GESTATIONAL DIABETES - A glucose intolerance which occurs in pregnancy, usually noticed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. In most cases the blood glucose level returns to normal after delivery. Although the symptoms of this form of diabetes are mild and non-serious for the mother, elevated blood glucose in the mother has been associated with an increased risk of fetal and newborn death. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include maternal age over 25, family history of diabetes, obesity, birth weight over 9 lb in a previous delivery, or a history for congenital birth defect, or death, in a previous newborn.