At least one in three people in the Rio Grande Valley live with diabetes. People who are overweight or have a family history are most at risk of developing the disease. 

But experts say that isn't the case for everyone.

Gestational diabetes can happen in women with no history of diabetes. It develops during pregnancy and often without warning.

The condition is caused by hormones from the placenta. Because there are usually no symptoms, doctors routinely screen expecting mothers between 24 and 28 weeks.

"When a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I usually will send her to a nutrition class because in most cases diabetes can be managed with diet alone so that's where our nutritionists come in and help mothers plan their meals," OBGYN Dr. Jennifer Almonte said.

Treatment can include a controlled diet, checking blood sugar daily and sometimes medication.

It usually goes away after birth, but doctors say follow-up screenings are important.