Gestational Diabetes
- Describes abnormal blood sugars arising during pregnancy. Women who had diabetes before pregnancy are not considered to have gestational diabetes
- Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes may have no symptoms but is usually treated aggressively to prevent complications to the mother and the baby. The complications associated with the mother are well documented:
- Gestational diabetes affects just under 1 in 10 pregnancies and usually (but not always) resolves after the delivery of the baby
- If you had gestational diabetes in the past, you are at an increased risk for developing Type II Diabetes later in life. It is important that you remind members of your healthcare team to screen you for Type 2 Diabetes at future appointments.
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Useful Resources
Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/home/ovc-20317173