Diabetes now affects about one in six pregnancies worldwide, and the risks stack up quickly when it goes unmanaged. On World Diabetes Day 2025, WHO released its first-ever global guidelines dedicated specifically to diabetes during pregnancy. This is a major news because until now, guidance existed separately for pregnancy and for diabetes, but never as one integrated standard. The goal is to protect the health of women and babies, especially in low and middle-income countries where the burden is highest and access to specialized care is still limited.
The guidelines arrive at a time when diabetes has become one of the fastest-growing health threats globally. With more than 800 million people living with diabetes, and rising rates among women of reproductive age, the need for clear, evidence-based care has only grown. The new WHO document outlines 27 recommendations covering screening, monitoring, treatment, lifestyle support and follow-up. It highlights how unmanaged diabetes in pregnancy increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, birth complications and long-term cardiometabolic disease for both mother and child.
“These guidelines are grounded in the realities of women’s lives and health needs, as they provide clear, evidence-based strategies to deliver high-quality care for every woman, everywhere.”” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Key highlights
Strong focus on individualized care such as diet, physical activity and blood glucose targets
Regular monitoring at home and during clinic visits
Clear medication pathways for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes
Multidisciplinary support for women with pre-existing diabetes
Integration of diabetes services into routine antenatal care
The timing aligns with this year’s Diabetes Day theme – “Diabetes across life stages”, which pushes for a life-course approach to prevention, treatment and long-term management. The message is everyone living with diabetes should have access to care that respects their dignity, supports self-management and removes barriers to treatment. As prevalence continues to rise, especially in countries where health system resources are already stretched, adopting these standards could play a crucial role in improving maternal outcomes and preventing long-term complications across generations.
WHO’s new framework sets a bigger global bar for maternal health. It moves diabetes-in-pregnancy care from fragmented guidance to a unified roadmap that countries can adopt, adapt and scale. The real test now will be ensuring that women everywhere can actually access the services, medicines and support that the guidelines call for.
