Expectant mothers take every precaution to ensure the very best health for their babies, and themselves. They must be aware of particular medical conditions, like gestational diabetes, that can affect the health of both mother and child. Fortunately, diabetes during pregnancy can be successfully moderated and treated.

According to the American Association of Diabetes, there are two forms of diabetes: Type I and Type II. Children and adolescents are most commonly associated with Type I diabetes. Type II is prevalent in overweight adults. For some diabetics, the disease is in directly relation to certain genetic traits.

There is one more type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. Is it possible for an otherwise healthy woman to develop diabetes during pregnancy? Are women with diabetes required to take extra care during pregnancy? Where is the direct link between diabetes and pregnancy?

Your healthcare provider can answer all of these important questions. There are particular considerations for a woman with diabetes to take into account before becoming pregnant. When a diabetic woman carries a child, she needs to appreciate the risks associated with having the disease. The pregnancy must be treated with a great deal of discipline.

The Third Type of Diabetes?

Even a woman who has never had diabetes is prone to developing the disease during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is considered by some to be the "third type of diabetes", developed during the late stages of pregnancy. This form of diabetes will disappear after the baby is born, but mother will face a higher probability of acquiring Type II diabetes later in life.

Indeed, there is a direct link between diabetes and pregnancy, and expectant mothers must be very careful about this condition. Gestational diabetes causes the body to resist the assimilation of insulation, making this condition similar to Type II diabetes. Symptoms, however, are a bit different than those presented by typical Type II diabetics.

Women who develop gestational diabetes may notice unusually high weight gain. This excess weight is caused by high levels of glucose in the blood and, as a result, an increase in fetal urination. It's important for expectant mothers to be tested during the 24th to 28th weeks of gestation to ensure that they have not acquired gestational diabetes.

Only 2 percent to 3 percent of women acquire gestational diabetes, making the conditional relatively rare. Still, there are certain factors that can increase the risk:

* Age (older women face an increased risk)

* Weight (overweight women are more likely to develop the condition)

* Genetic history of Type II diabetes

* Racial/Ethnic background

* Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

* Previous birth of a child weighing nine pounds or more

If you feel that you have one or more of these potential risk factors, speak with your doctor about the possibility of developing gestational diabetes.

Studies suggest that as many as 40 percent of women suffering gestational diabetes went on to develop Type II diabetes 5 to 10 years after pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions carefully to avoid contracting Type II diabetes later in life. While many Type II diabetics lead normal lives, it's best to avoid it.

Gestational diabetes is a condition that poses certain risks to expectant mothers, but it can be controlled. Speak with your obstetrician or healthcare provider to learn more about the causes, preventions and treatments to ensure the best health for you, and your baby.