New statistics show gestational diabetes has serious health implications for both a mother and her baby.
The study, which was published in the Diabetologia journal, analysed data from more than 700,000 births in France occurring after 28 weeks of pregnancy in 2012.
The study was the first of its kind to analyse both maternal and neonatal data to examine gestational diabetes.
Compared to other pregnant women, those with gestational diabetes were 30 percent more likely to experience pre-term birth, 40 percent more likely to require a C-section, and 70 percent more likely to have pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.
Babies of women with gestational diabetes were more likely to suffer a complicated birth, more likely to be larger than average at birth, and 30 percent were more likely to have heart defects.
While weight isn't always a factor, obesity has been linked to gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes generally doesn't have any symptoms, so it's important to get tested for the condition.
Monitoring cases of gestational diabetes is crucial to limit risks passed on to the infant.
If you are worried about gestational diabetes, seek medical advice from your GP.
