Gestational diabetes in pregnant women increases health complications for themselves and their unborn children, as well as the risk of their children developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Now, results of the largest study ever performed, following women who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, have been presented this week at the European Congress of Endocrinology.

What was the study about?

Researchers from Helsinki University Hospital followed a cohort of 391 women who had developed gestational diabetes for 23 years to determine whether they subsequently developed type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

What were the results?

A small number (5.7%) developed type 1 diabetes but the most dramatic finding of the study was that 50% of the women developed type 2 diabetes.

What does this mean?

This study highlights the fact that having gestational diabetes during pregnancy is a high risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and therefore these women should take active measures to reduce that risk.

What can we do about it?

Following a carbohydrate restricted diet is probably the single most effective measure to reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Defeat Diabetes Program gives you the tools and knowledge you need to reduce that risk with videos, articles, meal plans, recipes and cooking demonstrations.

Together, we can defeat diabetes.