( CNN ) -- Babies may be born larger than normal because of a condition called gestational diabetes . That explains why baby Jasleen , born in Germany last week , weighed more than 13 pounds . Her mother had gestational diabetes , but her condition was n't discovered until she went into labor and checked herself into University Hospital Leipzig . Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and resembles other forms of diabetes in that it affects how your cells use sugar ( glucose ) . With gestational diabetes , a mother 's blood sugar should return to normal soon after delivery . However , the condition puts women at risk for type 2 diabetes in the future . For every 100 pregnant women in the U.S , two to 10 will have gestational diabetes , the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says . A woman who has gestational diabetes during pregnancy and maintains a high blood-sugar level may have a baby born abnormally large , weighing 9 pounds or more , the CDC says . A baby 's large size creates problems for the delivery of the child through the birth canal and may cause nerve damage in the child 's shoulder during birth . `` A very large baby has an increased chance of being overweight or obese later in life , '' the CDC says . `` Being overweight or obese increases the chance of also having diabetes later in life . '' Gestational diabetes results from hormonal changes that every woman has during pregnancy , according to the Cleveland Clinic . Elevated levels of certain hormones made in the placenta disrupt insulin 's ability to manage glucose , a condition called insulin resistance . ( The placenta is the organ connecting the baby by the umbilical cord to the uterus and sends nutrients from mother to child . ) As the placenta becomes larger throughout pregnancy , it creates more hormones , which , in turn , increases the insulin resistance , the Cleveland Clinic said . The mother 's pancreas is typically able to make three times the normal amount of insulin to beat this resistance , according to the Cleveland Clinic . If the pancreas ca n't produce the required amount of insulin , however , sugar levels will rise , and the woman will have gestational diabetes . You may be at risk for gestational diabetes if you are overweight before becoming pregnant , have a family history of diabetes , are older than 25 , have previously giving birth to a baby over 9 pounds , previously gave birth to a stillborn baby , have had gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes , the Cleveland Clinic said . Women typically find out whether they have gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy , according to the Cleveland Clinic . That 's when insulin resistance usually begins . If you previously had gestational diabetes or if your doctor is concerned about your risk of developing it , you can be tested for the condition before the 13th week of pregnancy , according to the Cleveland Clinic . An oral glucose tolerance test is used to screen for gestational diabetes . This involves consuming 50 grams of glucose in a beverage . Your body will absorb the glucose and cause your blood sugar levels to rise within 30 to 60 minutes , according to the Cleveland Clinic . Blood samples are taken from a vein in your arm 30 minutes after consuming the sweetened drink so that your doctor can evaluate how your body processes glucose . According to the Mayo Clinic , expectant mothers can control gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods , exercising and , if required , taking medication . Treatment may include monitoring blood sugar four to five times a day , which involves drawing a drop of blood from your finger and testing it with a blood glucose meter . Your health care providers will monitor and manage your blood sugar levels during labor and delivery . Following up with blood sugar checks after the baby is born is also important . You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on by continuing to eat a healthy diet and getting regular exercise . CNN 's Dana Ford contributed to this report .
Jasleen 's mother had gestational diabetes , which contributed to her large size . Gestational diabetes results from hormonal changes every pregnant woman has . CDC : A large baby will have an increased chance of being overweight or obese later in life .