Abstract Recent research has highlighted the significance of succinate and its receptor in gestational diabetes (GDM) pathogenesis. However, a clear interconnection between placenta metabolism, succinate levels, SUCNR1 signalling and pregnancy pathologies remains elusive. Here, we set out to investigate the potential role of succinate on labour and placental mechanisms by combining clinical and functional experimental data at the same time as exploring the specific SUCNR1‐mediated effects of succinate on placenta vascularization, addressing its specific agonist actions. According to our data, succinate levels vary throughout pregnancy and postpartum, with a natural increase during the peripartum period. We also show that SUCNR1 activation in the umbilical cord endothelium promotes angiogenesis under normal conditions. However, in GDM, excessive succinate and impaired SUCNR1 function may weaken this angiogenic response. In conclusion, the present study underlines succinate as an emerging signalling molecule in the placenta, regulating labour and placental processes. The reduced sensitivity of the succinate/SUCNR1 pathway in the GDM environment may serve as a protective physiological mechanism or could have a pathogenic effect. image Key points Succinate levels increase at delivery in maternal and fetal circulation. Gestational diabetes (GDM) induces succinate accumulation and SUCNR1 downregulation in umbilical cords. GDM compromises angiogenic gene profile modulation by SUCNR1 in umbilical cord endothelium. SUCNR1 activation stimulates sprouting and tube‐forming capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells from healthy, but not GDM pregnancies.