Diabetes occurs when there is a higher level of glucose in the
blood than is normal. Glucose comes from the breakdown of the
food you eat. It travels through your body in the blood. A
hormone called insulin then helps glucose move from your blood
to your cells. Once glucose is in your cells, it can be used for
energy. A problem making or using insulin means glucose cannot
move into your cells. Instead, the glucose builds up in your
blood. The build-up is called hyperglycemia. Gestational
diabetes is a type of diabetes that first occurs during
pregnancy. The extra glucose can affect the mother and the baby.
Factors that may increase the risk of gestational diabetes
include: - Obesity or being overweight—This can affect the
body's ability to use insulin. - Gestational diabetes in a
previous pregnancy - Multiple pregnancy (carrying two or more
babies) - Family history of diabetes - Previous delivery of a
large baby - Age: 25 or older - Race: Hispanic, African-
American, Native-American, Asian-American, Indigenous