When I was first diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I was overwhelmed, scared, and convinced I was failing before I even started. I thought I'd done something wrong. I worried constantly about my baby. And I felt so alone in it all.
If you're feeling that way right now, I want you to know: you're not alone, and those feelings are completely valid. But I also want to share the truths that helped me get through it—the things I wish someone had told me from day one 💛
This isn't about your diet, your weight, or your choices. GD is a placenta thing, not a you thing.
Let me say it louder for the people in the back: gestational diabetes is not your fault.
Your placenta produces hormones that block insulin. That's it. That's the whole story. Some bodies can compensate for this insulin resistance on their own. Others need help. It's not about what you ate before pregnancy, how much you exercised, or any choice you made. It's biology.
I spent the first few weeks after my diagnosis replaying everything I'd eaten, every workout I'd skipped, every "bad" choice I thought I'd made. But once I understood that GD is a hormonal condition caused by pregnancy—not a personal failing—everything shifted.
Try this: Next time you feel guilt creeping in, remind yourself out loud: "This is not my fault. This is my placenta doing its job."
You don't need perfect numbers. You need consistent effort and patterns that work for YOUR body.
I used to think I needed to hit my target range every single time. When I didn't, I felt like I was failing. But here's what I learned: gestational diabetes management isn't about perfection—it's about patterns.
One high number doesn't define your day. What matters is:
Are most of your numbers in range?
Are you learning what works for your body?
Are you showing up and trying, even on hard days?
That's progress. And progress is what keeps you and your baby healthy.
Remember: Your glucose meter isn't grading you. It's giving you feedback. Use it as a tool, not a judge.
Hormones fluctuate. Stress happens. Sleep gets disrupted. One rough day doesn't undo all your progress.
There were days when I ate the exact same breakfast that worked perfectly the day before—and my number was still high. I'd feel frustrated, defeated, and ready to give up.
But then I learned: your body isn't a machine. Hormones fluctuate throughout pregnancy (especially as you get further along). Stress raises blood sugar. Poor sleep raises blood sugar. Being sick raises blood sugar. Even your baby's growth spurts can affect your numbers.
What this means: A rough day doesn't erase all the good days. It doesn't mean you're failing. It just means your body is doing something different today—and that's okay.
Give yourself grace on the hard days. Tomorrow is a fresh start.
No one else can tell you exactly what will work for you. Testing, tracking, and experimenting will teach you more than any guide.
At first, I wanted someone to just hand me a meal plan and say, "Eat this, and you'll be fine." But gestational diabetes doesn't work that way. What spikes my blood sugar might not spike yours. What works for your friend might not work for you.
The only way to figure out what works is to test, track, and experiment:
Does oatmeal spike you, or does it keep you steady?
Can you handle a small apple, or do berries work better?
Do you need a big bedtime snack, or does a small one work better for your fasting number?
You'll become the expert on your body. And that knowledge is powerful—not just for this pregnancy, but for your health long-term.
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Whether it's medication, a dietitian, or just venting in a Facebook group—you don't have to do this alone.
I'm the type of person who likes to figure things out on my own. But with gestational diabetes, I quickly learned: asking for help isn't weakness. It's wisdom.
If you're struggling with your numbers, talk to your doctor about medication. If you're confused about meal planning, ask for a referral to a dietitian. If you're feeling overwhelmed, find a support group (like the HIgedi community) where other mamas get it.
You don't have to do this alone. And honestly? You'll manage it better when you have support.
Some of the strongest mamas I know are the ones who said, "I need help"—and then accepted it without shame.
Seriously. You're managing this. You're showing up. That's what matters.
This was the fear that kept me up at night: What if I'm hurting my baby?
But here's the truth: you're not. You're testing your blood sugar. You're adjusting your meals. You're doing everything you can to keep your numbers in range. That's exactly what your baby needs.
Gestational diabetes that's monitored and managed doesn't harm your baby. In fact, by staying on top of it, you're giving your baby the healthiest start possible.
Your baby is going to be okay. And so are you.
It makes you a mom who's willing to do hard things for her baby. That's powerful.
