Each year, approximately 8% of pregnant women in the United States are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes affects women during pregnancy and can lead to serious health problems for both mother and baby.
Cases of gestational diabetes have been increasing recently, though researchers aren’t entirely sure why. Because of the potential health effects of the condition, women undergo testing for gestational diabetes during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Wondering whether you’re at risk? Dr. Carolina Solis-Herrera, an endocrinologist at University Health, shares some details about the condition below.
Defining Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes — or high blood sugar — that develops around the 24th week of pregnancy. It occurs when the body is unable to produce the extra insulin needed to keep blood glucose (blood sugar) in a healthy range during pregnancy.
While experts aren’t quite sure why gestational diabetes develops, it’s thought to be at least partly associated with hormonal fluctuation during pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
Any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, but some women are at a higher risk. Risk factors include:
- Being an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- Being overweight or having obesity
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Having given birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more
- Having had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
- (PCOS)
- Not being physically active
You’re also at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes if you were diagnosed with the condition during a previous pregnancy.
The Health Effects of Gestational Diabetes
Knowing you have gestational diabetes can be challenging because the condition often causes few or no noticeable symptoms. You might experience increased urination or increased thirst, but you might not.
That’s why it’s important to have regular prenatal checkups and undergo recommended gestational diabetes screening.
If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it’s important to work with your provider to find ways to bring your blood sugar into a healthy range. High blood sugar can have dangerous health effects, including heart health problems.
“One of them is high blood pressure, which can hurt your heart and cause an emergency called preeclampsia,” Dr. Solis-Herrera said. “Eventually, one out of two women develop Type 2 diabetes in five to 10 years.”
Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of complications with your pregnancy and with your child’s health, including high birth weight, premature birth, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and breathing problems after birth.
The health effects don’t end at birth, either. Children whose mothers had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of health problems later in life, including obesity and associated health conditions.
“There’s a risk of these babies developing Type 2 diabetes when they’re adolescents or adults,” Dr. Solis-Herrera said.
Managing Gestational Diabetes
If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, talk with your provider about what you can do to lower your blood sugar and protect your health. Managing gestational diabetes is much like managing Type 2 diabetes.
Your provider may ask you to check your blood sugar regularly with a glucometer, and if it is very high, you may need to take medication to lower it. You can also take steps to lower your blood sugar by practicing healthy lifestyle habits:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Eat a diet filled with fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
- Limit processed foods, which often contain high amounts of added sugar.
- Move your body when you can, as much as you can.
“You need to be a healthy weight and exercise regularly,” Dr. Solis-Herrera said.
Pregnancy Care at University Health
Have questions about gestational diabetes or other aspects of pregnancy? We’re here to help. At University Health, a team of providers offers comprehensive pregnancy and childbirth services to support both mom and baby.
These services have been recognized for excellence, most recently earning the 2026 designation as a High-Performing Maternity Care Hospital by U.S. News & World Report.
