Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is characterized by "glucose intolerance that develops during pregnancy.” (AND, 2018) In the US, 4.6-9.2% of pregnant women develop GDM. GDM is associated with complications for the infant and mother:(AND, 2018)

Infant complications: macrosomia,large fetal size, neonatal hypoglycemia, and obesity and glucose intolerance in late adolescence and adulthood

Maternal complications: increased risk of difficult labor and delivery, hypertensive disorders, caesarean section, and increased risk of developing type 1 and/or type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.

For women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy, optimal glycemic control before conception is ideal; hyperglycemia during conception and during the first trimester is associated with congenital defects and spontaneous abortion.