GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy
(gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells
use sugar (glucose). Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect your
pregnancy and your baby's health.

While any pregnancy complication is concerning, there's good news. Expectant

mothers can help control gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising and,
if necessary, taking medication. Controlling blood sugar can keep you and your baby
healthy and prevent a difficult delivery.

In women with gestational diabetes, blood sugar usually returns to normal soon after
delivery. But if you've had gestational diabetes, you have a higher risk of getting type
2 diabetes. You'll need to be tested for changes in blood sugar more often.

Risk factors

Some women have a greater risk of gestational diabetes. Risk factors for gestational
diabetes include the following:

 Overweight and obesity.

 A lack of physical activity.
 Previous gestational diabetes or prediabetes.
 Polycystic ovary syndrome.
 Diabetes in an immediate family member.
 Previously delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms).
 Race — Women who are Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian
American have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Complications

Gestational diabetes that's not carefully managed can lead to high blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby, including an increased
likelihood of needing a C-section to deliver.

Complications that may affect your baby

If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be at increased risk of:

 Excessive birth weight. Higher than normal blood sugar in mothers can cause
their babies to grow too large. Very large babies — those who weigh 9 pounds
or more — are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, have birth
injuries or need a C-section birth.
 Early (preterm) birth. High blood sugar may increase women's risk of early
labor and delivery before the due date. Or early delivery may be recommended
because the baby is large.
 Serious breathing difficulties. Babies born early to mothers with gestational
diabetes may experience respiratory distress syndrome — a condition that
makes breathing difficult.
 Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Sometimes babies of mothers with
gestational diabetes have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth.
Severe episodes of hypoglycemia may cause seizures in the baby. Prompt
feedings and sometimes an intravenous glucose solution can return the baby's
blood sugar level to normal.
 Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Babies of mothers who have
gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes
later in life.
 Stillbirth. Untreated gestational diabetes can result in a baby's death either
before or shortly after birth.
 Prevention
 There are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes —
but the more healthy habits you can adopt before pregnancy, the better. If you've
had gestational diabetes, these healthy choices may also reduce your risk of
having it again in future pregnancies or developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
 Eat healthy foods. Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories.
Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you
achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition. Watch portion
sizes.
 Keep active. Exercising before and during pregnancy can help protect you
from developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity
on most days of the week. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps.
Short bursts of activity — such as parking further away from the store when you
run errands or taking a short walk break — all add up too.
 Start pregnancy at a healthy weight. If you're planning to get pregnant, losing
extra weight beforehand may help you have a healthier pregnancy. Focus on
making lasting changes to your eating habits that can help you through
pregnancy, such as eating more vegetables and fruits.
 Don't gain more weight than recommended. Gaining some weight during
pregnancy is normal and healthy. But gaining too much weight too quickly can
up your risk of gestational diabetes. Ask your doctor what a reasonable amount
of weight gain is for you.
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