What type of diabetes affects pregnant women?

Gestational diabetes specifically refers to a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased needs during this time, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.

This condition usually arises in the second or third trimester and can affect any pregnant woman, especially those who are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. While type 1 and type 2 diabetes can impact women who are pregnant, they are pre-existing conditions rather than those that develop specifically as a result of pregnancy. Latent autoimmune diabetes, on the other hand, is a form of diabetes that can resemble type 2 but often occurs in adults and is an autoimmune condition.

The unique aspect of gestational diabetes is its clear onset linked to pregnancy, distinguishing it from other forms of diabetes that do not necessarily coincide with gestation. Therefore, this is the correct answer, as it directly relates to the changes that occur in the body during pregnancy.