Here’s a shocking stat: Up to 14% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are complicated by diabetes, and the number is climbing. If you’re not entirely sure what that means, don’t worry—you’re not alone. We’re diving into why this happens, what it means for both the mom and baby, and how new tech like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) might just be a game-changer.

The Diabetes Breakdown

Pregnancy-related diabetes comes in two forms:

  1. Pregestational diabetes: This includes people who already have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes before getting pregnant.
  2. Gestational diabetes (GDM): Diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy, but here’s the kicker: a bunch of these cases might actually be undiagnosed diabetes from before pregnancy.

Why Does This Matter?

If diabetes isn’t managed properly during pregnancy, things can get complicated—fast.

  • In the early stages: Poor blood sugar control can increase the risk of congenital malformations (aka, birth defects). Not fun.
  • Later on: Uncontrolled diabetes leads to a condition called macrosomia, where the baby grows too large, which can cause birth injuries or the need for a C-section. There’s also an increased risk of fetal death and newborn issues like low blood sugar, respiratory problems, and more.

And the drama doesn’t stop after birth. Babies exposed to high blood sugar levels in the womb could face long-term health risks like obesity, diabetes, and heart problems as they grow up.

So What’s Being Done About It?

Doctors typically keep an eye on blood sugar during pregnancy with self-monitoring (aka pricking your finger a bunch of times a day). But the new kid on the block, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), might make life a whole lot easier.

CGM is a device implanted under the skin that checks your glucose levels every 10 seconds, delivering nearly 300 readings per day. That’s a lot more data than the traditional 4-5 finger pricks per day! You can track it in real-time or have the data reviewed later by your doctor.

The Big Debate: To Treat or Not to Treat (Mild Cases)?

Here’s where things get a little controversial. We know that high blood sugar can cause problems, but the exact threshold at which treatment becomes necessary? Still a mystery. Some studies suggest treating mild cases of gestational diabetes can help, while others show mixed results.

But when it comes to more severe cases of diabetes during pregnancy, doctors agree: treat it, and you’ll reduce the risk of complications for both mom and baby.

Is CGM the Future?

Studies show CGM can be a game-changer for managing diabetes during pregnancy. It’s especially helpful for Type 1 diabetics, giving more detailed insights into blood sugar patterns, which can help avoid dangerous highs and lows.

Though the American Diabetes Association already recommends CGM for adults with Type 1 diabetes, there’s no official statement for pregnant women—yet. But as more research comes in, CGM could soon become a go-to tool for managing diabetes in pregnancy.

The Takeaway

The stakes are high when diabetes and pregnancy collide. The better blood sugar levels are managed, the better the outcomes for both mom and baby. While traditional monitoring works, CGM offers a more detailed, real-time picture that could help optimize care—especially in the most complicated cases.

As research continues, CGM could become a standard part of prenatal care, not just for diabetic pregnancies but potentially for all pregnancies, giving doctors and moms-to-be better tools to ensure healthy outcomes. Stay tuned—this tech could be a major win for moms and babies everywhere.

Sung JF, Taslimi MM, Faig JC. Continuous glucose monitoring in pregnancy: new frontiers in clinical applications and research. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2012 Nov 1;6(6):1478-85. doi: 10.1177/193229681200600629. PMID: 23294795; PMCID: PMC3570890.