Prenatal care as soon as a woman knows she is pregnant has long been advised to avoid or treat potential complications of pregnancy. A new study adds to the importance of one aspect of prenatal care earlier than normal. That is gestational diabetes. Authors of an article in the journal Lancet say managing diabetes during pregnancy much earlier can prevent complications and improve long-term health. Their case for earlier prenatal care and testing for gestational diabetes is underscored by statistics showing increased risk of cesarean delivery or preterm delivery. Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes have ten times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life compared to those who don’t experience gestational diabetes.