| Testing, including fetal ultrasound and nonstress tests, which will be discussed in the next chapter, should be performed periodically to assess the fetus"s well being.
Risk factors for gestational diabetes include an age greater than 25 years, obesity, a family history of diabetes mellitus, and a history of polyhydramnios in pregnancy, recurrent abortions or stillbirths, prior macrosomia in a fetus, maternal hypertension, use of corticosteroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and an African or Pacific Islander heritage. Complications include babies who are abnormally large (otherwise known as macrocosmic) or present delayed pulmonary maturity or placental insufficiency, which may result in intrauterine growth restriction or fetal demise.
A caesarean section may be necessary in cases of exceptionally large, or macrosomic, infants. |