Risk of diabetes in pregnancy can be increased due to several biological factors. Diabetes in pregnancy, also referred to as gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects the blood glucose levels of women during their pregnancy. When women are pregnant, their blood levels can become extremely elevated due to the conditions of the pregnancy. For example, the placenta is the organ that houses the baby while it is growing inside of the mother. The placenta is attached to the mother’s supply of blood in order to provide the fetus with blood, oxygen, and nutrients.

The placenta produces hormones that can prevent the normal process of glucose and insulin. Normally, insulin, which is manufactured in the pancreas, is required in order to convert glucose into energy and move the energy into muscle, fat, and other tissues in the body. These hormones from the placenta block the insulin and its …