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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any high blood sugar diagnosis which is first recognized during pregnancy. It may be the case that undiagnosed diabetes existed
before pregnancy, or that the hormones of pregnancy brought on high blood sugar for the first time. In either case, the diagnosis of diabetes during pregnancy is appropriately
categorized as gestational diabetes. The reason for this is that blood sugar management strategies and goals for preganant women are unique. Medical care of gestational diabetes must
promote a healthy pregnancy and delivery for both mother and child. Insulin may be needed temporarily by women whose pregnancies are complicated by diabetes. For
others, diet management alone is effective to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Six weeks or more after delivery, women with GDM should be reevaluated for diabetes or
continuing altered sugar metabolism. Although in most cases glucose metabolism will return to normal after delivery, women who had GDM have an increased risk of developing type 2
diabetes later in life.
Diabetes in pregnancy
may give rise to several adverse outcomes, including congenital malformations, increased birth weight and an elevated risk of prenatal mortality. Strict metabolic control may reduce these risks to the level of those of non-diabetic expectant mothers.
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"This web site is intended to help patients and their families learn MORE about their medical conditions and some of the options available to them.
This information is not assumed to be comprehensive or provide answers to all questions related to the topic of diabetes. This is an informational only web site and is not intended to be used for the
diagnosis or treatment of any specific individual. You must consult with your physician regarding your particular circumstances."
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