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Post-baby Weight Gain Raises Diabetes Risk in Next Pregnancy

preg By Anne Harding

Women who gain weight after giving birth for the first time dramatically increase their risk of developing pregnancy-related diabetes during their second pregnancy, a new study suggests.

Compared with women of similar height who maintain their weight, a 5-foot-4 woman who gains roughly 12 to 17 pounds after giving birth more than doubles her odds of developing diabetes during her second pregnancy, the study found. If she gains 18 pounds or more, she more than triples her odds.

(The study used body mass index, a ratio of height to weight, so problematic weight gain will vary according to a woman's height.)

Diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes, is influenced by hormonal changes and normal weight gain and usually goes away after the baby is born.

Women and Diabetes

The Menstrual Cycle And Diabetes

Fluctuations in hormone levels occur through the menstrual cycle and these fluctuations can affect blood sugar control. When estrogen levels are naturally high, your body may be resistant to its own insulin or injected insulin.

Many women find their blood sugar tends to be high 3-5 days before, during or after their periods.

Since everyone is different, the only way to manage blood sugars in a setting where sensitivity to insulin changes is to test and record blood sugars four or more times a day the week before, during and after your period for at least 2 or 3 months to find your own pattern. This allows you to adjust your insulin doses and carb intake both before and during this time to better control your blood sugar.

Patti LaBelle - The Diabetic

patti_labelle When Patti LaBelle learned she had diabetes after passing out onstage 14 years ago, the legendary singer said she thought that meant no more fun in the kitchen.

For years, the Grammy Award winner loved to whip up "twelve-egg potato salad, seven-cheese macaroni and all that stuff that I used to eat like crazy," LaBelle, 64, tells PEOPLE. "I was hooked on fried chicken and pasta."

Determined to get her diabetes in check, the singer completely revamped the way she cooked – and gave herself an attitude adjustment. "I said, 'I'm not going to let it get me,' " says LaBelle, whose third cookbook, Recipes for the Good Life, comes out this month.

She still gives her meals "diva love," but LaBelle sticks to recipes from her book’s Light and Healthy chapter. "Instead of frying my fish, like I used to do, I sauté it. I spice everything," says the singer, who also has a line of spice blends. "Because I can’t use butter, these days I am a fresh garlic fanatic."