Gestational Diabetes

• Occurs in pregnant women who don’t already have diabetes
• At approximately 24-28 weeks of pregnancy
• Hormones which help the baby grow are blocked by insulin

An individual is at great risk if they are:

• Overweight (Body Mass Index of 25 or over)
• 25 years or older
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Hispanic, Native American, African American, Asian or a Pacific Islander
• Or given birth to a baby over nine pounds or more

After giving birth:

• Blood glucose should be tested six weeks after the baby is born.
• Gestational diabetes usually goes away however an individual is more likely to get type 2 diabetes in the future. The risk is approximately 50% 7 to 10 years after giving birth depending on the individuals ethnicity. The risk will continue to increase after this.
• It is important that any weight gained during pregnancy is lost. If an individual is overweight or obese, they should lose an additional 7% below their preconception weight. This will decrease their chances of developing diabetes by 50% to 60%.
• Women with a history of gestational diabetes should have an HbA1c measured annually to determine if they have progressed to type 2 diabetes.