If you're diagnosed with GDM, your first order of business will be meeting with a certified diabetes educator (CDE) and a registered dietitian (RD) to develop an eating and treatment plan. A significant number of RDs are also CDEs; look for a specialist with both qualifications to get the best of both worlds.

In addition to teaching you about blood glucose testing and other basics of managing your gestational diabetes, these professionals can help you with strategies for dealing with morning sickness and other unique challenges of pregnancy.

Your health care provider can refer you to both a CDE and an RD, and the costs of consultation with both are covered by most health care insurers (although you should check with your specific carrier to find out more about your coverage). If your ob-gyn doesn't offer these essential services within her practice, be sure to ask. You should find information about choosing a health care team that's right for you.