A–Z Glossary

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is a reduced response to insulin that increases naturally during pregnancy to help prioritize nutrient transfer to the fetus.

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Blood sugar control insulin use and complications

Blood sugar control insulin use and complications

Why glucose control matters in pregnancy Glucose is the main circulating fuel available to the developing fetus, and maternal blood glucose crosses the placenta readily. Insulin itself does not cross the placenta in meaningful amounts, so when maternal glucose is elevated, the fetal pancreas responds by producing more insulin. This physiology explains why maternal hyperglycemia […]

Postpartum diabetes risk

Postpartum diabetes risk

Why diabetes risk changes after pregnancy Gestational diabetes mellitus, often called GDM, is glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. In many cases, blood glucose improves soon after delivery because the placenta, a major driver of pregnancy-related insulin resistance, is no longer present. This improvement can be reassuring, but it does not mean the metabolic story […]

Gestational diabetes testing and blood sugar monitoring

Gestational diabetes testing and blood sugar monitoring

Why gestational diabetes screening is part of routine prenatal care Glucose testing in pregnancy is common because gestational diabetes can develop without clear symptoms. Many people feel well and still have blood sugar values that rise above the target range, so waiting for symptoms is not a reliable way to detect it. Screening is usually […]

Maternal body changes month by month

Maternal body changes month by month

Month 1: hormonal signaling begins before the body looks pregnant Month 1 is counted from the first day of the last menstrual period, so conception usually occurs around the middle of this month. For part of this time, a person may not yet know they are pregnant. Still, endocrine activity begins early: human chorionic gonadotropin, […]