Gestational Diabetes Risk: Understanding Your Chances

Question
I have an identical twin sister who had gest. diabetes with both children, and in fact, her son was born 8 weeks early weighing 9 lbs.  Is there a high likelyhood I'll have the same problems?  Is it completely related to diet/exer or is it partially inherited?

Answer
There is no reason to suspect that you will have the same problems that your twin sister had during her pregnancy. Diabetes is a multifactorial disease and is caused by environmental and behavioral factors as well. Certainly, large-for-gestational age babies can be due to diabetes or carbohydrate intolerance, but can also be due to genetic  predisposition. If you maintain a careful diet and follow the direction of your doctors, you should have no problems.