Gestational diabetes: Working with your team | Progyny

Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — October 2025.

Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can leave you with many questions. You may be wondering what comes next or what to expect during your care. The good news is that you are not alone. Your care team will guide you through these next steps to keep you and your baby healthy.

Here are 3 things to know about working with your healthcare team.

1. Your team is here for you.

In addition to your primary care provider and OB/GYN, you may also work with other healthcare providers.

For example, you may be referred to a certified diabetes care and education specialist and/or registered dietitian, who you can see regularly (weekly or monthly).

A certified diabetes care and education specialist is an expert in diabetes, usually a registered nurse or a registered dietitian. They can help:

• Guide you through managing gestational diabetes
• Review your blood sugar numbers and coach you on making changes with your meals and exercise to reach your goals
• Teach you how to check your blood sugar using your blood sugar meter and how to use insulin (if you are given any)

A registered dietitian is a credentialed food and nutrition expert, also called a dietitian or nutritionist. They can:

• Review your blood sugar logs with you at each visit and coach you on making changes with your meals and exercise to reach your goals
• Guide you in selecting foods that are safe and healthy for you and your baby
• Support you in reaching your pregnancy weight goals
• Follow up with you after you deliver to help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes

Other care providers may include an endocrinologist (doctor specializing in diabetes), midwife, nurses, and providers for your baby. It depends on your individual needs and how your clinic or hospital is set up to provide care.

It’s good to know, your care plan and frequency of appointments may change as you get closer to your delivery date.

2. Your blood sugar numbers will help you stay on track.

A key part of managing your diabetes is checking your blood sugar regularly.

Your doctor will give you a blood glucose meter and test strips (or you may get a prescription to pick these up at the pharmacy). Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to use your blood glucose meter. It’s also a great idea for you to use it in front of them to be sure you’ve got it.

Be sure you understand:

• Your target blood sugar range (write it down and keep it with you)
• What to do if your numbers are out of range (too high or too low)
• How often to check your blood sugar (often 4 times a day—be sure to ask)

Helpful tips:

• Record your numbers using your phone, an app, or a notebook. You will share these at your visits!
• Carry your blood glucose meter with you, so you never miss a check.
• Refill your prescription for new test strips about once a month.
• Call your healthcare team with any questions or challenges.

3. Ask questions and communicate.

You do not have to wait until you have an appointment to reach out to your care team. If you’re having any trouble with your care plan (healthy eating, physical activity, and checking your blood sugar), let your care team know.

Bring your blood sugar results to all your visits. Also, bring a written list of questions so you remember what you wanted to talk about.

Here are some questions you might want to ask.

After your diagnosis:

1. What care plan do you recommend for me?
2. When should I check my blood sugar?
3. What are my target blood sugar numbers?
4. What should I do if I have a blood sugar reading outside my target level?
5. What is my pregnancy weight goal?
6. What exercise should I do and how often?
7. How might my blood sugar change over my pregnancy?
8. How will my care plan change over my pregnancy?

When getting closer to your delivery date:

1. Are there any changes that I need to make?
2. What should I expect during delivery?
3. What should I expect after delivery?
4. How long after delivery should I keep checking my blood sugar?
5. What do I need to know about breastfeeding?
6. How often will I be screened for type 2 diabetes?

Your next steps

Knowing what’s to come and what questions to ask can help give you peace of mind. Your Progyny Care Advocate is a great resource to help you prepare questions for your next visit.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.