Pre existing Diabetes (Type 1 & 2) and gestational Diabetes are an increasing problem in current obstetric practice. The ‘obesity epidemic’ is adding to the problem with increasing numbers of women being or becoming diabetic with pregnancy. Women postponing pregnancy for career advancement leads to women having their babies at an older age and thus increasing the risk of hypertension and diabetes in pregnancy. Pre-existing type 1 & 2 diabetes and those who become diabetic in pregnancy face number of adverse pregnancy outcomes for the fetus (congenital malformations, intra uterine growth restriction, macrosomia and unexplained stillbirth) and for the mother (hyperemisis, urinary tract infections, candidiasis, hypertension, preeclampsia, poor diabetic control and increased operative deliveries). Women’s perception as to what they face and how they are managed vary based on socio-economic, ethnic and geographic perspectives. The first few chapters deal with these issues.

Diabetes is traditionally controlled by diet and insulin. In the modern era oral hypoglycemic are used. The oral hypoglycemic are more acceptable but their efficacy and safety aspects are less well known. The available evidence on this difficult area is discussed. The oral agents show promise but long term follow up studies of children exposed to these drugs in utero need to be formulated. Different types of insulin are available and their chemical composition, dose and mode of administration vary. Based on the individual patient the dose, frequency and route of administration can be tailored.

Detail account of neonatal and maternal complications is described in two different chapters. The practicing clinician should know these complications and how to deal with them if they were to provide the best care. The final chapter deals with the sad and sensitive issue of stillbirths which is a difficult clinical problem to deal with. We believe that this issue on Diabetes in pregnancy provides the latest knowledge on this subject and will be useful for the Clinician and the Researcher.