What's happening in your body: 

• Pregnancy hormones make it harder for your body to use insulin effectively 
• Your pancreas can't produce enough extra insulin to compensate 
• Blood sugar levels rise higher than normal 
• This affects both you and your baby 

Why Did This Happen to Me? 

Risk factors include: 

• Family history of diabetes 
• Previous GDM pregnancy 
• Being overweight before pregnancy 
• Age over 25 
• Certain ethnic backgrounds (Asian, Hispanic, African American, Pacific Islander) 
• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) 

But many women with no risk factors develop GDM. It's about pregnancy hormones, not something you did wrong. 

What This Means for Your Baby 

Risks if unmanaged: 

• Baby grows too large (macrosomia) - delivery complications 
• Low blood sugar at birth 
• Breathing difficulties after birth 
• Higher risk of obesity/diabetes later in life 
• Increased risk of stillbirth (rare but serious) 

Good news: Proper management dramatically reduces these risks. 

What This Means for You 

During pregnancy: 

• More frequent prenatal appointments 
• Blood sugar monitoring several times daily 
• Possible need for insulin or medication 
• Dietary changes 
• More ultrasounds to monitor baby's growth 

After delivery: 

• Usually resolves immediately 
• Testing 6-12 weeks postpartum to confirm 
• Higher risk (50%) of developing Type 2 diabetes later 
• Prevention strategies can reduce this risk 

Your Healthcare Team 

You'll now work with: 

• Obstetrician - overall pregnancy care 
• Endocrinologist/Diabetes specialist - blood sugar management 
• Dietitian - meal planning and nutrition 
• Diabetes educator - monitoring techniques and education 
• High-risk pregnancy specialist (if needed) 

You're not alone in this.