When people have diabetes, the body doesn't produce enough insulin or it can't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. It lets the body turn blood sugar into fat or energy.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. About 4 out of every 100 pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.
If gestational diabetes is left untreated, the baby faces an increased risk of:
- Being born too large (10 pounds or more)
- Birth defects
- Stillbirth
- Newborn complications
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery. But women who get it have a 2 out of 3 chance of having it again in another pregnancy. They also have an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.
What you can do:
You will probably be screened for gestational diabetes between your 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. If you do have gestational diabetes, you can probably control it with diet and exercise. If not, you may have to give yourself insulin injections and monitor your blood sugar levels at home. A weight loss and exercise program started after delivery can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes in future pregnancies and later in life.
For more information, read the fact sheet Diabetes in Pregnancy.
November 2008







