Gestational diabetes affects many pregnant women. It can be a silent condition, with no obvious symptoms, but it can have serious consequences. Gestational diabetes has been linked with numerous problems for the child and the mother, during pregnancy and after the baby has been born. There is no sure way to prevent, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. And treatment can keep your blood sugar under control and help you have a safe delivery.

1. Know your risk. Understanding the potential causes and risk factors involved in gestational diabetes can greatly help you to understand the condition and your risk of developing it. Women at high risk of gestational diabetes benefit from earlier screening for the condition.

There is no single cause for gestational diabetes. Scientists believe that an important factor is the hormones produced by the placenta. These natural chemical messengers interfere with another hormone called insulin. An abdominal organ called the pancreas makes insulin to help regulate glucose (blood sugar), the body's main fuel.

Factors that contribute to this insulin resistance include being obese, overweight or physically inactive. Many racial and ethnic groups are also at greater risk for gestational diabetes, including Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, South and East Asians, Pacific Islanders and indigenous Australians. Other factors that increase the chance of developing the condition include:

• Being 25 or older
  
• Having a family history of diabetes
  
• Having polycystic ovarian syndrome
  
• Having prediabetes
  
• Having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
  
• Previously giving birth to a stillborn baby or baby over 9 pounds
  
• Having too much amniotic fluid