Gestational diabetes (GDM) is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth. It can occur at any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second half. The problem affects an estimated 14% of pregnant women worldwide.
It occurs if the body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet the extra needs in pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes can cause problems for the mother and her baby during and after birth. As the research said, 1 in 7 births is affected by gestational diabetes. Complications to a mother include future diabetes, preeclampsia and eclampsia. To a baby, it is hypoglycemia or hyperinsulinemia, preterm and respiratory distress, overweight, type 2 diabetes, jaundice. The risk of these problems can be reduced if it’s early detected and managed well.