Imprinting in Metabolic Diseases - Identifying Epigenetic Mechanisms in Human Gestational Diabetes Through Cell-free DNA

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation * The father of the child is known and willing to participate in the study * No known underlying medical conditions in either parent * No fetal abnormalities detected in first-trimester screening, detailed fetal anatomy ultrasound, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), or any additional prenatal examinations performed, if applicable * No known underlying diseases * Understanding and voluntary signing of a consent form before study- related examinations Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 years * Type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus * Pharmacological treatment affecting blood glucose levels (e.g., steroids, insulin) * Endocrine disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome \[PCOS\]) * Current depression or other psychiatric disorders * Eating disorders * Regular use of medication during pregnancy * Pre-existing cardiovascular disease * Drug and/or alcohol abuse * Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 ml/min/1.73 m² * C-reactive protein \> 10 mg/l * Transaminase elevation of 2 times the upper norm * No consent to be informed about incidentally discovered pathological findings * Any other (clinical) condition that would endanger participants safety or question scientific success according to the physicians opinion.