Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet. Gestational diabetes, however, has a number of characteristics that are different from other forms of diabetes.

The symptoms of gestational diabetes

Some pregnant women with gestational diabetes have the symptoms of diabetes that are associated with high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). These include:

* Increased thirst
* More frequent urination
* Weight loss despite increased appetite
* Fatigue
* Nausea or vomiting
* Yeast infections
* Blurred vision

However, some women have no recognizable symptoms. This is why screening tests for this disease are recommended for almost all pregnant women.

Risk for gestational diabetes

About 1-3% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. Women at risk for gestational diabetes include those who:

* are overweight
* have a family history of diabetes
* have previously given birth to a very large, heavy baby
* have previously had a baby who was stillborn, or born with a birth defect
* have an excess amount of amniotic fluid (the cushioning fluid within the uterus that surrounds the developing fetus)
* are over 25 years of age
* belong to an ethnic group known to experience higher rates of gestational diabetes (in the United States, these groups include Mexican-Americans, American Indians, African-Americans, as well as individuals from Asia, India, or the Pacific Islands)
* have a previous history of gestational diabetes during a pregnancy