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11 Nov '20

5 ways to salute moms and moms-to-be this National Diabetes Awareness Month

2 min read
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(BPT) - Moms are often the driving force behind their children’s health, helping them make good choices and practice self-care so they grow into healthy adults. Diabetes can add a unique and full-time challenge to what is already a 24/7 job.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2-10% of pregnancies in the US are affected by gestational diabetes — diabetes that begins in pregnancy. Gestational diabetes often goes away after the baby is born, but about 50% of women with this condition develop Type 2 diabetes later; risk doubles for African American and Hispanic women.

“Motherhood is hard work; diabetes is too,” said Enrico Repetto, MD, Medical Director at Roche Diabetes Care. “This National Diabetes Awareness Month, we want to give the spotlight to moms and moms-to-be wherever they are — at home, at work, in the military — and support their awareness of diabetes during pregnancy and how it increases risks of developing this chronic disease later in life for both mother and baby.”

What to know:

  • Gestational diabetes has been increasing in the US over the last 30 years. And, rates of gestational diabetes doubled among women in the active and reserve component and among female Military Health Service dependents.
  • Babies of women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, reports Mayo Clinic.
  • Beginning pregnancy at a healthy weight and maintaining it with healthy habits, such as a nutritious diet and regular exercise, helps reduce risk.

Ways to thank moms and moms-to be:

  • Share this information about gestational diabetes with a mom-to-be.
  • Tell a mom or mom-to-be you appreciate how hard she works for those she loves and serves, especially if she’s in the military.
  • If you have diabetes and your mom has been by your side through the experience, thank her for her dedication to your health.
  • Make a nice meal for your mom, someone who is like a mother to you, or someone you know living with diabetes this November.
  • National Diabetes Awareness Month is a good time to learn about diabetes and show those living with it and those at risk that you understand and support them.

Please visit www.accu-chek.com/MomsAndDiabetes to learn more.