The World Health Organization (WHO) during November 2025 released its first global guidelines for the management of diabetes during pregnancy, a condition affecting about one in six pregnancies – or 21 million women annually. The new recommendations provide a critical roadmap to tackle this growing health challenge and prevent serious complications for both women and their children. Diabetes in pregnancy Diabetes in pregnancy can be pre-existing (type 1 or type 2, also referred to as pre-gestational diabetes) or hyperglycaemia can be first detected during pregnancy, which is classified as either diabetes in pregnancy or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Women with a history of GDM have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes after childbirth. The risks increase throughout the life span, with a cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes of up to 70 percent 28 years after a pregnancy complicated by GDM. Diabetes in pregnancy, if not managed effectively, significantly increases the risk of life-threatening conditions such as pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and birth injuries. It also has long-term consequences, elevating the lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases for both mother and child. Recommendations of the guidelines The guidelines include 27 key recommendations, emphasizing: Individualized care: Advice on diet, physical activity, and blood sugar targets. Optimal monitoring: All women with diabetes should have their blood glucose checked regularly, both during clinic visits and at home. Personalized treatment: Specific medication regimens for type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes when pharmacotherapy is required. Specialized support: Multidisciplinary care for women with pre-existing diabetes. The 27 recommendations – four on core practices in caring for women with diabetes during pregnancy; six on glucose monitoring; two on pharmacological treatment for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, four on pharmacological treatment for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes and two on pharmacological treatment for women with GDM; and nine on additional monitoring and assessments. The recommendations are intended for use in addition to routine antenatal care. The release of these guidelines marks a pivotal step in strengthening maternal health and combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). They underscore the importance of integrating diabetes care into routine antenatal services and ensuring equitable access to essential medicines and technologies. To read the guidelines, click here.