Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

Is this something you just have a hereditary chance of getting or does it have to do with your weight gain and how you eat throughout the pregnancy?

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

I am wondering the same thing....i think if you are overweight then it doesnt help....but I could be wrong and i hope people have answers....my test is Tuesday!!!....and I dont do well on diets!!

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

I am not really sure. I would think that maybe just eating a healthy balanced diet woult be the most you could do, but you can still get it regardless.

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

Risk factors:

To learn your risk for gestational diabetes, check each item that applies to you. Talk with your doctor about your risk at your first prenatal visit.

I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.

I am African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Islander.

I am 25 years old or older.

I am overweight.

I have had gestational diabetes before, or I have given birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds.

I have been told that I have "pre-diabetes," a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Other names for it are "impaired glucose tolerance" and "impaired fasting glucose."

If you checked any of these risk factors, ask your health care team about testing for gestational diabetes.

You are at high risk if you are very overweight, have had gestational diabetes before, have a strong family history of diabetes, or have glucose in your urine.

You are at average risk if you checked one or more of the risk factors.

You are at low risk if you did not check any of the risk factors.

Message edited 1/20/2007 12:37:12 PM.

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

I was not overweight. My mother never had it. But yet I had it.

It is just the way your body reacts to the hormones. There is nothing you can do to avoid it.

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

i am overweight and did NOT have it

Re: Is there a way to avoid gestational diabetes (may be a stupid question)

i also think if you have multiples it increases your chances. Something about the placenta interfering with the way your body processes insulin