How common is gestational diabetes?

Medically reviewed by Lindsey HudsonAPRN, NP-C
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Written by Jennifer Larson
Contributor
Updated Jan 8, 2026  •  Published Jan 8, 2026
Datos Verificados

Gestational diabetes affects about 6% to 9% of pregnant women, making it more common than many people realize. This estimate, reported by the CDC, reflects how frequently hormonal changes during pregnancy interfere with the body’s ability to use insulin effectively, even in women without prior diabetes.


Medical disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your endocrinologist or healthcare provider before making changes to your medication regimen.

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Medically reviewed by Lindsey HudsonAPRN, NP-C
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Lindsey Hudson, MSN, APRN, NP-C, CDCES, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2006 at Southern Nazarene University and her Masters of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner in 2012 at Frontier Nursing University. Currently, she provides in-home and telehealth Medicaid and Medicare annual health risk assessments throughout the Charleston, South Carolina, area as well as telehealth sick visits and VA disability exams. Her other work experience includes working with Native American health clinics, specifically in diabetes education and disease prevention, CVS Minute Clinic, wellness clinics, consulting with law firms on medical malpractices cases, and inpatient and outpatient endocrinology. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and is a former Board Member and Treasurer of the Oklahoma Inter-Tribal Diabetes Coalition. She has also initiated successful efforts to obtain grants and has experience in developing and maintaining accreditation standards. She lives with her husband and two children in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. She enjoys spending time with her family, time at the beach, reading books, and cooking healthy meals.

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Written by Jennifer Larson
Contributor

Jennifer Larson is a freelance writer who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She has a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. She's a member of the Association of Healthcare Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists. When she's not writing, Jennifer enjoys reading, running, dancing, watching baseball, and chauffeuring her two young sons to all their extracurricular activities.

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