Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy in women who don’t have diabetes. It usually develops in the third trimester (between 24 and 28 weeks) and typically disappears after the baby is born.

The risk factors that increase the chances are:

  • Family history of gestational diabetes
  • Overweight or obese
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Have had a large baby weighing over 4kg
  • Causes of gestational diabetes may also be related to ethnicity. Some ethnic groups have a higher risk of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes typically doesn’t have any symptoms. Your medical history and whether you have any risk factors may suggest to your doctor that you could have gestational diabetes, but you’ll need to be tested to know for sure.

Gestational diabetes is much like prediabetes when it comes to treatment, if healthy eating and being active aren’t enough to manage your blood glucose, your doctor may prescribe oral medication or insulin.

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