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Author:
Andrew Palmer

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, are said to have gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnancies, making it one of the top health concerns related to pregnancy.

What is the cause of gestational diabetes?
While no-one really knows the true cause, there are some contributing factors that might increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes. These factors include:
* Obesity in the woman
* A family history of diabetes
* Having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
* Older maternal age (over the age of 30).
* A previous delivery of a large (greater than 9 pounds) baby .

What are the risks of gestational diabetes?
High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you and your baby.
If a woman had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a greater change of developing diabetes, but there is also some other risks involved, such as macrosomia, or a "fat" baby. Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own, including damage to their shoulders during birth, or a higher risk for breathing problems.

Treating gestational diabetes
In most cases, gestational diabetes is managed by diet and exercise, and goes away after the baby is born. But because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, it is important to start treatment quickly. You should consult your doctor for special meal plans and scheduled physical activity.

There is no need to panic
While gestational diabetes is a cause for concern, the good news with the correct diet and exercise, you can keep your blood glucose levels under control, and give a healthy start for your baby.

About the Author
Andrew Palmer maintains the website diabetesweb, an informational website about all aspects of diabetes.

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Diabetes... Diabetes Information Diabetes is the leading cause of death in the United States. Some recent facts concerning diabetes, presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include: • In the United States, as of 2002, 18.0 million people of the ages 20 years or older have diabetes. • About 65% of deaths among people with diabetes are due to heart disease and stroke. • Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. • About 60%-70% of diabetics have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage, such as: slowed digestion of food in the stomach, carpal tunnel syndrome, impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands. • Gum disease is more common among people with diabetes. • Poorly controlled diabetes during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can result in excessively large babies. • Diabetics are more likely to die with pneumonia or influenza than people who do not have diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes are: weakness, hunger, thirst, weight loss, increased need to urinate, sudden changes in vision, very dry skin, and sores that are slow to heal. Diabetics also have sweet-smelling breath and could suffer from confusion. Insulin-dependent diabetes is the least common form of this disease. Insulin-diabetes is more commonly known as Type I diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes. Patients with Type I diabetes are unable to produce insulin. Diabetics with Type I diabetes are genetically predisposed to the disease. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes is known as Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to respond to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is predominant in minorities. About 90%-95% of diabetics have this form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetics are also usually obese. Gestational diabetes...