Gestational Diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This causes your blood sugar levels to become higher than normal and can affect pregnant women who have never been diagnosed with diabetes before. Gestational diabetes will go away after you have given birth but may raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
For many women, gestational diabetes does not cause any apparent signs or symptoms, which is why it is important that you visit your doctor early to check for your risk of developing this condition. There are some people who may have a greater risk for developing gestational diabetes, including those who:
- Are overweight.
- Have had gestational diabetes or prediabetes previously.
- Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
- Have an immediate family member who is diabetic.
- Have previously delivered a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.