Where does it come from?
Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is defined by high blood sugar levels now, but those levels were normal before you got pregnant. In short, your placenta makes hormones that can lead to a buildup of glucose in your blood. Usually, your pancreas can make enough insulin to handle that extra glucose. If your pancreas can’t keep up, your blood sugar levels will increase. You will want to talk to your doctor about simple things you can do to manage your blood sugar levels.
After your baby is born, gestational diabetes usually goes away naturally. Gestational diabetes makes you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, so it may be worth following up with your physician to stay healthy.
Are You at Risk for Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational Diabetes affects between 2% and 10% of pregnancies in the United States each year. You are more likely to get gestational diabetes if you:
- were overweight before you got pregnant
- have diabetes in your family history
- have had gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy
- have given birth to a baby larger than 9 pounds before
- have given birth to a baby with certain birth defects
- are of African American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American descent
Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes generally develops in the second half of your pregnancy. Your provider checks for this between weeks 24 and 28 of your pregnancy. If you have some risk factors, your doctor may test earlier into your pregnancy, so don’t be surprised if it does happen earlier.
Your physician will track how much weight you gain over your pregnancy and will update you if you need to take further action. If you have questions, give us a call at (941) 745-5115 today to learn more about gestational diabetes.
