long-term risk of GDM in the development of type 2 diabetes for both mother and child

Gestational Diabetes: Nutrition Messages You Need To Know - archived 2.27.09

• Access webinar here 

• PowerPoint slides for 2.27.09

• Nutrition Webcast References - 2.27.09

• Additional Handouts - Please refer to nutrition guideline materials posted "For Professionals," and client education materials "For Women and Families."

 Gestational Diabetes: Nutrition Messages You Need To Know Training Objectives

1. Discuss nutrition-based GDM prevention messages for preconception and early prenatal care
2. List at least 3 Nutrition Guidelines for GDM for clients
3. Recognize client challenges and barriers to making diet changes during pregnancy
4. List common food selections for different ethnic populations and describe how to appropriately adjust nutrition messaging
5. List educational tools & resources available for use with client
6. Discuss important postpartum nutrition messages to help prevent future development of type 2 diabetes for mother and child

Children, Youth and Families Branch

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Prevention Services Division

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

Denver, CO 80246

Tel: 303-692-2370