WHY ME?

Aug 17

Written By Malama Health

The question we all have.

"When I was first diagnosed, I was shocked. I thought I had a healthy diet and wasn’t aware of the risk factors. Then, my doctor told me that even vegan marathoners were getting diagnosed with GD and that it was becoming more common. That made me feel better, knowing this was not caused by something I ate, that it was not my fault." - Mama of 2, diagnosed with GD at 24 weeks

The Facts:

Any pregnant person can develop gestational diabetes, and it is becoming more common in the US.

A few things can make it more likely you develop gestational diabetes.

But before we tell you more, remember that you didn’t do anything wrong! And we’re here to help going forward so that your gestational diabetes is under control.

The following can increase risk of gestational diabetes:

• DIABETES IN YOUR FAMILY: If you have a family history of diabetes, you might be more at risk.
• YOU HAD GD BEFORE: If you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, you might be more at risk.
• YOU HAD A BABY THAT WEIGHED MORE THAN 9 POUNDS: You might be more at risk.
• HAVING POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: A disease with symptoms including irregular or no menstrual cycles and small cysts on your ovaries.
• HAVING A BMI ABOVE 25: (BMI = body mass index), you might be more at risk.
• HAVE PRESENCE OF SUGAR IN URINE: Presence of glucosuria might indicate you are more at risk.

Women with one or more of these risks are more likely to have gestational diabetes. Pregnant women with risks may be tested for gestational diabetes at their first prenatal.

Source: Sweet Success, California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program, CDAPP, 2014.