Do I Have Gestational Diabetes?

Do you feel increased thirst?

Do you feel increased hunger and eat more than usual?

Do you need to urinate more often than usual?

Do you have a dry mouth?

Do you feel extreme tiredness?

Have you been overweight before you got pregnant?

Are you an African-American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American woman?

Have you had high blood sugar levels before pregnancy, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes (this is called prediabetes)?

Do you have a family member with diabetes?

Do you have high blood pressure or other medical complications during pregnancy?

If you are a woman who has already given birth, have you ever had a premature birth or have you given birth to a large baby (weighing more than 4 kg or 9 pounds)?

Are you older than 25?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a medical condition that refers to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. In other words, if you were diagnosed with diabetes for the first time during pregnancy, it means that you have gestational diabetes. About 10 percent of pregnant women in the United States are diagnosed with this condition each year. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes can be well controlled by a healthy diet, exercise and medication.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first diagnosed during pregnancy in women who have not had diabetes before. Gestational diabetes can happen at any time during pregnancy, but it usually shows up in the second or third trimester. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. In pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that support your baby’s growth and development. Sometimes, these hormones may prevent the mother's body from using the insulin it produces. Doctors usually test pregnant women for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after the baby is born. Gestational diabetes is a serious pregnancy complication that must be managed carefully. The main goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Your doctor may recommend changing your diet and exercise routine. Losing weight during pregnancy is not recommended, because your body needs to stay strong to support the growth of your baby. In some cases, women need medications or insulin injections to lower blood sugar levels.