What Factors Will Increase Risk of Gestational Diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association says that you’re considered high risk for developing gestational diabetes and should be screened early if you meet any of the following:
If you’re considered obese – Your body mass index is 30+
If you have had gestational diabetes in a past pregnancy
If you have a strong family history of diabetes
Although some doctors will decide to screen you early if:
Sugar is found in your urine (urine is tested at each prenatal visit)
If you’ve given birth to a big baby (9 pounds or more)
If you’ve had an unexplained stillbirth
If you have had a baby with a birth defect
If your blood pressure is high
Many women who’ve developed gestational diabetes don’t have risk factors. It’s a matter of routine for an OB doctor to order screening at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. There are women who are considered low risk that may not need the screening test at all.
You fit into the “low risk” group if you fit the following criteria:
You’re younger than 25 years of age
You maintain a healthy weight
You are not a member of any ethnic group that has a high chance of developing diabetes: Hispanic, Native American, African, South or East Asian, Pacific Island and indigenous Australian ancestry.
None of your family has diabetes
You have never had a high result on a blood sugar test
You have not had an overly large baby or other pregnancy complications associated with gestational diabetes
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