Gestational diabetes is a complex disease without a clear pattern of inheritance. However, many affected individuals have at least one close family member, such as a parent or sibling, with this disease or another form of diabetes (most commonly type 2 diabetes).

What triggers gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, your placenta makes hormones that cause glucose to build up in your blood. Usually, your pancreas can send out enough insulin to handle it. But if your body can't make enough insulin or stops using insulin as it should, your blood sugar levels rise, and you get gestational diabetes.

Who is most at risk for gestational diabetes?

You may be more likely than other women to develop gestational diabetes if:

• You're older than 25.
• You're overweight or obese and not physically active.
• You had gestational diabetes or a baby with macrosomia in a past pregnancy.
• You have high blood pressure or you've had heart disease.

Is gestational diabetes mellitus genetic?

GDM is considered to result from interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. Genetic predisposition to GDM has been suggested since GDM clusters in families. Also, women with mutations in MODY (Maturity onset diabetes of the young) genes often present with GDM.

Is gestational diabetes the mother fault?

IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!

This is due to the hormones released from the placenta. Those who are not diabetic are able to increase insulin production sufficiently enough. Those who cannot increase insulin production enough, or cannot use the insulin that is there effectively enough, are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes - Overview, signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment

34 related questions found

Can my baby get diabetes if I have gestational diabetes?

Babies of mothers who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Stillbirth. Untreated gestational diabetes can result in a baby's death either before or shortly after birth.

Does having gestational diabetes make you high risk?

Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), may need high-risk pregnancy care due to complications that can arise during pregnancy and childbirth. Women with GDM have an increased risk of preeclampsia, a condition that leads to pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.

Does gestational diabetes run in families?

Gestational diabetes is a complex disease without a clear pattern of inheritance. However, many affected individuals have at least one close family member, such as a parent or sibling, with this disease or another form of diabetes (most commonly type 2 diabetes).

Does a family history of diabetes increase risk for gestational diabetes?

Women with any parental history of diabetes, compared with women with nondiabetic parents, experienced a 2.3-fold increased risk of GDM. Additionally, women with a diabetic sibling had an 8.4-fold higher risk of GDM than women with no diabetic siblings.

Is gestational diabetes permanent?

Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes usually goes away on its own and soon after delivery blood sugar levels return to normal, says Dr. Tania Esakoff, clinical director of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. "There is no need for gestational diabetes to take away from the joys of pregnancy."

What birth defects are caused by gestational diabetes?

Babies of diabetic mothers may have major birth defects in the heart and blood vessels, brain and spine, urinary system and kidneys, and digestive system. Macrosomia. This is the term for a baby that is much larger than normal. All of the nutrients the baby gets come directly from the mother's blood.

Does gestational diabetes go away after birth?

For most women with gestational diabetes, the diabetes goes away soon after delivery. When it does not go away, the diabetes is called type 2 diabetes. Even if the diabetes does go away after the baby is born, half of all women who had gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later.

Can eating too much sugar cause gestational diabetes?

A: Eating sugary foods will not increase your risk for gestational diabetes. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes it will be important to manage your carbohydrate intake to best manage your blood sugar levels. This would include managing your intake of sugary foods.

What happens if you test positive for gestational diabetes?

In fact, only about a third of women who test positive on the glucose screening test actually have the condition. If you test positive, you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) – a longer, more definitive test that tells you for sure whether you have gestational diabetes.

Can stress cause gestational diabetes during pregnancy?

Stress can increase your blood glucose levels. Stress can also cause you to turn to unhealthful behaviors such as overeating, eating unhealthful foods or smoking. Managing your stress and relaxing more will help you and your baby stay as healthy as possible.

At what week does gestational diabetes develop?

Gestational diabetes usually develops around the 24^th week of pregnancy, so you'll probably be tested between 24 and 28 weeks. If you're at higher risk for gestational diabetes, your doctor may test you earlier.

Can hereditary diabetes be prevented?

If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, it may be difficult to figure out whether your diabetes is due to lifestyle factors or genetics. Most likely it is due to both. However, don't lose heart! Studies show that it is possible to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by exercising and losing weight.

Will my child be obese if I have gestational diabetes?

When gestational diabetes is not well managed, a baby's blood sugar can also be high. The baby becomes “overfed” and potentially predisposed to becoming obese. Infants born to mothers with untreated or uncontrolled gestational diabetes have nearly double the normal risk of becoming obese during childhood.

What is the Z code for a family history of diabetes?

Z83. 3 - Family history of diabetes mellitus. ICD-10-CM.

Do you get more ultrasounds with gestational diabetes?

In Canada, it's recommended that all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes be referred to a diabetes specialist or endocrinologist, in addition to their primary prenatal-care physician. You'll have to schedule extra appointments, including additional tests and ultrasounds, which can be more time-consuming.

Are gestational diabetes babies born early?

Most pregnant women have a glucose screening for gestational diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks. A big worry about gestational diabetes is what it can do to a baby. Babies born to mothers who have gestational diabetes are more likely to: be born early (prematurely)

Can you have gestational diabetes at 20 weeks?

This often begins about 20 to 24 weeks into your pregnancy and could lead to gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, more fat is stored in your body, you take in more calories, and you may get less exercise.

What happens to babies born to diabetic mothers?

Babies born to mothers with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing low blood sugar or hypoglycemia shortly after birth and during the first few days of life, since they are already producing an excess of insulin.

Does drinking water help gestational diabetes?

As water contains no carbohydrate or calories, it is the perfect drink for pregnant women. Studies have also shown that drinking water could help control glucose levels. Drink a large glass of water with every meal and another glass in between meals. "Water was key to keeping my glucose levels stable.

Can I refuse treatment for gestational diabetes?

Pregnancy is not an exception to the principle that a decisionally capable patient has the right to refuse treatment, even treatment needed to maintain life. Therefore, a decisionally capable pregnant woman's decision to refuse recommended medical or surgical interventions should be respected.