Diabetes During Pregnancy
Diabetes during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes, occurs in approximately 18 percent of all pregnancies, typically during the second and third trimesters. The cause may be explained by the placental hormones that block the body's use of insulin, which is also a form of insulin resistance.
All pregnant women need to make extra insulin to overcome this temporary insulin resistance, and it usually disappears after giving birth. Treatment of diabetes during pregnancy includes monitoring blood sugar, food and exercise as tolerated and allowed, in addition to pills or insulin as needed.
If you're concerned that you or someone you love might be at risk for developing diabetes, our diabetes health risk assessment can help.