162: Gestational Diabetes 101: Tests, Risks, and What Changes in Your Pregnancy

This episode breaks down gestational diabetes (new insulin resistance in pregnancy—not type 1 or 2), how insulin and glucose work, and why pregnancy naturally raises insulin resistance (but sometimes the pancreas can’t keep up). It covers who’s at higher risk (higher BMI, inactivity, prior GDM, certain ethnic groups, prior 9+ lb baby, PCOS, hypertension, heart disease) and how screening works at 24–28 weeks: the non-fasting 1-hour 50g test, followed by a fasting 3-hour 100g test if you “fail” (two elevated values = diagnosis). It explains why the test is a glucose “stress test,” alternatives like at-home fingersticks or CGM, and drink options (Glucola, Fresh Test, jelly beans). Finally, it outlines risks (C-section, shoulder dystocia, preeclampsia, baby hypoglycemia) and care differences between diet-controlled (deliver by 40+6) vs medication-controlled (NSTs/ultrasounds ~32 weeks, deliver ~39).

00:00 Gestational Diabetes Overview

00:52 How Insulin Works

02:31 Risk Factors Explained

03:20 Glucose Test Basics

05:43 One Hour vs Three Hour

07:06 At Home Monitoring Options

09:42 Drink Alternatives

13:52 Why It Matters Risks

18:46 How Care Changes

21:27 Final Recap Next Steps

24:24 Closing Resources

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