Pathological insulin resistance (IR) is closely related to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with GDM. Increasing studies have investigated the efficacy of IR indices, such as quantitative insulin sensitivity index, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, triglyceride-glucose index and sex hormone-binding globulin, in predicting GDM and related complications in recent years. This article reviews the research progress in the above topics.