How to Thrive with Gestational Diabetes: Tips from DiabetesSisters Meetup Hosts
In this heartfelt conversation hosted by DiabetesSisters Gestational Diabetes Meetup leaders Jennifer Smith, RD, CDCES, and Jennifer Stanton, women living with or affected by gestational diabetes or postpartum diabetes risk will find guidance, empathy, and community.
Jenny, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, has supported women through pregnancy with diabetes for more than two decades. Jen, a longtime DiabetesSisters member, experienced gestational diabetes in both of her pregnancies before being diagnosed with LADA (type 1). Together, they share evidence-based information and real-life wisdom that speaks to both heart and health.
1. You can have a healthy pregnancy with gestational diabetes
Pregnancy hormones naturally increase glucose levels, which can make blood sugar management more challenging. This is not failure. It is simply how the body changes during pregnancy.
Your care tools such as meal planning, movement, glucose tracking, and insulin when needed help protect both you and your baby.
Try this: Bring your top three questions and a one-week food and activity log to your next appointment. It gives your care team helpful insight for personalizing your plan.
2. Weight gain, GLP-1 medications, and what is realistic during pregnancy
Pregnancy is not the time for weight loss. The goal is healthy, individualized weight gain or stability, based on your clinician’s guidance.
If you are using a weight-loss medication such as a GLP-1, talk with your provider about stopping it at least three months before trying to conceive. This allows your body time to adjust and gives you a window to focus on nutrition and activity habits that can support a healthy pregnancy.
3. Learn your body’s patterns through simple tracking
Jen shared that keeping a food and activity log transformed her pregnancy experience. She tracked what she ate, how active she was, and her blood glucose before and after meals. Over time, she noticed clear patterns:
- “Oatmeal spiked my blood sugar, while eggs kept it steady.”
- “A short 10 to 15 minute walk after dinner smoothed my numbers.”
Tracking helps you identify what works for your body and gives you confidence in your daily choices.
4. CGM: Your pregnancy superpower
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides real-time feedback on how food, stress, sleep, and activity affect your glucose levels. If a personal CGM is not available, ask your healthcare provider about a professional CGM trial or develop a structured fingerstick plan that fits your schedule.
5. Movement that supports you and your baby
Different types of activity affect blood sugar in different ways.
- Walking or gentle cardio typically lowers glucose.
- Strength training may cause a brief rise because of adrenaline, but it often improves sensitivity for several hours afterward.
If you cannot get outside, try chair workouts, light hand weights, or even lifting soup cans while watching TV. Ten minutes of movement after meals can make a meaningful difference.
6. If insulin becomes part of your plan, it is not a failure
Sometimes lifestyle changes are not enough to manage blood sugar. Pregnancy hormones can make it difficult to maintain target ranges with food and exercise alone. Starting insulin is not a setback. It is a safe and effective way to keep you and your baby healthy.
7. After delivery: GDM may leave, but your healthy habits stay
Gestational diabetes usually resolves after your baby is born, but it signals a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes. Continuing even one or two habits from pregnancy such as balanced meals, evening walks, or periodic glucose checks can lower that risk significantly.
8. Mental health and community support are part of the plan
Managing gestational diabetes can feel overwhelming at times. Emotional well-being is an essential part of diabetes care. Connecting with peers who understand what you are going through can make a difference.
Join a DiabetesSisters Gestational Diabetes Meetup to share experiences, learn strategies, and find encouragement from women who truly get it.
FAQ’s About Gestational Diabetes
When does GDM screening happen?
Most women are screened between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Higher-risk pregnancies may be screened earlier.
Will I have gestational diabetes in future pregnancies?
Not always. Healthy habits between pregnancies can lower your risk, although genetics and hormones can still influence your chances.
Is CGM safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Research shows that CGM can help improve outcomes for women with diabetes in pregnancy. Talk with your healthcare provider about what is available for you.
What happens after delivery?
Most people have a postpartum glucose test and ongoing follow-up. Stay in touch with your care team and continue healthy habits that support your long-term well-being.
You are already doing something amazing
As Jenny and Jen often say in the Gestational Diabetes Meetup, every action you take matters. Every meal you plan, every walk you take, and every question you ask helps you and your baby thrive.
You can do this, and you do not have to do it alone.
