Introduction
Congratulations! By opening this booklet, you are taking a key step in caring for your growing body. This booklet will also talk about balancing mind, body, and spirit. It is important to understand your body and how to care for it so that you can make decisions that will help you stay healthy.
Becoming a woman means that you will make choices, like if and when to have sex or to have a baby. This booklet will:
- Give you information about your changing body, sex, and how to plan for pregnancy
- Teach you about diabetes during pregnancy and how you can decrease your chances of getting GDM
- Teach you how being overweight can affect your period, a pregnancy, and a baby
- Teach you how to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby, when you feel it is the right time
- Help you feel more comfortable talking with someone you trust, like your mom, grandmother, aunties, or friends, about things like sex and pregnancy.
Did you know that American Indian and Alaska Native women are more likely than other women to get diabetes during pregnancy? That can be bad for both the mom and her baby. The good news is that you can prevent diabetes during pregnancy. This booklet will show you how.
In addition to the information in this booklet, you will have access to resources to help you learn more about preventing GDM. The resources provide helpful ideas and Community Resources are specific to your area and tribe.