What characterizes gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is characterized by abnormal blood glucose maintenance during pregnancy, which is precisely why this answer is correct. This condition typically arises when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands during pregnancy, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. It usually develops in the second or third trimester and can affect the health of both the mother and the baby if left unmanaged.

The other options describe conditions that do not accurately reflect the nature of gestational diabetes. Diabetes that develops after age 40 refers to adult-onset diabetes, commonly type 2 diabetes, rather than a pregnancy-related condition. Type I diabetes diagnosed in pregnancy pertains to a pre-existing autoimmune condition rather than gestational diabetes, which is specifically triggered during pregnancy. Lastly, gestational diabetes is not a permanent condition – it usually resolves after childbirth, although it does increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.