Postpartum Diabetes Care - An Overview

Neonatal hypoglycemia is reported to occur in almost 50% and 5-20% of children born to women with chronic and gestational diabetes, respectively. Given the risks involved, it is essential to prevent neonatal hypoglycemia by monitoring the insulin requirements of the mother peri- and post-partum. Along with individualized insulin dose monitoring and adjustment, calorie intake should also be evaluated and modified, if required based on guideline recommendations. Furthermore, women with gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Hence, it is essential to create awareness not only about risks associated withthe immediate development of diabetes but also in subsequent years postpartum. Appropriate counseling should be provided and lifestyle changes should be encouraged to improve outcomes in women with type-2 diabetes and also reduce the risk, or delay the transformation of gestational diabetes to type-2 diabetes.