Understanding & Managing Prediabetes
Learn the practical steps to reverse prediabetes and protect your long-term health after pregnancy.
Read Article →Gestational diabetes is a type of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy, requiring specialized care to ensure the health of both mother and baby. At UCF Health, Dr. Ye Wint Kyaw provides expert endocrine management in Orlando, FL, specializing in personalized glucose targets and coordinated care with your OB/GYN.
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Medically Reviewed by Ye Wint Kyaw, MD
Board-Eligible Endocrinologist, UCF Health · March 2026
UCF Health · Endocrinology · Orlando, FL
Gestational Diabetes & Diabetes in Pregnancy Specialist in Orlando, FL
Expert endocrine care for gestational diabetes, Type 1, and Type 2 diabetes during pregnancy — coordinated directly with your OB.
You Just Got Some Unexpected News. Here's What It Means — and What Happens Next.
A gestational diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming. In a moment, a routine glucose test turned your pregnancy into something that feels complicated, risky, and uncertain. You're wondering what this means for your baby, whether you'll need insulin, and whether you did something wrong.
✨ You didn't. And with the right care, you and your baby can have a healthy pregnancy.
At UCF Health, Dr. Ye Wint Kyaw specializes in exactly this — supporting women through gestational diabetes, pre-existing diabetes, and complex blood sugar management during pregnancy. His job is to work alongside your OB, keep your blood sugar in a healthy range, and make sure you feel informed, supported, and confident throughout your pregnancy.
Comprehensive Diabetes Care Throughout Pregnancy
Dr. Kyaw provides specialized endocrine care for women at every stage of pregnancy and beyond — from a new gestational diabetes diagnosis to complex pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnancy hormones affect insulin function. For a deeper look at the pathology, you can review this clinical overview of GDM. Dr. Kyaw sets personalized targets and coordinates directly with your OB.
Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy
Pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes requires an even higher level of care. Insulin needs shift dramatically as pregnancy progresses, and tight control is critical from preconception through delivery and postpartum. Dr. Kyaw has deep experience managing insulin-dependent diabetes through the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
Type 2 Diabetes in Pregnancy
Management of Type 2 diabetes during pregnancy differs significantly from standard care. Certain oral medications are not recommended, insulin protocols change, and monitoring is more intensive. Dr. Kyaw provides individualized care plans specific to each trimester.
Pre-existing Diabetes: Pregnancy Planning
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and are planning to become pregnant, a preconception consultation with Dr. Kyaw can significantly improve your outcomes. Optimizing HbA1c before conception reduces the risk of birth defects and complications.
Postpartum Diabetes Follow-Up
Your care doesn't end when your baby is born. Up to one-third of women with GDM have persistent glucose abnormalities after delivery, and the lifetime risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is significantly elevated. Dr. Kyaw provides postpartum follow-up and long-term screening planning so your health never falls through the cracks.
Why It Matters
Why Your OB Refers to an Endocrinologist for Diabetes in Pregnancy
Your obstetrician is an expert in pregnancy. An endocrinologist is an expert in hormones and blood sugar. When those two things intersect — as they do with gestational diabetes and pre-existing diabetes — the best outcomes come from both specialists working together.
Blood sugar targets in pregnancy are tighter than at any other time in life.
Managing them requires specialized training, frequent dosage adjustments, and real-time monitoring expertise. Obstetricians manage the full picture of your pregnancy. Endocrinologists like Dr. Kyaw focus exclusively on optimizing your blood sugar — a moving target that changes week by week as pregnancy hormones shift, your baby grows, and delivery approaches.
Precision is key to a healthy pregnancy. We utilize the latest technology, including Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM), to provide real-time data and reduce the need for frequent finger sticks.
This is Dr. Kyaw's specialty — and it's why OB physicians throughout the Orlando area refer their highest-need patients to UCF Health for endocrine co-management.
