Understanding Gestational Diabetes: Causes and Risk Factors

Apr 26

Gestational diabetes can be a scary diagnosis for expecting mothers. Learn about the causes and risk factors of this condition in this informative guide.

Any pregnant woman can get gestational diabetes. But, some women are more at risk than others. You are at greater risk if you:

Have diabetes in your family
Had gestational diabetes in another pregnancy
Had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
Excessive weight gain during the pregnancy
Are of Hispanic/Latin, Native American, Asian American or African American background
Had an unexplained stillbirth (a baby who died before birth)
Had a baby born with birth defects of unknown cause
Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Presence of glucosuria - sugar in urine
Are overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 25)

Women with one or more of these risks are more likely to have gestational diabetes. Pregnant women with risks may be tested for gestational diabetes at their first prenatal

Source: Sweet Success, California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program? CDAPP, 2014