Gestational diabetes is the diagnosis for pregnant women who have never had diabetes, but who have high blood sugar levels. Four percent of all pregnant women, about 135,000 cases annually, are diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the United States. This form of diabetes usually ends after delivery. Gestational diabetes affects the mother late in her pregnancy while the baby is busy growing. Because of this, gestational diabetes does not cause the kinds of birth defects sometimes seen in babies whose mothers had diabetes before pregnancy.

Am I at risk for gestational diabetes?

The following factors increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes:

• being 20 percent or more over your ideal body weight
• family history of diabetes
• being over 25 years of age
• having gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
• previously giving birth to a baby over nine pounds
• having a previously unexplained stillbirth

While these are common factors, it's important to note that not all women who develop gestational diabetes will have these risk factors.

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. If you have developed gestational diabetes before, a test may be administered earlier in the pregnancy.

Your OBGYN or Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist will coordinate with Warren Clinic Diabetes Center to help you manage gestational diabetes. Diabetes management is more than a diet. We work with you to help develop a flexible, individual health plan that provides the tools needed to realize a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Learn More About Gestational Diabetes

For more information, please call our Diabetes Education Center at 918-499-4700.

Learn More About Saint Francis Pregnancy Services

For additional pregnancy information, or to learn more about having your baby at a Saint Francis hospital, view our Maternity Care section. If you need an OBGYN or primary healthcare provider, search our physician directory or call Saint Francis HealthLink at 918-488-6688