Diabetic pregnancy

Pregnancy in a woman with pre-existing diabetes mellitus or in a woman who develops diabetes during pregnancy. The latter is known as gestational diabetes. Women with established diabetes mellitus can have a normal pregnancy provided that the diabetes is controlled well. Poor control of blood glucose during the pregnancy may affect the baby’s growth or increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is usually detected in the second half of pregnancy. The mother does not produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal. True gestational diabetes disappears with the delivery of the baby but is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life.

 

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