Gestational diabetes was a curveball I never expected during my pregnancy. Looking back, I remember the confusion, stress, and even a little guilt that came with my diagnosis. But here’s what I learned: you don’t have to go through it alone. Opening up to my partner, family, and friends not only helped me feel less isolated—it actually made the journey easier (and yes, brought us closer together).
When I first explained gestational diabetes, I realized most people had never even heard of it, or they confused it with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. I found it helpful to start simple: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can happen during pregnancy because pregnancy hormones make it harder for your body to use insulin. It’s not anyone’s fault—it just happens, and it’s more common than most people think. Sharing that I hadn’t done anything wrong really eased my own guilt, and helped my loved ones see I needed support, not blame. The good news? With some extra care, it’s totally manageable.
At first, my family thought gestational diabetes meant just cutting out sweets, but it’s so much more. I explained that managing gestational diabetes meant checking my blood sugar several times a day, being careful with meal timing and choices, learning about carbs and proteins, and sometimes feeling frustrated by all the new rules. Some days, I felt tired or overwhelmed, and it helped for them to know why I might need to rest or skip out on plans. Once my loved ones saw it was more than just “avoiding sugar,” they understood why I needed their patience and support.
I used to hope people would just know how to help, but I learned that being direct was much better. I’d ask my partner to join me for walks, or my friends to help brainstorm snack ideas. Sometimes, I just needed someone to listen when I was worried about my numbers or feeling down. Being upfront took away the awkwardness and made it so much easier for others to support me in real, practical ways. No one’s a mind reader!
There are so many misconceptions about gestational diabetes. Some people thought it meant I’d have diabetes forever, or that it was caused by eating too much sugar before pregnancy. I gently let people know it wasn’t because of something I did wrong, and it didn’t mean the worst for me or my baby. Clearing up these myths made everyone less anxious and more helpful.
Sometimes, you’ll get comments about what you’re eating—helpful or not! If you want tips on how to handle those conversations with confidence, you might like my guide on how to handle comments about pregnancy food choices.
I encouraged my people to ask questions and share their thoughts, too. Sometimes they worried about saying the wrong thing, but I let them know I appreciated their curiosity. Honest conversations helped everyone feel more comfortable—and honestly, it took some pressure off me to have all the answers. It also meant I could learn from their perspectives and feel less alone.
Letting my partner and family in on what I was facing made everything feel a little lighter. They cheered me on, reminded me to take breaks, and sometimes even joined me in making healthier choices. It wasn’t just about managing gestational diabetes—it was about having a team in my corner, and that made all the difference for me (and for my baby, too). Looking back, I’m grateful I didn’t try to handle it all on my own.
While family and friends are important, sometimes the best support comes from people who’ve actually been there. That’s why I created the HIgedi app—a space where moms with current or past gestational diabetes can connect, share advice, and truly understand what you’re going through. Whether you need a listening ear, meal ideas, or just to know you’re not alone, the HIgedi community is always there for you—because sometimes, support from someone who “gets it” makes all the difference.
1. Is gestational diabetes my fault?
No! Gestational diabetes happens because of how pregnancy hormones affect insulin. It’s super common and can happen to anyone.
2. Will gestational diabetes hurt the baby?
With good management and support, most people with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and babies. Following your care plan is key.
3. What can I do to help?
Support healthy meal choices, join in walks or movement, listen without judgment, and ask what’s most helpful day-to-day.
4. Will gestational diabetes go away after pregnancy?
In most cases, gestational diabetes goes away after birth, but it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider. Most people are asked to do an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) 6–12 weeks after delivery—if you want to know what that’s like, here’s a guide on postpartum recovery and the OGTT after gestational diabetes.
5. Did you have to take insulin or medication?
Some people manage gestational diabetes with diet and exercise, while others need medication or insulin. It depends on how your body responds—everyone’s journey is a little different.
6. Can you ever eat sweets or carbs?
It’s not about cutting out all carbs or sweets. It’s about balance, portion control, and learning what works for your body. Sometimes a treat is totally fine—just with a bit more planning.
7. Does having gestational diabetes mean you’ll get diabetes later?
Having gestational diabetes does raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, but healthy habits and regular checkups can make a big difference.
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