Gestational diabetes affects roughly 1 in 6 pregnancies worldwide, making it one of the most common complications of pregnancy. In the United States, about 8% of pregnant people receive the diagnosis, and that number has been climbing steadily. A Northwestern Medicine analysis of more than 12 million U.S. births found that gestational diabetes rates shot up 36% between 2016 and 2024, rising from 58 to 79 cases per every 1,000 births.
U.S. Rates Are Rising Fast
In 2016, 6% of mothers giving birth in the U.S. had gestational diabetes. By 2021, that figure had already reached 8.3%, and the upward trend has continued every year since. The increase has occurred across every racial and ethnic group, not just in populations traditionally considered high risk.
The driving forces behind this surge are not mysterious. Diets have gotten less healthful, physical activity has declined, and obesity rates among young adults have risen. Because these lifestyle patterns directly affect how the body processes blood sugar, they set the stage for blood sugar problems during pregnancy, when hormonal shifts already make it harder for insulin to do its job.
Who Is Most at Risk
Several factors raise the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, and they often overlap. The most significant include being overweight before pregnancy, being over 35, having a family history of type 2 diabetes, and having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
Body weight before pregnancy plays a particularly large role. Research on Asian and Pacific Islander populations in California illustrates this clearly: among Indian, Filipino, and Vietnamese women with a lower pre-pregnancy weight, 10% to 13% developed gestational diabetes. Among those in the same ethnic groups who started pregnancy at a higher weight, the rate jumped to 22%. That same pattern held across other groups, with rates roughly doubling once pre-pregnancy weight crossed a threshold.
Age matters too. Rates are lowest among women in their early twenties and climb with each five-year bracket. Women over 35 face a noticeably higher risk than those under 25, which is one reason the overall rate has risen as more people delay pregnancy.
Racial and Ethnic Differences
Gestational diabetes does not affect all populations equally. While much of the data on racial disparities focuses on what happens after a gestational diabetes diagnosis, the differences are striking. Within eight years of having gestational diabetes, roughly 1 in 5 Black patients, 1 in 6 South or Southeast Asian patients, and 1 in 7 Hispanic patients go on to develop type 2 diabetes. For non-Hispanic white patients, that figure is about 1 in 20.
These gaps reflect a combination of genetic predisposition, differences in access to postpartum follow-up care, and social determinants like food access and neighborhood walkability. The disparities underscore that gestational diabetes is not just a temporary pregnancy issue. For some groups, it signals a much higher long-term metabolic risk.
When and How Screening Happens
Most pregnant people are screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. The test typically involves drinking a sugary solution and having blood drawn afterward to see how your body handles the sugar load. If the initial screen comes back elevated, a longer follow-up test confirms the diagnosis.
If you have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as obesity, a family history of diabetes, or a history of delivering a large baby, your provider may screen you earlier in pregnancy. However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force notes that there isn’t yet enough evidence to confirm that early screening improves outcomes for people without symptoms. In practice, many providers still opt for early testing when the risk profile warrants it, using clinical judgment to fill the gap.
What Gestational Diabetes Means for Your Pregnancy
A gestational diabetes diagnosis does not mean your pregnancy is destined for complications, but it does require attention. Unmanaged high blood sugar during pregnancy increases the chance of having a larger-than-average baby, which can complicate delivery. It also raises the risk of preeclampsia and of your baby having low blood sugar right after birth.
Most people manage gestational diabetes through dietary changes and regular physical activity. Monitoring blood sugar at home becomes part of the daily routine, typically involving finger-stick checks a few times a day. For some, these lifestyle adjustments aren’t enough to keep blood sugar in range, and medication becomes necessary. The condition almost always resolves after delivery, but it leaves a lasting signal: having gestational diabetes roughly doubles your lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with the highest risk falling in the first five to eight years postpartum.
The Bigger Picture
Gestational diabetes is no longer a relatively uncommon pregnancy complication. With nearly 8 out of every 100 U.S. pregnancies now affected, and global rates sitting at about 1 in 6, it has become a routine part of prenatal care. The steady climb in rates mirrors broader trends in metabolic health among younger adults, meaning the numbers are unlikely to plateau on their own. Maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy, staying physically active, and eating a balanced diet remain the most effective ways to lower your personal risk.