Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes happens only during pregnancy and can cause health problems for the baby and the mother if not controlled. Gestational diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are too high during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Usually there are no symptoms.
Testing
If you are high risk, you may be tested at your first prenatal visit. Routine testing for diabetes will be ordered at 24-28 weeks. If you do not pass the screening test, you will take a second longer test.
Treatment
Most women with pregnancy related diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by following a healthy meal plan from their doctor. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will be referred for diabetes education at the CHH Perinatal & Hypertension Center. Some women also need medications to keep blood sugar levels under control.
Women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of:
- Preeclampsia
- Early delivery
- Cesarean birth
- Having a big baby, which can complicate delivery
- Baby born with low blood sugar, breathing problems and jaundice
Who is at risk?
- Women over the age of 35
- Women who are obese or overweight
- Women who have previously had gestational diabetes
- Women who have had a very large baby
- Women with a family history of diabetes
- Women who have had an unexplained stillbirth before
- Women who are African American, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic, Latina or Pacific Islander
Women with gestational diabetes should be tested for diabetes 6-12 weeks after giving birth and then every 3 years. The child should frequently be tested for diabetes throughout childhood.
Jared T. Brownfield, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - East Huntington 304-399-2480
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Jessica Buerck, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
Lisa G. Burke, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
William N. Burns, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
- Gynecology
- Obstetrics
- Reproductive Health - Men
- Reproductive Health - Women
- Telemedicine
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
Yolanda Campbell, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
David G. Chaffin, Jr., MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
- Perinatal Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital 304-526-2124
Kevin J. Conaway, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
Jesse N. Cottrell, MD, MSc, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
- Perinatal Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital 304-526-2124
Adam M. Franks, MD
Clinical Interests:
- Newborn Care
- Obstetrics
- Primary Care
- Telemedicine
Locations:
- Marshall Family Medicine - Lavalette 304-697-9480
Stacey N. Hensel, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley 304-691-1800
David C. Jude, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Hisham A. Keblawi, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - East Huntington 304-399-2480
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Brenda L. Mitchell, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Amanda N. Pauley, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - East Huntington 304-399-2480
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Amy "Ally" Roy, MD, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - East Huntington 304-399-2480
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Kristin Sinning, MD, MPH, FACOG
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Emily Sloane, MD
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - East Huntington 304-399-2480
- Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington 304-691-1400
Morgan C. Stickler, MD
Clinical Interests:
Locations:
- Marshall Family Medicine - Lavalette 304-697-9480

Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - East Huntington
5170 U.S. Route 60
Suite 3400
Huntington, WV 25705
Phone: 304-399-2480

Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Huntington
An outpatient department of Cabell Huntington Hospital
Marshall University Medical Center
1600 Medical Center Drive
Suite 4500 (4th Floor)
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: 304-691-1400
Toll-Free Phone: 877-691-1600

Marshall Obstetrics & Gynecology - Teays Valley
300 Corporate Center Drive
3rd Floor
Scott Depot, WV 25560
Phone: 304-691-1800
Marshall Health is proud to partner with you on your journey toward health and wellness. We invite you to check back often as we update this information.
Additional Information
Womenshealth.gov - Pregnancy Complications
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Gestational Diabetes