If you've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you might be feeling scared or wondering what you did wrong. Take a deep breath: it is not your fault.
In this episode of The Diabetes Podcast®, Amber (RD/LD, CDCES) and Richie break down the incredible physiology of pregnancy. We explain why your body actually creates insulin resistance on purpose to feed your growing baby, and why sometimes, the pancreas just can't keep up with the massive new workload. We cover evidence-based standards of care for managing blood sugar during pregnancy, the truth about large babies (macrosomia), and how this diagnosis is a window into your long-term metabolic health.
Whether you are currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or had gestational diabetes years ago, this episode will replace blame with understanding and give you actionable steps to protect your health.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: The Heartbreak of Gestational Diabetes
04:14 - Replacing Blame with Physiology
08:26 - The Miracle of Pregnancy
10:44 - Why Pregnancy Creates Insulin Resistance On Purpose
14:49 - How Glucose Reaches Your Baby
17:00 - The "Backpack Analogy" for Your Pancreas
23:25 - Why Some Develop Gestational Diabetes
24:33 - Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
28:24 - How High Blood Sugar Affects the Baby
32:51 - Testing Fasting Insulin Before Pregnancy
38:00 - The Long-Term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
40:28 - Evidence-Based Action Steps
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The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not replace a one-on-one relationship with your physician or qualified healthcare professional. Always talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or care team before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, exercise plan, or nutrition plan—especially if you have diabetes, prediabetes, heart, liver, or kidney conditions, or take prescription drugs like metformin or insulin.
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