Who gets gestational diabetes, and why do I have to be tested?
Approximately 2-5% of all expecting mothers will develop gestational diabetes; this number may increase to 7-9% in populations where mothers are more likely to have risk factors. The screening for this disease usually will take place some time between your 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Doctors test for gestational diabetes during this time because the placenta is producing large amounts of hormones that may cause insulin resistance. If the result comes back with elevated levels, further testing would be done to confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
