Type 2 diabetes in pregnancy: importance of optimized care before, during and after pregnancy.

Women with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are an increasingly important part of the practice of obstetric medicine. The rising rates of obesity and advanced maternal age have resulted in a surge in the number of pregnant women with T2DM. The hyperglycaemia and associated conditions of the metabolic syndrome lead to poor obstetric outcome and impact on the long-term health of the mother and offspring. It is essential that women and care-givers recognize the seriousness of T2DM in pregnancy and strive to improve prepregnancy care, obstetric outcome and the long-term health of both the mother and child.