Researchers studied over 11,500 pregnancies to understand why women who use fertility treatments (like IVF) have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes—a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. They found that women using fertility treatments were nearly twice as likely to develop this condition compared to those who got pregnant naturally. The study discovered that women using fertility treatments had higher levels of certain substances in their blood (folate and triglycerides) that were also linked to gestational diabetes. These findings suggest doctors should watch more carefully for diabetes in women who used fertility treatments during pregnancy.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether women who use fertility treatments (like IVF) are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, and what blood markers might explain why
- Who participated: 11,563 pregnant women carrying single babies. About 2.3% used fertility treatments, and the rest got pregnant naturally. Researchers checked their blood work and health information during weeks 24-28 of pregnancy
- Key finding: Women who used fertility treatments had a 15% chance of developing gestational diabetes, compared to 8.4% in women who got pregnant naturally—nearly double the risk. Women using fertility treatments also had higher levels of folate and triglycerides in their blood, and these higher levels were linked to gestational diabetes
- What it means for you: If you’re using fertility treatments to get pregnant, you should be aware that your risk for gestational diabetes is higher. Talk to your doctor about extra screening and monitoring. This doesn’t mean you will definitely develop diabetes, but it’s important to watch for it and maintain healthy habits during pregnancy
The Research Details
This was an observational cohort study, which means researchers followed a large group of pregnant women and compared two groups: those who used fertility treatments and those who got pregnant naturally. They collected information about the women’s health, age, weight, and other factors. Between weeks 24-28 of pregnancy (the standard time to check for gestational diabetes), they tested all the women’s blood to measure gestational diabetes, folate levels, vitamin B12, and fat in the blood. They then compared the two groups to see if there were differences.
The researchers used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect the results, like age, weight, and whether the woman had been pregnant before. This helps them figure out if fertility treatments themselves were causing the higher diabetes risk, or if it was something else. They looked at the blood markers (folate and triglycerides) to see if these might explain why fertility treatment patients had more gestational diabetes.
This study design is important because it looks at real-world pregnancies rather than doing an experiment. It includes a very large number of women (over 11,000), which makes the results more reliable. By measuring blood markers at a specific time in pregnancy, researchers could see what was actually happening in women’s bodies. The study also tried to account for other reasons why gestational diabetes might be more common in the fertility treatment group, like age or weight, which helps prove that the fertility treatment itself matters
Strengths: This is a large study with over 11,000 participants, which makes the findings more trustworthy. The researchers measured blood markers at a standard time in pregnancy, and they adjusted for many other factors that could affect the results. Limitations: This study only shows a connection between fertility treatments and gestational diabetes—it doesn’t prove that fertility treatments cause it. The study measured blood markers late in pregnancy (weeks 24-28), so we don’t know if these levels were high earlier. Only 2.3% of the group used fertility treatments, which is a small percentage. The study didn’t look at different types of fertility treatments separately
What the Results Show
Among all 11,563 pregnant women studied, 8.4% developed gestational diabetes. However, in the group that used fertility treatments, 15% developed gestational diabetes—nearly double the rate. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.
When researchers adjusted for other factors that might affect diabetes risk (like age, weight, and previous pregnancies), fertility treatment was still independently linked to higher gestational diabetes risk. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.49, which means women using fertility treatments had about 49% higher odds of developing gestational diabetes compared to women who got pregnant naturally.
Within the fertility treatment group, certain women had even higher diabetes rates: women over 35 years old had a 23.2% rate, women with obesity had a 21.8% rate, and women who had been pregnant before had a 25% rate. This suggests that fertility treatment combined with these other factors creates even higher risk.
The study found that women in the fertility treatment group had significantly higher levels of folate in their blood (a B vitamin often given as a supplement). They also had higher levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). Interestingly, both higher folate and higher triglycerides were independently linked to gestational diabetes in the entire study group. Women with the highest folate levels had 2.21 times higher odds of gestational diabetes, and women with the highest triglyceride levels had 1.70 times higher odds. Vitamin B12 levels were not significantly different between the two groups
Previous research has suggested that women using fertility treatments might have higher gestational diabetes risk, but the reasons weren’t clear. This study adds important information by measuring specific blood markers (folate and triglycerides) that might explain the connection. The finding that both folate and triglycerides are linked to gestational diabetes is new and suggests these might be important factors to monitor. However, researchers note that most previous studies measured these markers late in pregnancy, so we still need earlier measurements to understand if these changes cause the diabetes or happen because of it
This study shows a connection but doesn’t prove that fertility treatments cause gestational diabetes. Blood markers were only measured once, late in pregnancy (weeks 24-28), so we don’t know if they were high earlier or what caused the increase. The study didn’t look at different types of fertility treatments separately or how the treatments were done. Only 2.3% of participants used fertility treatments, which is a small group. The study didn’t measure other important factors like diet, exercise, or family history of diabetes. Women who use fertility treatments might be different from other women in ways not measured in this study
The Bottom Line
If you’re planning to use fertility treatments or are already pregnant after fertility treatment, discuss gestational diabetes screening with your doctor. Make sure you get tested for gestational diabetes at the standard time (weeks 24-28 of pregnancy). Maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy if possible. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Stay physically active as approved by your doctor. These recommendations are based on solid evidence and apply to all pregnant women, especially those with higher risk
Women planning to use fertility treatments should be aware of this increased risk before getting pregnant. Women currently pregnant after fertility treatment should discuss extra monitoring with their doctor. Women over 35, women with obesity, or women who have been pregnant before and used fertility treatment should be especially vigilant. This research is also important for doctors and fertility specialists to help them counsel patients and plan appropriate monitoring. This doesn’t mean women shouldn’t use fertility treatments—just that they should be informed and monitored carefully
Gestational diabetes typically develops gradually during pregnancy. The standard screening happens at weeks 24-28 of pregnancy, which is when this study measured blood markers. If you use fertility treatment, you should plan for this screening and discuss with your doctor whether earlier testing might be appropriate for you. If gestational diabetes is detected, managing it throughout the rest of pregnancy is important for your health and your baby’s health
Want to Apply This Research?
- If using a pregnancy or health tracking app after fertility treatment, log weekly blood sugar readings (if your doctor recommends home monitoring), dietary intake focusing on carbohydrate quality, and physical activity minutes. Set a reminder for your gestational diabetes screening appointment at weeks 24-28
- Users who conceived through fertility treatment should use the app to: (1) Schedule and track their gestational diabetes screening appointment, (2) Log daily meals to monitor carbohydrate intake and overall nutrition, (3) Record weekly physical activity to maintain fitness during pregnancy, (4) Track weight gain to stay within recommended ranges, (5) Set reminders for prenatal vitamins and supplements as recommended by their doctor
- Create a pregnancy dashboard that flags users who used fertility treatment for enhanced monitoring. Track gestational diabetes screening completion. Monitor weight gain trajectory against recommended guidelines. Log dietary patterns and flag high-sugar or high-fat foods. Track physical activity consistency. Generate monthly reports comparing user’s metrics to healthy pregnancy benchmarks, with alerts for concerning patterns to discuss with healthcare provider
This research describes an association between fertility treatments and gestational diabetes risk but does not prove that fertility treatments cause gestational diabetes. Individual risk varies based on many factors. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant after fertility treatment, consult with your obstetrician or fertility specialist about your individual risk factors and appropriate screening. All pregnant women should receive standard gestational diabetes screening regardless of conception method. Do not make changes to your pregnancy care based on this article alone—always discuss with your healthcare provider first.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.