Gestational Diabetes Facts

What causes gestational diabetes, and how is it treated?

What is it?


How often does it occur, and what are the symptoms?

About 2 to 4 percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, with most experiencing extreme hunger, thirst, or fatigue. You may be at risk if you're over age 30, are obese, have a family history of diabetes, or previously gave birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds or was stillborn.

What causes it?


What's the treatment?


At least once a week, you'll visit your physician to get your blood sugar levels checked. If the prescribed diet fails to stabilize your blood sugar after about two weeks, you'll probably have to give yourself daily insulin injections throughout your pregnancy and monitor your blood sugar levels at home. During your third trimester, your physician will track the well-being and size of your baby with tests like ultrasound and fetal heart rate monitoring. If your baby reaches a weight of 9 pounds or more, your doctor will likely recommend a cesarean delivery. But if your baby appears healthy and of a normal size, and your blood sugar levels are well controlled, you'll probably be able to deliver vaginally.


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