Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop Gestational Diabetes with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing gestational diabetes. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:

Obesity or Being Overweight

Studies found that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 (classified as overweight) are at an increased risk of gestational diabetes. If your BMI is over 30, you may be at a great risk.

Gestational Diabetes in a Previous Pregnancy

If you had gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy, this puts you at risk for developing the condition again, depending on your weight during the first trimester.

Age

Gestational diabetes is more common in women who are older than 35.

Family History of Diabetes

If you have a first-degree relative (parents, siblings) with diabetes, your risk of gestational diabetes is increased.

Race

You may be at an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes if you are:

• Hispanic American
• African American
• Native American
• Asian American
• Indigenous Australian
• Pacific Islander

Previous Delivery of a Large Baby

Fetal Macrosomia is defined as having a baby with a birth weight greater than the 90th percentile for gestational age and sex. If you delivered a baby with fetal macrosomia, you are at increased risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Other Risk Factors

• Previous history of glucose intolerance
• Previous history of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Previous history of Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes
• Rapid weight gain during pregnancy
• Risk factors related to childbirth:
  • Previous stillbirth
  • Having a child with a birth defect
  • Too much amniotic fluid surrounding a baby during pregnancy