What is gestational diabetes?

Characterized by high blood glucose levels found in the blood during pregnancy, between three and five percent of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. Caused by increased hormone production (made in the placenta) that interferes with the body's ability to manage insulin.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes may include:

- Being overweight prior to becoming pregnant (if you are 20% or more over your ideal body weight)
- Family history of diabetes (if your parents or siblings have diabetes)
- Being over age 25
- Previously giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds
- Previously giving birth to a stillborn baby
- Having gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy
- Having too much amniotic fluid (a condition called polyhydramnios)

More than half of all women who develop gestational diabetes have no risk factors. Insulin resistance typically develops between the 24th and 28th week of gestation, and while not known to cause any specific birth defects or issues during labor and delivery, may result in the newborn having low blood sugar (treated at birth with a sugar water mix) and monitoring for low blood sugar. There is also a slight increase in risk that your newborn may develop jaundice which is easily treated by special lighting. Newborns are not at an increased risk of developing diabetes if the mother has gestational diabetes.

For most women, once they give birth and hormone levels return to normal, they no longer have diabetes concerns. However, there is an increased risk for these women to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life, and also a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes with subsequent pregnancies.

Eating healthy meals is always important when you are pregnant, however if you have developed gestational diabetes, your diet will be even more important. If you have gestational diabetes you should:

- Eat three small meals and two or three snacks at regular times every day.
- Do not skip meals or snacks.
- Eat less carbohydrate at breakfast than at other meals because this is when insulin resistance is the greatest.
- Try to eat a consistent amount of carbohydrate during each meal and snack.
- Choose foods high in fiber such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
- Eat foods with less sugar and fat.
- Drink at least 8 cups (or 64 ounces) of liquids per day.

Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet. Ask your doctor about taking a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement to meet the nutritional needs of your pregnancy

Depending on your blood glucose levels, your physician may prescribe insulin while you are pregnant. Insulin is administered by a needle and your physician will explain how to do this. It is important that if you have any questions or concerns while you are pregnant and treating your gestational diabetes that you contact your physician immediately.