How is gestational diabetes defined?

Gestational diabetes is specifically defined as glucose intolerance that develops during pregnancy. This condition typically arises as a result of hormonal changes that affect insulin sensitivity in the body during gestation. The increased levels of hormones such as human placental lactogen and cortisol can interfere with the action of insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels that may not have been present prior to pregnancy.

This definition is critical as it helps healthcare providers differentiate gestational diabetes from other forms of diabetes, such as preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes, which are not induced by pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery, although it may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life for both the mother and the child. Identifying and managing gestational diabetes is important for the health of both the mother and the developing fetus.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition or nature of gestational diabetes. For instance, glucose intolerance post-delivery refers to a different situation where women may still have high blood sugar after giving birth, which does not fit the definition of gestational diabetes. The inability to produce insulin during pregnancy describes a condition more akin to type 1 diabetes, rather than the insulin resistance encountered in gestational diabetes. Likewise, permanent diabetes condition