Gestational diabetes is diabetes that only happens during pregnancy. Changes in your body during pregnancy can cause high blood sugar (glucose). This can cause problems for you and your baby. It is a serious condition. But it can be controlled.

You are at risk of getting gestational diabetes if any of the risk factors below apply to you. The risk for this condition gets higher as your number of risk factors increases:

• You are Hispanic, African American, American Indian, Asian, or Pacific Islander.
• You weigh more than your doctor says is healthy for you.
• You have a relative with diabetes.
• You are older than 25.
• You had gestational diabetes during a past pregnancy.
• You had a stillbirth or a very large baby before.
• You have a history of abnormal glucose tolerance.
• You have sugar in your urine at the first prenatal visit.
• You have metabolic syndrome, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), are using glucocorticoids, or have high blood pressure.
• You are pregnant with twins or more.

Here is what to expect during a blood glucose screening:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes. When you are screened depends on your risk. Testing happens at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Those who are at high risk may be tested when they first learn they are pregnant.
• A glucose screening test checks your blood sugar at the moment you're tested. You'll drink a liquid that contains glucose, and then 1 hour later your blood will be drawn to check your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar is high, you'll need to take a glucose tolerance test.
• The glucose tolerance test measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You'll fast (no eating or drinking other than water) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn. This will give you your fasting blood sugar level. Next, you will drink the glucose liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward to see how your body responds to the glucose. Results can differ depending on the size of the glucose drink and how often your blood sugar is tested. Ask your doctor what your test results mean.

Here are some things you need to know:

• Gestational diabetes can be managed with treatment. The best way to control it is to find out you have it early and start treatment quickly.
• This condition can cause problems for you during pregnancy. It can also cause problems with the baby during pregnancy, delivery, and after. Treatment greatly lowers the chance for problems.
• The changes in your body that cause gestational diabetes normally happen only when you are pregnant. After the baby is born, your body typically goes back to normal and the condition goes away. But you may be more likely to have type 2 diabetes later. Talk with your doctor about ways to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
• If you test positive for gestational diabetes, you should be screened for prediabetes or diabetes at 4 to 12 weeks postpartum.

Here is how to treat gestational diabetes:

• You'll need to check your blood sugar often. You can do this at home. Prick your finger and check a drop of blood on a glucose monitor. Your doctor will show you how and when to check your blood sugar. The doctor will talk about your target blood sugar level.
• To manage your blood sugar, you will be given a special plan. It will likely include meal planning and getting regular exercise. Some people need to take a hormone called insulin. Others may take medicine to help control their blood sugar.
• Many practices will offer group classes to teach you and others how to manage gestational diabetes. You will discuss diet, exercise, and testing for diabetes management. This can help you not feel alone during the process.