Have given birth to a large (greater than 9 pounds) baby before.
Have given birth to a baby that was stillborn or suffering from
certain birth defects. Have had gestational diabetes in previous
pregnancies. Have a family history of diabetes. Have pre-
pregnancy type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Come from certain ethnic
backgrounds, including African, Hispanic, Asian, Native
American, or Pacific Islander. Are older than 30 years. But half
of women who develop gestational diabetes have no risk factors.
If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause serious
complications for your newborn. For example, babies of untreated
mothers with gestational diabetes may grow too large (called
macrosomia), increasing the risk of problems during delivery,
such as injuries to the baby's shoulders and arms. Having a very
large baby may also increase your risk for requiring a cesarean
section or other assistance during delivery (such as a forceps
or vacuum delivery). Your baby may also experience a sudden drop
in blood sugar after bi