Gestational diabetes does not cause birth defects. Most women with gestational diabetes have healthy, full-term babies.

Gestational diabetes is a special kind of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy (gestation). Changes that occur in your body while youre pregnant cause your blood sugar (glucose) to be too high. This can cause problems for the baby and for you.

Eating the right foods is the main way to control your blood sugar. In fact, most women can keep their blood sugar within a normal range by diet alone.

About 3 to 5 percent of pregnant women who have never had elevated blood glucose levels develop gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. It usually occurs after 20 weeks.

A blood glucose screening tests for gestational diabetes. With this disease, changes in your body during pregnancy cause your blood sugar (glucose) to be too high. This is a serious condition that can be controlled with diet and, if needed, medication.