Gestational diabetes affects 4 percent of pregnancies. Women often don’t experience gestational diabetes symptoms, but the condition can be detected through simple screening measures. Once discovered, gestational diabetes is very treatable. Knowing your risk for gestational diabetes can help you make better decisions about diet and exercise before and during your pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes: Six Risk Factors
The American Diabetes Association has identified the six most prevalent risk factors for gestational diabetes. These risk factors are what the doctor will use to decide when and if you need to be screened for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy.
- Age. Risk for gestational diabetes increases with age. Women younger than 25 years when they become pregnant are considered to have little or no risk. More than 60 percent of pregnancies occur in women over 25, so the majority of pregnant women have at least this one risk factor.
- Weight. Mothers who were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy are at increased risk for developing insulin resistance and high blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes.
- Race/ethnicity. Racial disparities have been observed, but are not fully understood. Non-Hispanic white women have the lowest risk for gestational diabetes. At increased risk are African-American women, American Indian women, Asian-American women (particularly those with South and Central Asian ancestry), Hispanic women, and Pacific Islander women.
- Past pregnancy outcomes. If you had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, or if you’ve given birth to a baby heavier than nine pounds, you are at risk for developing gestational diabetes in your current pregnancy.
- Past blood sugar issues. If your blood sugar levels prior to pregnancy were higher than normal, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis, your gestational diabetes risk increases.
- Diabetes in the family. A first-degree relative with diabetes increases your risk for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. First-degree relatives include parents, siblings, and children.
Gestational Diabetes Risk: What Do Risk Levels Mean?
The more risk factors you have, the greater your change of having gestational diabetes. These categories can tell your doctor how soon you need to be tested for gestational diabetes.
- High risk. Having two or more risk factors means you should be screened for gestational diabetes as soon as your pregnancy is discovered. If you have had gestational diabetes in the past, even if that is your only risk factor, your doctor will consider you a high-risk patient.
- Average risk. One risk factor puts you at average risk. You typically will be tested toward the end of your second trimester.
- Low risk. Only women who meet none of the above criteria are considered low-risk and can skip the screening process.
Gestational Diabetes: What You Can Do to Minimize Your Risk
If you are pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, discuss your options with your doctor. Some risk factors like age and family medical history cannot be changed, but there are two key steps you can take to limit your risk for gestational diabetes, even if you are at high risk.
- Eat a healthy diet. A study found that women whose diets were lower in fiber and higher in sugar and carbohydrates prior to pregnancy had a significantly greater risk of developing gestational diabetes. While more research is needed, the implication is that women may be able to control this risk by eating more fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Be physically active. For many women, exercise and physical activity take a back seat during pregnancy, but there is a lot of evidence to suggest that even mild to moderate activity can help minimize the risk of gestational diabetes.
If you are pregnant or are hoping to be soon, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and talk to your doctor about your risk factors for gestational diabetes. Then he’ll be able to tell you your risk of developing the condition and how to proceed from there.