Gestational Diabetes

What causes it

The causes of gestational diabetes have not been determined, but the many hormonal changes during pregnancy contribute to what is called insulin resistance – which is your body not using the insulin that your pancreas produces.

Here are the risk factors that contribute to insulin resistance and the development of gestational diabetes:

• Family history of diabetes
• Member of a high-risk ethnic group, such as:
  • African American
  • Asian American or Pacific Islander
  • Hispanic American
  • Native American
• Older than age 25
• Overweight or obese
• Personal birth weight greater than 9 pounds
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Previous delivery of baby greater than 9 pounds or a delivery with complications