World Diabetes Day · Women & GDM
1 in 6 Indian pregnancies has gestational diabetes. Most are caught too late. We make the screen the default.
GDM is undercaught in India — most antenatal clinics test once or not at all, and the post-delivery follow-up that decides whether GDM becomes lifelong type 2 diabetes almost never happens. A SHELY user with a single screening + a 6-week postnatal recheck + an annual reminder is materially less likely to convert to type 2 diabetes. This week we make all three the default.
What we ship for women
GDM screen reminder
Auto-fires at 24–28 weeks of pregnancy in Care; one-tap path to the standard OGTT booking with verified labs.
GDM food + movement program
A 12-week Indian-recipe-focused plan for women who screen positive — low-glycaemic regional cooking + safe movement protocols.
Post-GDM lifelong tracker
After delivery: 6-week recheck reminder, then an annual diabetes screen reminder. Pinned in Care for life.
Women-lifecycle endocrinologists
Verified directory of clinicians who see women across pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause (when insulin resistance climbs again).
The week
- Nov 10Open
GDM screen reminder pushed to all currently-pregnant Care users at 20+ weeks.
- Nov 12Program
12-week diet + movement programme goes live in Care.
- Nov 14WDD
Doodle takeover. Sakhi takeover by an endocrinologist + obstetrician.
- Nov 16Close
Sakhi AMA — diabetes-in-women across the lifecycle. Top 30 questions answered.
Common questions
What is gestational diabetes (GDM)?
High blood sugar that first appears during pregnancy, usually in the second half. Pregnancy hormones increase insulin resistance; some women's pancreas can't keep up. Treatable through diet, movement, and (for some) insulin. Usually resolves after birth — but raises lifetime type-2 risk.
Who is at risk?
Anyone pregnant can develop GDM, but risk is higher with family history of diabetes, prior GDM, PCOS, BMI in obese range, age 30+, or South Asian ethnicity. The standard advice in India is to screen every pregnant woman — talk to your obstetrician.
What test is used?
The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) — usually at 24–28 weeks. Fasting blood draw, drink 75 g glucose, repeat draws at 1 and 2 hours. The DIPSI test (non-fasting) is also widely used in India. Both are accurate when done correctly.
What can I eat if I have GDM?
Smaller, more frequent meals; pair carbohydrates with protein and fat; choose low-glycaemic options (millets, dals, vegetables, whole fruits in moderation). The 12-week Care programme is built around regional Indian recipes that fit GDM targets without being bland.
Will the baby be okay?
With good blood-sugar control, the great majority of GDM pregnancies have healthy outcomes. Uncontrolled GDM raises risks (large baby, low blood sugar at birth, jaundice). Stick with your obstetrician's plan and stay close to the programme — outcomes follow.
GDM was diagnosed at 28 weeks. The Indian-recipe meal plan in Care saved me — I ate well, my numbers stayed in range, and my baby was born 3.1 kg, healthy. I am back on the annual reminder track for life.
Keep going
This campaign is one nudge. Here's where it leads on SHELY.
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