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Who gets gestational diabetes?

Approximately 3-8% of pregnant women can develop gestational diabetes, often at around 24 to 28 weeks' gestation. Factors that can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes include: being over 30 years of age; having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy; having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); having had a baby in a previous pregnancy whose weight at birth was more than 4.5 kilograms; being overweight or obese; having a family history of type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes, and; taking steroids or anti-psychotic medications. Women from some cultural and ethnic groups are also at a higher risk, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; people of Indian descent; people of Vietnamese and Chinese descent; people of Middle Eastern descent, and; people of Polynesian or Melanesian background.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It is marked by high blood sugar (glucose) levels in pregnant women who ordinarily don't have diabetes. It commonly occurs between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, and in some cases …

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

Women with gestational diabetes often have no noticeable symptoms. When they do appear, symptoms can include: increased thirst; increased hunger; needing to urinate more often; tiredness and fatigue; unexpected weight loss; infections of the …

What causes gestational diabetes?

Insulin is an important hormone that controls blood glucose levels. Normal pregnancy hormones that are produced by the placenta reduce the actions of insulin in the mother's body, an effect known as insulin resistance. If not enough insulin is produced to …

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test involves taking a blood sample after fasting overnight, then having a drink containing 75 grams of glucose, followed by further blood samples at one and two …

How is gestational diabetes treated?

Most women with gestational diabetes can control their condition using lifestyle measures such as eating a healthy diet and being physically active. Some women do require treatment with insulin to keep their blood glucose levels under control. Insulin …

Will gestational diabetes clear on its own?

Gestational diabetes needs to be managed during pregnancy to avoid complications for the mother and baby. Blood glucose tends to return to normal levels after birth.

Can gestational diabetes be prevented?

Gestational diabetes cannot always be prevented, but taking measures before pregnancy to achieve a healthy weight, good nutritional intake and exercise can help to reduce your risk. Prenatal care can help to diagnose gestational diabetes early and …

Will gestational diabetes keep coming back?

Women who have had gestational diabetes in one pregnancy are more likely to develop it in subsequent pregnancies. They also have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Is gestational diabetes serious?

While gestational diabetes can be readily managed with the combination of lifestyle measures such as a healthy diet, regular and appropriate physical activity and insulin (when required), if left untreated, it can have serious health effects on both mother …

Is my baby at risk if I have diabetes?

Having any form of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes) increases the risk of problems for your unborn baby. Your baby may be at risk of having abnormalities at birth, being larger at birth (which …

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About this article

Author: Kellie Heywood
First answered: 14 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Votes: 726 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Placental abruption

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