Your Specialist
Meet Dr. Ye Wint Kyaw, Endocrinologist
Ye Wint Kyaw, MD
Board-Eligible Endocrinologist · UCF Health
🎓 Chief Fellow — East Carolina University
⏱ 10+ Years Clinical Experience
🩺 Diabetes in Pregnancy Specialist
Dr. Kyaw's approach to pregnancy diabetes care is built on three principles: precision, collaboration, and compassion. He sets individualized blood sugar targets for each patient — not one-size-fits-all guidelines — and adjusts medications and monitoring protocols in real time as pregnancy progresses.
He works directly with your obstetric team to ensure your care is fully coordinated from your first appointment through postpartum follow-up. His patients describe him as a specialist who takes time to explain, answers the hard questions without judgment, and makes the complexity of diabetes management feel manageable.
The Process
What to Expect: Your Care Journey with Dr. Kyaw
Many patients aren't sure what seeing an endocrinologist involves, especially during pregnancy. Here's how it typically works:
Referral or Self-Referral
Most patients come through an OB referral after a gestational diabetes diagnosis. You can also self-refer if you have diabetes and are planning a pregnancy, or if you'd like a second opinion on your current management.
Initial Consultation
Dr. Kyaw will review your complete medical history, current glucose readings, medications, and pregnancy timeline. He will establish personalized blood sugar targets specific to your trimester and answer every question you have — not rushing through a checklist.
Ongoing Monitoring & Adjustments
Blood sugar needs change significantly — sometimes week by week. Dr. Kyaw uses real-time monitoring data, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) where appropriate, to make adjustments before problems develop. You'll have direct access to the team when you have concerns.
Coordinated Birth Planning
As your delivery approaches, Dr. Kyaw coordinates with your OB to ensure your blood sugar management plan is in place for labor and delivery — including insulin protocols, target glucose ranges, and newborn monitoring plans.
Postpartum Care
Dr. Kyaw provides postpartum follow-up to confirm glucose levels have normalized, screen for persistent or new-onset diabetes, and create a long-term prevention plan. Women with a history of GDM benefit significantly from ongoing screening and lifestyle support.
Honest Answers
The Questions Every Patient Asks — Answered Honestly
You probably have fears you haven't said out loud yet. Most patients do. Here are the ones we hear most often: with clear, honest answers.
"Did I cause my gestational diabetes?"
No. Gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy hormones that interfere with how insulin works, not by anything you did or didn't do. It can develop in women who eat well, exercise regularly, and have no family history of diabetes. Feeling guilty is understandable, but it isn't warranted. What matters now is how you manage it, and you have excellent support to do exactly that.
"Will my baby be okay?"
When blood sugar is well-managed, most women with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The risks, including larger birth weight, low newborn blood sugar, and NICU care, are significantly reduced with proper monitoring and treatment. That's exactly what coordinated endocrine care is designed to achieve.
"Do I have to take insulin? Is it safe?"
Not everyone with gestational diabetes needs insulin. Many women manage blood sugar effectively with dietary changes and exercise. When insulin is needed, it is the safest and most effective option available during pregnancy: It does not cross the placenta and does not affect your baby directly. Dr. Kyaw will explain clearly whether insulin is necessary in your case.
"Will I have diabetes for the rest of my life?"
For most women, gestational diabetes resolves after delivery. However, it does indicate an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life, which is exactly why postpartum follow-up and screening matters. With the right lifestyle support and monitoring, many women significantly reduce or prevent that long-term risk.
"What if my blood sugar spikes unexpectedly?"
This happens, and it doesn't mean you've failed. Blood sugar in pregnancy is genuinely difficult to control because it responds to factors beyond diet, including hormonal shifts, sleep, stress, and activity levels. The goal of ongoing monitoring and real-time adjustments is to respond quickly when levels shift, not to expect perfection.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: Diabetes in Pregnancy
What is gestational diabetes, and how is it diagnosed?
Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. According to the CDC’s Gestational Diabetes guidelines, it is typically diagnosed through a glucose tolerance test between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.
What are the blood sugar targets during pregnancy?
