Gestational-diabetes-mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diabetes mellitus that develops in women for the first time in pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the risk of developing diabetes because of placental hormones. These placental hormones increase glucose levels and the body’s resistance to insulin, which is a hormone important for the control of blood glucose. GDM usually starts in the second or third trimester. 

If well-controlled, most women diagnosed with GDM will have normal pregnancies and babies. However, if not well-controlled, GDM has potential risks for both mother and baby. It is therefore important to diagnose and treat GDM optimally to reduce these risks.