Table of Contents

Introduction

1. What is GDM?
2. What can happen to a woman during pregnancy if she is overweight?
3. What can happen to the baby during pregnancy if the mother is overweight?
4. What’s a healthy weight?

Part One - Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Prevention

1. Overview of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
   1. Why do women get GDM?
   2. Who gets GDM?
      • Am I at risk?
   3. How do you know if you have GDM?
      • Importance of blood sugar checks
   4. Why does pregnancy cause GDM?
      • Sugar connection
   5. Why should I lower my chances of getting GDM?
   6. How does GDM affect my Future Pregnancies?
   7. How do high blood sugars affect pregnancy?
   8. How does GDM affect pregnancy?
      • High blood sugar effects on baby
      • High blood sugar effects on mother
   9. How can I decrease my chances of getting GDM?
      • Planning pregnancies
      • Blood sugar checks
      • Healthy weight
   10. How would planning my future pregnancies help my baby and me?
2. Prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
   1. How to decrease my chances of getting GDM
      • Have a healthy weight
      • Healthy eating
        • Rethinking your drink
        • Healthy Native plate
        • Eating right amounts
        • Cutting back on junk food/fast food
        • Cooking tips
        • Balance
        • Meal suggestions
        • Food journals
      • Physical activity
        • Physical activity goals
        • What counts as physical activity
      • Confidence about being healthy
3. Who can help me decrease my chances of getting GDM?
   1. Talking with your mom or an adult you trust
      • Tips to get started
   2. Talking with a doctor or nurse
      • Tips to get started

Part Two - Taking Care of your Body: Balancing Mind, Body, Spirit

1. Healthy Body and Healthy Pregnancy
   1. Changing body
      • What is puberty?
        • Changes on inside/outside
        • Starting periods
        • Living with your hormones
        • Boys go through it, too
   2. Sex and Pregnancy?
      • Sex definition
      • What can happen
        • Unplanned pregnancy
        • Prevention of unplanned pregnancy
        • Family Planning
   3. How do women get pregnant?
      • Sex/fertilization
      • Development of baby
   4. Why should I plan my future pregnancies?
      • Importance of blood sugar
   5. Overweight and Pregnancy
      • High blood pressure
      • PCOS
      • Risks of complications
        • Problems for the woman
        • Problems for the baby
2. Pre-pregnancy advice and planning a pregnancy
   1. It’s never too early to learn about pregnancy
   2. Preventing GDM by planning a pregnancy
      • How to prepare
   3. Things to do to stay healthy during pregnancy
   4. Becoming confident about your future
   5. Take the first step
      • Talking with partner
      • Goals to make for the future
3. Glossary – Defining Terms Used in This Booklet