What does the course cover?
The course is in 7 sessions, plus a short introductory session. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What goes on in the body to cause a woman to develop Gestational Diabetes?
- What are the causes? What is the chance of developing it? How is it diagnosed?
- What are possible negative outcomes of poorly controlled blood glucose levels?
- How can diet and lifestyle help?
- What medications might be prescribed?
- How are blood glucose levels monitored?
- How can we lighten the emotional burden of a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes? We’ll be addressing the 7 commonly asked questions.
PLUS:
A summary of each session with links to any relevant studies or resources.
An information gathering sheet so that you can create a resource which will help you signpost your clients to local services and guidelines.
You are also invited to join the Gestational Diabetes for Birth Workers Facebook Group to share your experiences, knowledge, guidelines and resources with other birth workers around the world.
‘I worked alongside Annabel, supporting women with Gestational Diabetes. She was highly skilled at educating our women and guiding them towards informed decisions about changes to their diet and lifestyle, as well as teaching them to monitor and interpret their blood glucose levels. Her approach was always warm and non-judgmental and based on both scientific knowledge and a deep understanding of the women’s experience of a diagnosis with Gestational Diabetes. We made a great team and had a lot of laughs along the way.’
Mindy, Diabetes Specialist Nurse and Midwife
What is the price of the course?
88€
What is the teaching style?
The sessions last from 15 to 25 minutes (the dietary session is a little longer at 35 minutes). I’ve done my best to keep the tone light with plenty of graphics and clear explanations, to make it easy to watch or just listen to and come back to the slides later.
The downloadable summaries mean that you don’t need to take pages of notes or jot down references. It suits everyone’s learning styles.
What prompted me to develop this course?
Firstly, the pleasure I derived from supporting pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes as part of a multidisciplinary team. I am a Registered Dietitian and I have the knowledge to take an evidence-based approach and the experience to know that no-one knows their body better than a pregnant woman and no-one is more motivated to make changes than a pregnant woman. They just need to be well-informed.
Secondly, an awareness that care for women with this diagnosis varies enormously worldwide. This means that women may lack the information to make informed decisions about their care and struggle to find the care they need.
Thirdly, a concern that with the increasing health inequalities resulting from the current pandemic, access to care has diminished for many. No doubt you’re experiencing this on a daily basis. Sadly, cases of Gestational Diabetes may subsequently rise.
What I hope to achieve?
By providing you, the professionals whom the women trust most, with a thorough knowledge of the condition and its treatment, your clients will be in a position to make the best use of available services and can look forward to the healthy pregnancy and birth to which they rightly aspire.
Dependent on where you practice and the local culture, the emotional impact of a diagnosis with Gestational Diabetes is likely to vary. In my experience, emotions ranged from fear and guilt to confusion and a sense of being alone. However, with support, they came to terms with their diagnosis and surprised themselves with the changes they were able to make.
The positive impact of these changes to diet and lifestyle didn’t stop on the arrival of their child, instead it paved the way for a healthy environment for the whole family’s future.
Does your heart sink a little when your clients tell you they have Gestational Diabetes because you feel unable to support them to the high standard you aim?
If so, this course will give you the confidence to support and guide the women you work with, so that they feel empowered and reassured.
Why shouldn’t you benefit too by becoming the ‘go-to’ birth worker for women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes?
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