In gestational diabetes , insulin production is not high enough to counter the insulin resistance caused by the placenta’s secreted hormones, causing blood glucose to rise. Women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop preeclampsia and experi - ence an increased likelihood for pre-term birth. The baby is more likely to have exces - sive birth weight and low blood sugar. 55 Any woman can have gestational diabetes, but those at higher risk include women who are overweight or have obesity, are more than 25 years old, or have a family history of type 2 diabetes. 56 Differences in diabetes outcomes for women versus men include : 57 • Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease for women by 4 times • versus 2 times in men. Women with diabetes have worse outcomes after a heart attack. • Wasobmlienndnaeressa, tkhidignheeyrdriissekaosef oatnhderdedpiarbeessteiosn-r.elated complications such • • Yeast and urinary tract infections are more common. Blood sugar can be more difficult to control before a woman’s period and menstrual cycle changes can happen. For more information about diabetes including prevention, management and treatment, see the Resources section on page 37.
55 https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/gestational/definition-facts 56 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/risk-factors.html 57 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-women.html
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