Empowering Women with Diabetes: Supporting Moms Through Pregnancy and Postpartum
Jul 14, 2026, 12:51 PM
By Mara Fiorio, DCN RD LD BC-ADM CDCES
DC WIC Dietetic Internship Coordinator, DC Health
As a mom of two, I’ve experienced firsthand how heavy the mental load can be during pregnancy and postpartum. You’re managing sleep deprivation, feeding schedules, appointments, and trying to keep yourself afloat. Now layer diabetes on top of that— glucose levels, insulin timing, carb counting, technology, and constant decision-making. That’s a lot.
Let’s look at the numbers. Gestational diabetes affects about 5-9% of pregnancies, or 200,000 to 480,000 pregnancies annually in the U.S., and rates are only increasing.¹ Women with gestational diabetes also have up to a 50% risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.² On top of that, women with diabetes are more likely to experience depression, especially in the postpartum period.3
And that’s just what we can measure. What these numbers don’t capture is what it actually feels like to manage diabetes during this time. As a health care professional, one of the biggest challenges I see is the mental load. Diabetes unfortunately is not just a checklist, it’s constant decisions layered into an already overwhelming season of life. It’s remembering to bolus while holding a baby, managing lows on no sleep, and trying to prioritize your own nutrition while caring for someone else 24/7.
As diabetes care and education specialists, we don’t need to have diabetes to support women well, but we do need to understand what they’re carrying. This is where shifting from a mindset of “compliance” to “capacity” matters. What does this person realistically have the bandwidth for right now?
During pregnancy, women often need simplification. Prioritizing what’s most important, providing clear and flexible plans, and normalizing the emotional side of diabetes management can make a huge difference. Many women carry a lot of fear and guilt around blood sugars during this time, and how we respond matters.
Postpartum we have a real opportunity as providers of care, but oftentimes this is where support drops off. Clinically, the focus shifts away, but in real life, things get harder. Sleep is disrupted, hormones are changing, routines are unpredictable, and follow-up care is often inconsistent. This is a critical window for long-term health, especially given the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes.¹
So, what can we do ?
- Make things simpler, not more complicated. There’s already a lot to think about. If we can cut down the number of decisions they have to make in a day, that’s a win.
- Be realistic about what this season looks like. This might look like talking through how to navigate a baby shower they want to enjoy without fear around food or blood glucose levels. Meet them where they are.
- Ask questions that actually get to the root of things. Instead of assuming they are having difficulty following a plan, consider asking, “what part of this feels the most overwhelming lately?” or “what feels doable this week?”. You may be surprised at their answers!
- Watch how we say things. “You should” doesn’t land well when someone is already overwhelmed. A small shift in wording can make a big difference. Instead of “You should be exercising more” try “You already have a lot on your plate right now. Is there any kind of movement that actually sounds realistic or enjoyable these days?”
- Don’t disappear after delivery. Postpartum things can feel chaotic. A quick check-in goes a long way.
At the end of the day, success in this season doesn’t look like perfect numbers. It looks like a mom who feels supported, has a plan she can realistically follow, and knows she’s not doing this alone. Because managing diabetes is hard enough, doing it while raising a newborn shouldn’t feel impossible.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gestational Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/gestational-diabetes.html
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes Statistics. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/diabetes-statistics
- Rath K, Mv S. Association Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Maternal Depression: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2025 Jun 27;17(6):e86886. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86886. PMID: 40726880; PMCID: PMC12301579.