Could You Be at Risk for Gestational Diabetes?

You want what every expectant mother wants — a smooth pregnancy — so you feel it’s important to understand your risks for pregnancy complications. At the top of this list is gestational diabetes, which affects between 5 and 9% of pregnancies in the United States.

Since November is National Diabetes Month, the team of board-certified women’s health specialists at North Atlanta OB/GYN, including obstetric specialists, tackles this important subject in this month’s blog post.

We take a closer look at gestational diabetes (GDM) and whether this is a potential area of concern for you and your unborn child. 

Gestational diabetes at a glance

To start, we review what you're dealing with: As the name gestational diabetes suggests, this is a type of diabetes that develops in pregnant women who have no prior history of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes typically develops around the 24-week mark and is usually only found during testing, as there are typically no outward signs of a problem.

While there may be no symptoms in the early stages of gestational diabetes, we’re concerned about this common pregnancy complication for several reasons, including:

• Gestational diabetes can affect both the mother and the baby’s health 
• Half of pregnant women with GDM go on to develop full-blown diabetes

Gestational diabetes also increases the chances for other pregnancy complications, including:

• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure)
• Labor and delivery complications, including an increased risk for Cesarean section
• Premature birth
• Large birth weight

Just as gestational diabetes sets the stage for pregnant women to develop diabetes later in life, it also increases the child’s risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes during their life.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

The reality is that gestational diabetes can affect anyone, but some factors are associated with a higher risk, such as:

• Having obesity
• Having a previous experience with GDM
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Advanced maternal age
• Having polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome 

Lifestyle conditions can also increase your risk, such as poor nutrition before and during pregnancy.

Can gestational diabetes be prevented?

While not all cases of gestational diabetes can be prevented, some can if you endeavor to stay one step ahead of the problem through:

• Improved nutrition
• Exercise
• Losing weight
• Frequent testing

Each is key to keeping glucose levels in check so you don’t get into diabetes territory. 

Even better is tackling some of these risk factors before you get pregnant — entering a pregnancy in great health is your biggest line of defense against pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes.

Even if you’re already pregnant, these same recommendations apply and can help significantly in lowering your chances of developing gestational diabetes later in your pregnancy.

For a clearer picture of your gestational diabetes risk or if you have further questions, contact us by phone or online today at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Marietta, Georgia offices.