Gestational diabetes
develops in approximately four percent of all pregnant women. This is a
temporary condition that only occurs during pregnancy but does increase the
chances of baby or mother developing Type 1 or 2 diabetes later on. The doctor
will test for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of the pregnancy and
will begin treatment immediately if it has developed.
The cause
of gestational diabetes seems to be due to hormonal changes in the second and
third trimesters of pregnancy, as well as the growth demands of the fetus, which
increases the mother's insulin needs two to three fold.