Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by abnormal glucose tolerance and high blood sugar during pregnancy. It usually develops during the second or third trimester and resolves soon after delivery. Early identification of this condition is important, as it increases the risk of health complications for both the expecting parent and the baby when left untreated.[1] This includes short-term risks (e.g., large for gestational age newborns, birth trauma, neonatal respiratory and metabolic complications, etc.)[2][3] and long-term risks (e.g., type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the parent, and later-life obesity and type 2 diabetes in the offspring).[4][5] Successful management of blood sugar greatly decreases the short- and long-term risks associated with gestational diabetes.[6]
What is gestational diabetes?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Gestational diabetes is a condition marked by high blood sugar and abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy; it typically occurs in the second or third trimester and resolves after delivery. Early detection and management are crucial to reduce both short-term and long-term health risks for the parent and baby.