Gestational diabetes mellitus (GD) is usually caused by pregnancy hormones from the placenta making it harder for your body to use insulin effectively (called insulin resistance). During pregnancy, your body needs more insulin than usual—sometimes 2–3x more. If your pancreas can't produce enough extra insulin to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range, blood sugar rises, and that's when you get a gestational diabetes diagnosis. It's not a character flaw and it's not proof you did anything wrong.
A HIgedi note before we start (hi, Julija here)
I'm not a medical professional. I'm a mama who's been through gestational diabetes too, and I share what I've learned alongside trusted medical resources from the American Diabetes Association and other reputable sources. Always follow your care team's advice for your specific pregnancy.
Let's make this way less mysterious.
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help your baby grow, but they also make your body less sensitive to insulin (insulin resistance), so insulin doesn’t work as effectively.
Here's what's happening in your body's cells:
Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose from your blood into your cells for energy.
In a healthy pregnancy, many bodies need 2–3x more insulin than usual to keep blood glucose levels normal.
If your body can't produce enough extra insulin, blood sugar builds up in your bloodstream.
When blood glucose levels stay elevated during pregnancy, that's gestational diabetes mellitus.
That's gestational diabetes in a nutshell: hormone levels + insulin resistance + your body doing its best.
This is the part I wish someone had said louder.
You can:
eat a balanced diet,
walk after dinner,
limit (or even avoid!) sweets,
do "everything right"…
…and still develop gestational diabetes.
Because gestational diabetes is not simply about willpower or "eating too much weight gain" or "too much glucose." It's mostly about how your placenta and genetics interact during this specific pregnancy—factors for gestational diabetes that are largely outside your control.
Julija's note
I know the shame spiral. I know the urge to replay every meal you've ever eaten like it's a courtroom drama. You don't have to do that here. 🫶
Risk factors are not "reasons to blame yourself." They're just patterns doctors see more often when screening for gestational diabetes.
You may have a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes if you:
had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
have a family history of diabetes (parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes)
have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
had prediabetes before you start pregnancy
are carrying twins or multiples
are older (risk increases with age)
have a higher pre-pregnancy weight (this is a data point, not a moral statement)
have certain ethnic backgrounds that statistically have higher risk (your provider may mention this during prenatal appointments)
have a history of high blood pressure or kidney diseases
And sometimes? There are no obvious risk factors. Many pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes and feel blindsided. You're not alone.
If your fasting blood glucose level is the one that makes you want to scream into a pillow… you're not alone.
Fasting blood sugar is heavily influenced by overnight hormone levels (including the ones that rise in the early morning hours). That's why:
you can eat a "perfect" dinner and still wake up to high blood sugar
stress and poor sleep can make fasting harder to manage
some mamas need insulin for fasting even when after-meal numbers look great
This is also why needing more insulin is not "failure." It can simply mean your placenta is being extra loud.
If fasting numbers are your biggest stress point right now, here's a gentle, practical guide with ideas you can try to lower your morning blood sugar levels.
Stress doesn't "cause" gestational diabetes mellitus in the simple, direct way people fear. But stress hormones (like cortisol) can raise blood sugar and make insulin resistance harder to manage.
So if you're stressed and your glucose levels are higher, it doesn't mean you caused gestational diabetes—it means you're human, pregnant, and carrying a lot.
No. Eating sugar doesn't magically create gestational diabetes.
That said, once you have gestational diabetes, some foods (including sugary foods and refined carbs) may spike blood glucose levels more easily—so your care team may recommend dietary changes like:
pairing carbs with protein, fat, and fiber
choosing higher-fiber carbs more often
adjusting portion sizes to keep blood glucose levels stable
But the diagnosis itself is not a punishment for what you ate. And preventing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies isn't about "never eating sugar again"—it's about balance and working with your provider on a treatment plan that fits your life.
If you were just diagnosed with gestational diabetes, here's a gentle "first steps" list:
Breathe. This is a lot. You're allowed to feel upset.
Ask your provider for your targets (fasting and 1- or 2-hour after meals blood glucose levels).
Understand your treatment plan. Whether it's dietary changes, monitoring, or insulin injections, your provider will guide you.
Start simple: build meals with protein + non-starchy veg + a carb you tolerate, aiming for a balanced diet.
Test, don't guess. Your blood test results and meter readings are information—not a grade.
Bring your questions to your next prenatal appointments (write them down now).
Get support. A community that gets it can change everything.
If you want, here's a guide to newly diagnosed mamas with all the GD basics and additional resources you might need.
Gestational diabetes mellitus is usually caused by pregnancy hormones and insulin resistance—not by you being "bad" at pregnancy or by your health choices.
You didn't fail. You're not alone. And you can absolutely have a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy with gestational diabetes—especially with the right support, a solid treatment plan, and a care team you trust.
1. What causes gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is usually caused by pregnancy hormones from the placenta increasing insulin resistance. If the body can't produce enough extra insulin to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range, gestational diabetes develops.
2. Can you get gestational diabetes if you're healthy and active?
Yes. Many healthy, active pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. Genetics, placental hormones, and risk factors play a major role—not your lifestyle choices.
3. Did I cause gestational diabetes by eating too many carbs?
No. Carbs can affect blood sugar once you have gestational diabetes, but they don't "cause" gestational diabetes on their own. Gestational diabetes is driven by insulin resistance and hormone levels, not diet alone.
4. Why is my fasting blood sugar high even when I eat well?
Fasting blood glucose levels are strongly influenced by overnight hormones and insulin resistance. Sleep, stress, and the placenta's hormone output can all affect your fasting number—even if you did everything "by the book."
5. Is gestational diabetes my fault?
No. Gestational diabetes mellitus is a medical condition driven largely by pregnancy hormones, insulin resistance, and genetic risk factors. It's not a moral failing, and it's not something you caused.
6. Will gestational diabetes go away after pregnancy?
For many people, blood glucose levels return to normal soon after giving birth. Your provider will usually recommend a glucose test in the postpartum period to confirm—often around 6–12 weeks after delivery. That said, having had gestational diabetes does increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes later, which is why ongoing screening (and supportive, realistic lifestyle habits) can really matter.
7. What's the difference between gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy due to pregnancy hormones and insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition. While gestational diabetes usually goes away after giving birth, some people do go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
8. Can I prevent gestational diabetes in my next pregnancy?
While you can't always prevent gestational diabetes (especially if you had it before), maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and staying active before your next pregnancy may help reduce your risk. Talk to your provider about screening earlier in your next pregnancy if you had gestational diabetes before.
Get a Free 20-Day Shopping List
Join 12K+ moms in the HIgedi community sharing real meals, blood sugar results, and judgment-free support.
