Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is defined as diabetes developing or discovered during pregnancy. Associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality, an increased rate of cesarean delivery, and chronic hypertension in mother, gestational diabetes is usually asymptomatic and is diagnosed through routine screening during pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes carry a high risk for type 2 diabetes nearly 50% develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years after diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women. There are about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.

Did You Know?

Having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes increases your risk for GD.

Being African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Islander increases your risk for GD.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for GD.

Being 25 years old or older increases your risk for GD.

Having given birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds increase your risk for GD.