In gestation, insulin requirements for a person with preexisting type 1 diabetes typically increase during which period?

• A. First trimester
• B. Second trimester
• C. Third trimester
• D. Postpartum

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that pregnancy hormones make the body less responsive to insulin, so insulin needs rise as pregnancy progresses. Starting in the second trimester, placental hormones such as human placental lactogen increase insulin resistance in maternal tissues. This means more insulin is required to maintain the same blood glucose control. The need often keeps rising through the third trimester and then drops after delivery when pregnancy hormones fall. So, the period when insulin requirements typically begin to increase is the second trimester.