I used to feel like gestational diabetes made me "less than" other pregnant moms. Like I was broken, or like my body wasn't doing what it was supposed to do.
But then I realized: I'm doing something incredibly hard. I'm testing my blood sugar multiple times a day. I'm planning every meal. I'm tracking, adjusting, and advocating for my baby's health. That's not weakness. That's strength.
Gestational diabetes doesn't make you less of a mom. It makes you a mom who shows up, even when it's hard. And that's the kind of mom your baby is lucky to have.
One day, this will all be a memory. You'll look back and realize how strong you were.
In the thick of it, gestational diabetes can feel endless. But here's what I want you to remember: for most women, GD resolves after delivery.
One day—sooner than you think—you'll hold your baby in your arms, and the daily testing and meal planning will be behind you. You'll look back and realize just how strong you were. How much you learned. How you showed up for your baby every single day, even when it was hard.
But here's the important part: Having GD does mean you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. That's not meant to scare you—it's meant to empower you. The habits you're building now (balanced meals, movement, body awareness) are setting you up for long-term health. You're not just managing GD—you're learning skills that can help protect your future health.
And when that day comes, you'll be so proud of yourself.
After delivery, make sure to get tested: Most doctors recommend an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) 6-12 weeks postpartum to check your baseline. Learn what to expect from your postpartum OGTT and why it matters for your long-term health.
Looking back, I wish someone had told me these truths from day one. Not because they would've made GD easier (let's be honest, it's still hard), but because they would've helped me be kinder to myself.
You're not failing. You're learning. And every single day you show up, test your blood sugar, and make choices for your baby—that's you being an incredible mom.
Other mamas who found their way through GD:
Jenna's story: From perfectionism to self-compassion
Sabrina's story: From overwhelm to giving some grace
Lola's journey: Managing GD with insulin and early diagnosis
Alyssa's experience: Navigating GD with anxiety and self-doubt
Every story is different, but they all remind us: you're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.
What's a truth about GD that helped you get through it?
Share it in the HIgedi community—your words might be exactly what someone needs to hear today 💛
1. Is gestational diabetes my fault?
No. Gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy hormones produced by your placenta that block insulin. It's not caused by your diet, weight, or lifestyle choices. Some bodies can compensate for this insulin resistance on their own, and others need help. It's biology, not blame.
2. Do I need perfect blood sugar numbers with gestational diabetes?
No. You need consistent effort and patterns that work for your body. One high number doesn't define your management—what matters is that most of your numbers are in range and you're learning what works for you. Progress over perfection.
3. Why do my gestational diabetes numbers fluctuate even when I eat the same foods?
Pregnancy hormones fluctuate throughout the day and as your pregnancy progresses. Stress, sleep quality, illness, and even your baby's growth spurts can all affect blood sugar levels. Your body isn't a machine—some variation is completely normal.
4. Will my baby be okay if I have gestational diabetes?
By testing your blood sugar, adjusting your meals, and following your care team's guidance, you're giving your baby the healthiest start possible. It's better to be diagnosed and get the chance to manage GD than to go undiagnosed.
5. Is it okay to ask for help with gestational diabetes?
Absolutely. Asking for help—whether it's medication, a dietitian, or emotional support from other GD mamas—is a sign of strength, not weakness. You don't have to manage this alone, and you'll likely do better with support.
6. Does gestational diabetes make me less of a mom?
Not at all. Managing gestational diabetes while growing a baby is incredibly hard work. It makes you a mom who's willing to do difficult things for your baby's health. That's strength, dedication, and love—not weakness.
7. How long will I have gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is temporary and typically resolves after delivery. For most women, blood sugar levels return to normal within hours to days after giving birth. However, you'll need follow-up testing 6-12 weeks postpartum to confirm.
8. What's the most important thing to know about gestational diabetes?
The most important thing: this is not your fault, and you're doing better than you think. GD is a hormonal condition, not a personal failing. With consistent effort, support, and self-compassion, you and your baby are going to be just fine.
If you're newly diagnosed and need more guidance, check out our Newly Diagnosed Essentials Guide for everything you need to know in those first overwhelming weeks.
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