November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and in our practice, this topic comes up daily. Many patients are surprised to learn how common diabetes is during pregnancy. Some enter pregnancy already managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes; others are diagnosed with gestational diabetes partway through. No matter the path, we want to say this clearly: you can have a safe, and healthy pregnancy. And you do not have to navigate it alone.
Gestational Diabetes
This is diabetes diagnosed for the first time in pregnancy. It is not caused by eating too much sugar or “doing something wrong.” Hormones present during pregnancy naturally make the body more resistant to insulin, and for some women, that resistance is greater than their pancreas can compensate for. It often comes as a surprise, and it can feel overwhelming at first — that’s normal. We screen for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 to 28, so it is imperative to work with your provider so that this diagnosis can be ruled out or identified.
Pre-existing Diabetes
For patients who come into pregnancy with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the goals shift slightly. We aim for tighter glucose targets, use more frequent monitoring, and involve a care team (OB/GYN, endocrinology, nutrition) earlier on in the pregnancy. The work is steady, but it is absolutely doable with support.
Why Control Matters
Blood sugar levels influence both maternal health and fetal development. Stable glucose helps reduce risks during pregnancy and delivery as well as to support healthy growth for the baby. It also lowers the chance of diabetes for both mother and child later in life. It is estimated that about 50% of women who develop gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes later on in life if no action is undertaken. So we want to work closely with our patients to ultimately help optimize their health even outside of pregnancy.
How we can support you
-
This is not about perfection.
-
Small, consistent efforts make the biggest difference.
-
Food is not the enemy — but routine helps.
-
Movement does not have to look like exercise classes; even short walks count.
-
Check-ins and questions are welcome. Always.
This Month, and Beyond
During Diabetes Awareness Month, we want to highlight the strength we see in women navigating pregnancy with diabetes. They monitor, adjust, ask questions, track patterns, and keep showing up — for themselves and for their babies.
If you are newly diagnosed or preparing for pregnancy with diabetes, please know:
You are capable.
There is a plan.
And we will take this one step at a time.
If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant and have questions about diabetes or your health before conception, we encourage you to schedule a preconception counseling visit. It’s a chance to set a plan early, ask every question, and enter pregnancy with confidence and support.
Author
Dorothy Bestoyong, DO
Dorothy Bestoyong, DO, brings a wealth of experience to the team at Premier Obstetrics & Gynecology. Originally born in Manila, Philippines, Dr. Bestoyong moved to the Bay Area in California before eventually settling in Jacksonville, Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Florida.
Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Bestoyong went on to receive her osteopathic medicine degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, West Virginia. She completed her residency at UCF/HCA Orlando OBGYN at Osceola Regional Medical Center, where she served as the academic chief resident. Dr. Bestoyong has interests in all aspects of Women’s Health, especially general obstetrics and minimally invasive/robotic gynecological surgery. When she’s not at work, you can find her trying out local restaurants, playing tennis, working out (especially pilates), and spending time with her husband.
