  Gestational diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia that develops or is discovered during pregnancy and usually disappears when the pregnancy is over. Women who have gestational diabetes have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in their lives.
Risk factors for developing gestational diabetes include:
- Previous gestational diabetes
- History of large infants (>= 9 lb)
- Family history of diabetes
- Symptoms of diabetes and glucose in urine
- Obesity or excessive weight gain
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- History of spontaneous abortions
- Previous unexplained stillbirth
A glucose tolerance test is used for diagnosis, and is performed at 24-28 weeks of gestation.
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