Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. In fact, the word gestational means “during pregnancy.” Gestational diabetes affects about 5% of all pregnant women - about 200,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year. It is one of the most common health problems for pregnant women. If not treated, gestational diabetes can cause health problems for mother and fetus.

Women are screened for gestational diabetes between their 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.  If gestational diabetes is found and not addressed, the baby is likely to be larger than normal, be born with low glucose levels, and be born prematurely.  Gestational diabetes also raises the risk of eventually developing Type 2 diabetes, for both the mother and the baby.