7 Gestational Diabetes Symptoms And Risk Factors

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that is induced by being pregnant. This type of diabetes affects the mother's blood sugar levels and high levels can affect your pregnancy and the baby's health. The third trimester is usually when the risks are the highest. About 4% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes. High risk women are screened as soon as possible during their pregnancies and all other women will be screened at between 24 and 28 weeks.

There are very few symptoms of gestational diabetes, and its detection should be a regular part of your pre-natal care. A blood test will determine if you require further testing to see if you are suffering from this disorder. Further testing will involve a glucose test that has you drink a sugary solution and then test your blood sugar levels.

Treatment usually involved exercise, eating changes, checking blood sugar often and possibly taking insulin shots to keep blood sugar levels within a target range. Again, there are few symptoms, but many risk factors you can consider.

1. Two possible symptoms of gestational diabetes are increased thirst and too frequent urination. You may also experience increased hunger or blurred vision. These can be difficult to differentiate from typical pregnancy symptoms.

2. Another risk factor is based on age. In particular, risk goes up after the age of 25.

3. Pre-diabetes, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, are also indications to watch for. While every pregnant woman will have some elevation of blood sugar while pregnant, it is not normal to reach diabetic levels.

4. Other risk factors include previous unexplained stillbirth, or a baby that weighed more than 9 lbs. Gestational diabetes can cause birth defects and increased risk for miscarriage in early pregnancy months. In the last trimester, it can cause over-nutrition and excess growth for the baby. Large babies increase risks during labor and delivery.

5. If you are overweight by 20% or more of your ideal weight prior to becoming pregnant, you increase your risk.

6. If member of your close family such as a parent or sibling have diabetes, you are also at increased risk of developing it during pregnancy. Diabetes is genetic and tends to be handed down in families.

7. Developing gestational diabetes means you will be checked regularly after your pregnancy to make sure blood sugar levels have returned to normal. Women who have gestational diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later in life.

BONUS: Christine Crotts has written more on this topic, as well as related topics such as diabetic bracelets. Read more about gestational diabetes symptoms.

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