Type 4 (Gestational Diabetes):
Gestational Diabetes is a high blood sugar condition similar to Type
2 Diabetes that some women get during pregnancy; these women have
higher than normal levels of glucose in their blood and their body cannot
produce enough Insulin to get it all into
the cells; this is due to certain pregnancy hormones stopping, or slowing
the production of Insulin; and at this stage it is not just the mother
that requires energy, the unborn child needs it too, but without the
right amount of Insulin there will not be enough energy for both mother
and child.

If Gestational Diabetes is not detected and controlled, it can increase
the risk of birth complications, such as Shoulder Dystocia, when the
baby’s shoulder gets stuck during the birth; it can also lead to babies
being large for their gestational age.
How Common Is Gestational Diabetes?
Around 14% of women giving birth in England and Wales are affected by
gestational Diabetes and others have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes; the
good news is that Gestational Diabetes can often be controlled with
diet and exercise; though some will require medication, even Insulin,
to control their blood glucose levels; in most cases, Gestational Diabetes
develops in the second or third trimester, from week 14 of the pregnancy
to the birth, and disappears after the baby is born; however, women
who develop gestational Diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes
later in life.
Diabetes Related Information Leaflets
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