Gestational diabetes also known as
gestational diabetes mellitus (
GDM), is a condition in which women without previously diagnosed
diabetes exhibit
high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels during
pregnancy (especially during their third trimester). Gestational diabetes is caused when
insulin receptors do not function properly. This is likely due to pregnancy-related factors such as the presence of
human placental lactogen that interferes with susceptible insulin receptors. This in turn causes inappropriately elevated blood sugar levels.