What should I know after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

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

If you were recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you likely have a lot of questions about your health, your baby’s health, and what to expect for the rest of your pregnancy.

Although gestational diabetes raises certain risks and needs additional care, it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy. In fact, most people do!

It may seem overwhelming at first, but your healthcare team is here for you and will help you learn the steps to keep you and your baby safe. You’ve got this.

Let’s go over the basics about what causes gestational diabetes and how you’ll work with your team to manage it.

Understanding gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during the 2^nd or 3^rd trimester of pregnancy. (If diagnosed during the 1^st trimester, it’s considered to be pre-existing diabetes.) Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications that can occur during pregnancy, happening in as many as 1 out of 10 pregnancies.

What causes it?

During pregnancy, your body produces hormones for the baby’s growth and development. Unfortunately, these hormones make it harder for your body to control blood sugar levels. For some people, this results in high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and causes gestational diabetes to develop.

Gestational diabetes can happen to anyone, and it’s nothing to feel guilty about. People of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds can develop diabetes during pregnancy. There are some things that can increase your risk, but having risk factors does not necessarily mean you’ll get it.

You may have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes if you:

Had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Have had “prediabetes” (elevated or slightly high blood sugar)
Have a close relative with diabetes
Had a large baby before (9 pounds or more)
Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Were overweight before pregnancy
Are a race or ethnicity with higher risk (Black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander)
Are 35 or older

Does this mean I’ll have type 2 diabetes?

It can be reassuring to learn that gestational diabetes is temporary, only happening during pregnancy. For most people, it goes away after the baby is born and your body stops making the pregnancy hormones. But if you continue to have high blood sugar after delivery, type 2 diabetes may be diagnosed.

It’s important to know that having gestational diabetes does raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life (even if it goes away after pregnancy). Staying physically active and following a healthy eating plan can help reduce this risk.

Why does blood sugar matter?

High blood sugar can result in health problems during and after pregnancy.

But keeping your blood sugar in the target range will reduce your risk of complications, keeping both you and your baby safe now and in the long term.

Risks for you

High blood sugar during pregnancy increases the risk of:

Infection
A larger sized baby (greater than 9 pounds)
Preterm labor
Difficult delivery or C-section
Additional complications
Type 2 diabetes later in life

Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy). Preeclampsia can be serious, even life-threatening. Signs can include:

Headaches
Vision changes
Pain in upper belly
Sudden swelling (especially in ankles and feet)
Sudden weight gain

If you have any signs of preeclampsia, call your doctor right away.

Risks for your baby

Having high blood sugar can affect your baby’s health. This includes an increased risk for:

Stillbirth
Large birth size (above 9 pounds)
Jaundice
Underdeveloped lungs
Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life

In addition, babies are at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) at birth. This is because if a growing baby experiences high blood sugar in the womb, their body will make extra insulin to help lower their blood sugar. After birth, when they are no longer exposed to the parent’s high blood sugar levels, the extra insulin can make the baby’s blood sugar drop.

Very low blood sugar at birth requires close monitoring and treatment to prevent further problems. All of this might feel worrisome. But remember, by following your gestational diabetes care plan, you are helping to lower the risk of problems for your baby.

Your care plan to manage gestational diabetes

You will work closely with your health care team to come up with a care plan that best meets your needs. Everyone is different, but a gestational diabetes care plan will usually include:

Checking your blood sugar every day (fasting in the morning and after meals)
Following a healthy meal plan
Being physically active

Some people may need to take medicine as well. Your team will help you understand what’s recommended for you.

Your number one goal is to keep your blood sugar within your target range. To check your blood sugar at home, your doctor will give you a blood glucose meter and test strips or write you a prescription to pick it up at your pharmacy. Some people may use a device called a continuous glucose monitor, a wearable device that measures blood sugar throughout the day and night.

Be sure to find out what your blood sugar targets are and how many times a day you should check your blood sugar.

Finding support for your journey ahead

As you follow your care plan with your doctor, rely on your family, friends, and care team for support. Your Progyny Care Advocate is another resource as you manage the precious health of you and your baby.

For more information on managing gestational diabetes:

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.