You're stuck wearing maternity clothes. You miss having a glass of wine with dinner. You can't see your feet when you stand up. And now you find out that your pregnancy is causing diabetes? That's the frustrating news for an estimated three to seven percent of expectant mothers who learn they have developed gestational diabetes. On this page, you will find links to articles where you will find out everything you need to know about gestational diabetes, but, first, let's learn a little bit more about the condition.

Gestational diabetes affects between three to seven percent of expectant mothers.
©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Gestational diabetes affects between
three to seven percent of
expectant mothers.

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. It occurs in about 3 percent of all pregnancies. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using a three-hour glucose tolerance test. If any two of the glucose readings during the test exceed the upper limits of normal, the diagnosis is made. Rarely are the glucose levels high enough to harm the mother. The problem is the mother's blood glucose flows into the fetus's blood. The fetus then releases insulin from its pancreas to lower its glucose levels. This forces glucose into the fetus's tissues, causing it to become large for its gestational age and resulting in a difficult labor and delivery.

Throughout the pregnancy, the mother's insulin resistance and glucose levels increase, right up to delivery. With delivery of the baby and placenta, however, the mother's glucose levels promptly return to normal in 97 percent of cases. Many women with gestational diabetes can control their glucose levels during pregnancy through diet and exercise. Some, however, require insulin shots to keep glucose levels within a healthy range for the baby.

Typically, gestational diabetes is very manageable, and -- with the proper treatment -- will not harm the mother or the child. However, it is important to be aware of the condition by familiarizing yourself with the following aspects:

Causes of Gestational Diabetes
While the most obvious cause of gestational diabetes is pregnancy, there are some additional risk factors that will make you more susceptible like age, weight, ethnicity, and your family history. In this article, you will learn all about the risk factors for gestational diabetes.

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes can lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms and complications. In this article, you will learn about some of the warning signs and potential problems.

Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
If you or your physician suspects that you have gestational diabetes there are some routine tests that are prescribed to confirm the diagnosis. This article will tell you what those test are and what you should expect.

Pregestational Diabetes
If you already have diabetes and are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, there are some additional risk factors you should know about, as well as some extra precautions you should take.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment
The treatment for gestational diabetes is very similar to the treatment for normal diabetes or any health problem -- eat right, exercise, and consult your doctor -- with some additional concerns thrown in because of the pregnancy. In this article, you will find out how to safely treat your gestational diabetes.

For more information on diabetes in general, try the following links:
  • To learn more about diabetes in general, including diagnosis, causes, symptoms, and treatment, visit our main Diabetes page.
  • Our main Type 1 Diabetes page will tell you more about this form of diabetes, commonly called, "juvenile diabetes."
  • To find out more about type 2 diabetes, which has reached the level of national health epidemic, go to our main Type 2 Diabetes page.
  • Our main Pregnancy page contains numerous articles, covering all aspects of pregnancy from the first month through the delivery.
  • To find out how to determine you pregnancy due date using a simple mathematical formula, read How to Calculate Your Pregnancy Due Date.
  • Exercise while you're pregnant may seem both difficult and dangerous. How to Exercise During Pregnancy will help you develop a fitness routine that is right for you.
  • It's hard to know what to eat during pregnancy. What foods are best for you, and what foods are right for your baby. Learn the answer to all of pregnancy diet questions in Pregnancy Nutrition Guidelines.

Suggestions for a Diabetic Diet
One of the most important aspects of treating and controlling diabetes is monitoring the food you take into your body. However, there may be more wiggle room than you think. To learn more about proper nutrition and diabetes, try the following links:
  • Our main Diabetic Diet page will show you which food groups are diabetes-friendly and which ones you should avoid.  
  • Visit our Diabetic Recipes page to find simple, delicious meals you can make that won't send our blood sugar into a tailspin.  

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.