Association between gestational diabetes and the classical diabetes

In some cases there is an association. There is evidence that some women who have the symptoms of gestational diabetes actually had mild unrecognized diabetes prior to conception and pregnancy simply helps to unmask the condition. Naturally, with these women, the condition does not completely clear up after delivery.

Long-term consequences of gestational diabetes

As mentioned above, some patients have latent diabetes and delivery may just take them back to the quiescent state with no symptoms and no need for treatment. These may constitute anything between 10 and 20% of all gestational diabetes patients. For these, the so-called adult-onset diabetes will develops in the medium or long-term.

Conversely, for over 80% of mothers with gestational diabetes, the condition clears up entirely shortly after delivery.

Risk of developing gestational diabetes

Some mothers are at higher risk of gestatinal diabetes than others. These include those who:

Have symptoms of increased water intake (feeling abnormally thirsty), urinary frequency and feeling hungry and peckish more often than normal
Are overweight or obese
Have close relatives with diabetes
Have a history of delivering large babies in the past
Gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy
Have a previous history of gestational diabetes
Are aged thirty or over.

Recurrence of gestational diabetes

There is a risk of recurrence of gestational diabetes of one in two; that is, up to 50% of affected mothers will experience a recurrence of the condition in a subsequent pregnancy.

Reducing the risk of getting gestational diabetes

A woman can reduce this risk by acting upon some factors, such as being overweight. Controlling or reducing body weight to a level around the ideal for her body height will significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.

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A previous history of a large baby (above left) and being overweight are recognised risk factors for gestational diabetes