I had diabetes during my last pregnancy. Am I at risk of diabetes in the future?
Answer:
Yes, you are at high risk both of having type 2 diabetes in the future and of having diabetes again with your next pregnancy. The reason for this is that women destined to get type 2 diabetes in middle age or beyond tend to be the same women who will develop diabetes in pregnancy. Therefore, the presence of diabetes in pregnancy is an indicator of future risk for type 2 diabetes. Because type 2 diabetes is a disorder of aging, the diabetes in pregnancy tends to be more severe and requires more intensive treatment with each successive pregnancy, unless steps are taken between pregnancies to reverse one or more risk factors, such as excess weight or lack of exercise.
