Gestational diabetes, or diabetes that occurs in pregnancy and resolves at birth, occurs in approximately three to eight pregnancies of every 100 in America. Risk factors for developing gestational diabetes include being borderline diabetic, having a family history of diabetes, being overweight and, oddly, having given birth to a child previously that weighed nine pounds or more.
As mentioned, gestational diabetes normally resolves itself at birth. About 5% of women who have gestational diabetes go on to develop adult onset type 2 diabetes. This statistic is a fairly recently discovered connection and has only recently been taken into account in life insurance underwriting.
As early as two years ago a history of gestational diabetes was not a ratable issue at all from a life insurance perspective. There was no known link, at that time, between the occurrence during pregnancy and any other health issues. With studies now showing a link, albeit a relatively small link, between gestational and type 2, companies are split on how they view the problem.
Many companies have simply gone to a standard rate if you have had gestational diabetes. All companies are taking a more careful view of other risk factors such as pre-diabetes and obesity.
Some companies still maintain that, in the absence of other risk factors or collateral health issues, gestational diabetes is a non event from a mortality assumption view.
In any case, if you have had gestational diabetes, the Hinerman Group will help you select a company that can provide the best underwriting.
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