What is a potential consequence of untreated diabetes during pregnancy?

Prepare for the Midwifery Pharmacology Test. Study with comprehensive questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and boost your confidence. Get ready to ace your exam!

Untreated diabetes during pregnancy can lead to several serious complications, with preterm labor being one of the notable risks. When a pregnant person has untreated diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels can adversely affect the body's systems and lead to complications such as infections, which can induce labor prematurely. Additionally, the fetus may also be impacted by the mother's uncontrolled blood sugar levels, potentially leading to excess growth (macrosomia), which can then increase the risk of preterm labor.

While it’s true that low birth weight and gestational hypertension can also be associated with diabetes, they do not represent the most common or direct consequence of the condition. High blood sugar tends to lead to larger-than-average babies rather than low birth weight. Similarly, gestational hypertension is a wider issue that can occur in various pregnancy contexts, not exclusively linked to untreated diabetes. Therefore, among the options presented, preterm labor is a significant outcome of the complications that can arise from untreated diabetes during pregnancy.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy