Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy while the body produces insulin-blocking hormones. Although there are no guaranteed methods of preventing gestational diabetes, a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of it developing during pregnancies. Eating healthy foods, staying physically active, and monitoring weight gain during pregnancy can lower the risk of developing this type of diabetes. In most cases, pregnancy diabetes goes away once the baby is born. 

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes: For most women, the symptoms of gestational diabetes are not noticeable. The most common symptoms are frequent urination and increased thirst. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

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Gestational Diabetes: The Third Type of Diabetes
gestational diabetes
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Diabetes during pregnancy can increase the risk of women developing certain complications during and after their pregnancy:

  • Preeclampsia
  • High blood pressure
  • Requiring a c-section delivery

Gestational diabetes may have more serious issues in babies during their birth, and in their future.

A healthy lifestyle growing up can help prevent a baby from developing type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Some effects that gestational diabetes can have on a baby include:

  • Early (preterm) birth
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Breathing issues
  • Excessive birth weight
  • Birth defects
  • Increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. 

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