During which trimester does gestational diabetes typically develop?

Gestational diabetes typically develops during the second trimester of pregnancy. This condition arises when the body is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the increased needs during pregnancy, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. While hormonal changes are present throughout pregnancy, the second trimester is when the placenta forms and begins producing hormones that can disrupt insulin function, increasing the risk of gestational diabetes.

In the first trimester, the body is still adjusting to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, which may not yet significantly affect insulin sensitivity. The third trimester may involve more complications related to existing diabetic conditions, but the onset of gestational diabetes usually occurs around the 24th to 28th week, defining its typical occurrence during the second trimester. The idea that gestational diabetes can affect individuals throughout the entire pregnancy is not accurate; its onset is specifically linked to the developments occurring in the second trimester.