Gestational diabetes

Most pregnant women need two to three times more insulin than they do when not pregnant because of hormonal changes normal in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes occurs when a woman's body cannot make the amount of insulin needed during pregnancy. In gestational diabetes, usually no symptoms exist. International Diabetes Center recommends all pregnant women be tested for gestational diabetes during the second trimester — especially important for women who are already at risk.

Read more about risk factors for gestational diabetes.

After pregnancy

After the baby is born, blood glucose levels usually return to normal. A woman who has had gestational diabetes is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life:

• Women with gestational diabetes have increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the following 10 to 20 years if the mother is overweight after her pregnancy.
• Risk of developing type 2 diabetes is reduced if the mother maintains a reasonable weight after pregnancy.

Sometimes, gestational diabetes may "unmask" undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. In this case, diabetes will not go away after the pregnancy, and blood glucose will become high if diabetes is untreated.

Learn more about treating gestational diabetes.

To make an appointment with International Diabetes Center, call 952-993-3393 or toll-free at 888-825-6315.