Women who have trouble with high blood-sugar levels during pregnancy are more likely to develop diabetes in later life. It may be necessary to do blood tests to diagnose diabetes during pregnancy. In some areas, this testing is done routinely. If you have diabetes or know members of your family have had diabetes in the past, tell your doctor. He or she will decide what course of action is best for you.
Some women develop diabetes only during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes.
After pregnancy is over, nearly all women who experience this problem return to normal, and the problem disappears. We believe gestational diabetes occurs for two reasons. One is the mother's body produces less insulin during pregnancy. The second is the mother's body can't use insulin appropriately. Both situations result in high blood-sugar levels.