Postpartum Care for Patients With Diabetes: A Comprehensive and Whole-Life Approach

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic syndrome, mood disorders, intimate partner violence, and additional sequelae. These risks may persist beyond the pregnancy into the postpartum period. Comprehensive management and counseling require an understanding of the physiology of the puerperium, types of potential complications, and evidence behind management options. This review will discuss evidence-based immediate postpartum management, the impact of lactation on diabetes, and the long-term and transgenerational impact of diabetes in pregnancy.