New WHO Guidelines: 1 in 6 Pregnancies Affected by Diabetes, What You Need To Do

Diabetes has been one of the major health concerns worldwide, while the prevalence of this disease continues to increase at a very alarming rate. According to reports, approximately 589 million adults worldwide, or about 1 in every 9 adults in the age bracket of 20 to 79 years, suffered from diabetes in 2025. What is even worse is the fact that pregnancy is increasingly being linked with diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 6 pregnancies today is affected by high blood sugar, which is very nearly 21 million women annually.

WHO also issued the world's first guidelines for the management of diabetes in pregnancy, launched on World Diabetes Day 2025. The guidelines include recommendations to protect both maternal and newborn health, including practical measures for health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to manage the condition better.

Why Diabetes in Pregnancy Is a Growing Threat

Diabetes results from either insufficient production of insulin or inefficient utilisation of it by the body, leading to an excess of glucose being circulated in the blood. While the swift rise in type 2 diabetes is caused by lifestyle modification and genetic predisposition, pregnancy has added another dimension of vulnerability. 

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Uncontrolled blood sugar during pregnancy can cause serious complications, whether due to pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes. These include: 

• Pre-eclampsia
• Stillbirth
• Excessively large babies increase the risk of birth injuries
• Premature delivery

The effects of this extend beyond childbirth itself; both mother and child have an increased lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions.

What the New WHO Guidelines Recommend

Among the new WHO recommendations in the newly published framework, 27 in all, flow from one core goal, i.e., high-quality, accessible care for every woman with diabetes in pregnancy. Here are the major takeaways:

1. Personalised Lifestyle Counseling

Every woman has different needs. The recommendations focus on individual counselling regarding:

• Diet and nutrition
• Physical activity
• Target blood glucose levels

Individual management ensures better glycemic control and health in pregnancy.

2. Optimal Monitoring

• Regular monitoring is very important, not only in clinics but also at home. WHO recommends:
• Routine blood glucose tests during pregnancy
• More support in teaching women to monitor how glucose levels independently

This continuous tracking helps prevent sudden spikes and complications.

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3. Individualised Treatment Plans

Treatment plans must be carefully tailored, depending on whether the woman has type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes. The guidelines outline:

• When insulin is required
• Safe medication options during pregnancy
• How to change between therapies

4. Multidisciplinary Care

Additional support is often required for women with existing diabetes. WHO recommends coordinated care involving:

• Obstetricians
• Endocrinologists
• Nutritionists
• Diabetes educators

This team-based approach improves both maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Bottomline

Diabetes has been one of the fastest-growing health challenges globally, affecting more than 800 million people across generation across the world. Therefore, its management is crucial, especially during pregnancy for the expectant mother and child. The best tools of protection for mother and baby in pregnancies affected by diabetes are early screening, continuous monitoring, and personalised care.