Gestational Diabetes

What Is Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes complicates about 3%-5% of all pregnancies-affecting approximately 200,000 women each year in the US. It is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body more insulin intolerable. If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause serious complications for both mother and child. It typically develops around 24 weeks and goes away after giving birth, though women with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In most cases, symptoms of gestational diabetes disappear immediately after pregnancy – only 5-10% of women with gestational diabetes remain diabetic (typically type 2 diabetics). However, gestational diabetes does raise the risk of developing diabetes in later years. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 35% to 60% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10–20 years. Recently implemented diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes will increase the proportion of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Using these new diagnostic criteria, an international, multicenter study of gestational diabetes found that gestational diabetes actually affects 18% of pregnancies.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes

Risk Factors For Gestational Diabetes

Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Prognosis

Living With Gestational Diabetes

Screening

Prevention

Medication And Treatment

Complementary and Alternative Treatment

When To Contact A Doctor

Questions For Your Doctor

Questions For A Doctor