What factors may predispose a mother to gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is influenced by several risk factors, and among the options provided, maternal obesity and a history of previous gestational diabetes play significant roles.

Maternal obesity is a critical factor because excess body weight is associated with insulin resistance, which can lead to elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This condition makes it more challenging for the body to regulate blood sugar effectively, increasing the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.

Furthermore, a history of previous gestational diabetes significantly raises the risk for future pregnancies. Women who have experienced gestational diabetes are more prone to it in subsequent pregnancies due to factors such as insulin resistance that may persist even after the previous pregnancy.

Other options do include important factors, such as age and ethnicity, which can influence gestational diabetes risk, but they do not speak directly to the most impactful and modifiable risks presented in this scenario. By focusing specifically on maternal obesity and the history of gestational diabetes, it is clear why this combination is particularly predictive of the condition during pregnancy.