Final answer:
Gestational diabetes may lead to maternal complications such as preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as fetal complications like macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gestational diabetes can result in several complications for both the mother and the fetus. Maternal complications include preeclampsia, which is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, often the kidneys; an increased likelihood of a cesarean delivery due to the baby's large size or the mother's health conditions; and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. For the fetus, complications can include macrosomia, which refers to a baby with a large birth weight; hypoglycemia at birth, which is low blood sugar due to the baby's own insulin production; and an elevated risk of respiratory distress syndrome, a condition where the baby's lungs aren't fully developed and can't provide enough oxygen on their own.