Because of hormone and metabolic changes during pregnancy, some women with no previous history will develop diabetes during pregnancy. The term for this condition is gestational (ges-stay-shunul) diabetes. Prenatal screening by a physician will detect this condition. Gestational diabetes will usually disappear after the birth of the baby.
Women who develop gestational diabetes rarely need to take insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Controlling your diet and monitoring your blood sugar are normally sufficient to control the condition. Mothers with gestational diabetes tend to have larger babies, more difficult births, a higher incidence of birth trauma, and may need a Cesarean section.
Visit The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website for additional information.
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