Blood sugar targets in pregnancy are stricter than at other times. We follow the Endocrine Society’s Guidelines to set individualized targets, typically aiming for fasting levels below 95 mg/dL and post-meal levels below 140 mg/dL.
How does UCF Health meet global standards of care?
Our practice stays current with the latest 2026 management standards, referencing the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to provide world-class endocrine care locally in Orlando.
Can I manage gestational diabetes with diet alone?
Yes, many women manage gestational diabetes through dietary adjustments and physical activity. However, if glucose levels remain high, Dr. Kyaw may prescribe safe medications or insulin to protect the health of the baby.
When should I see an endocrinologist instead of just my OB?
You should see an endocrinologist if your blood sugar is difficult to control with diet, if you have pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or if you require insulin titration during your pregnancy.
How does gestational diabetes affect my baby?
Well-managed blood sugar significantly reduces risks. If left untreated, gestational diabetes increases the risk of high birth weight (macrosomia), low newborn blood sugar, and potential NICU admission.
Is it safe to use continuous glucose monitors (CGM) during pregnancy?
Continuous glucose monitors are considered safe and are increasingly used during pregnancy to provide real-time data, helping patients achieve tighter control with fewer finger sticks.
Does gestational diabetes go away after I give birth?
For most women, blood sugar returns to normal after delivery. However, a history of GDM increases the lifetime risk of Type 2 diabetes, making postpartum follow-up and long-term screening essential.
How often will I need to see Dr. Kyaw during my pregnancy?
Visit frequency varies by patient. Women on insulin or with pre-existing diabetes typically visit every 2 to 4 weeks, while diet-controlled patients may require less frequent appointments.
Does UCF Health accept my insurance?
UCF Health accepts a wide range of insurance plans. To confirm your specific coverage, please call our office at (407) 266-3627 before your first appointment.
Referring Physicians: Endocrine Co-Management for Your Patients
Dr. Ye Wint Kyaw welcomes OB/GYN, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and family medicine referrals for patients requiring endocrine co-management during pregnancy. He provides timely consultations, ongoing medication adjustments, and direct communication with your office throughout your patient's pregnancy and postpartum period.
Common referral indications include:
- ✔ Newly diagnosed gestational diabetes with suboptimal diet response
- ✔ Patients requiring insulin initiation or titration
- ✔ Pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes entering or planning pregnancy
- ✔ Complex management cases requiring specialized monitoring
Life After Pregnancy
Postpartum Care & Your Long-Term Health
The birth of your baby is a milestone, but it isn’t the end of your endocrine care. For many women, blood sugar levels return to normal immediately after delivery; however, the hormonal shifts of pregnancy can leave a lasting impact on your metabolic health.
The Postpartum Check
We recommend a follow-up glucose tolerance test between 6 and 12 weeks after delivery. This confirms that gestational diabetes has resolved and helps us identify any persistent issues early.
Managing Future Risks
A history of gestational diabetes is one of the strongest predictors for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Dr. Kyaw works with patients to create a personalized prevention plan, which may include following our practical steps to reverse prediabetes and scheduling regular screenings.
Evidence-Based Guidance
Our protocols follow the ADA 2026 Standards of Care, which emphasize the importance of lifelong monitoring and lifestyle support for women who experienced diabetes during pregnancy.
By staying connected with your specialist, you aren't just managing a pregnancy complication—you’re investing in your long-term vitality for years to come.
Where to Find UsBook an Appointment with Dr. Kyaw in Orlando
Two convenient locations serve the greater Orlando area, including Lake Nona and the UCF area.
East Orlando
3400 Quadrangle Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817
Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lake Nona / Tavistock
9975 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ready to Get the Specialist Support You Deserve?
Whether you've just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or you're planning a pregnancy with pre-existing diabetes, Dr. Kyaw's practice is designed for you. One conversation can change everything.
Accepting new patients · Most insurance plans accepted · East Orlando & Lake Nona
Medical content on this page is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Blood sugar targets and treatment recommendations are individualized — consult Dr. Kyaw or your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. UCF Health Faculty Physician Practice · Orlando, FL ·