Are you looking to increase your toolkit for supporting your clients diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes? Do you often wonder if there is something you may be missing with your client who has a hard time controlling their blood sugar levels? Are you curious about innovative food and lifestyle changes specific to GDM that are supported by research?


Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) affects upwards of 15% of pregnant clients. Additionally, 50-70% of GDM diagnosed clients will go on to have Type 2 diabetes later in life, and their babies are at a significantly higher risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The midwife has a prime opportunity to educate and counsel clients to decrease risks of these debilitating chronic illnesses, but how does one go about supporting clients who bring to the table individual risk factors, food preferences, and lifestyle habits? 


Midwife and Nutritionist, Sarah Lax, provides you with a unique framework to support each individual client and their specific challenges. This webinar explores the evidence and efficacy of practices used to support GDM, from diet assessments and sleep strategies, to inflammation and nutrient therapy, and much more. You will learn to implement this framework to become the effective wellness detective your clients need to catapult their GDM prevention or management plan towards greater success and healthy habit change for life. 


Learning Objectives

1. Review the risk factors and impact of GDM on the pregnant client and developing fetus

2. Define the primary goals of functional nutrition counseling 

3. Summarize current research on the dietary interventions in blood sugar management and critically evaluate nutrition research relating to GDM treatment

4. Utilize a comprehensive tracking model for assessment of blood sugar balance

5. Explain the physiology of the stress response in relation to blood sugar balance

6. Using the functional nutrition model, explain the lifestyle factors that contribute cortisol dysfunction, inflammation, and blood sugar imbalance

7. List key nutrients and food sources to utilize when creating an individualized client care plan for the prevention and treatment of GDM

8. Utilize key counseling principles designed for client success, including Motivational Interviewing (MI) and the Empathy Matrix


HiveCE is an approved provider of continuing education by the California Board of Nursing, and this course meets the California Board of Nursing criteria for # hours of continuing education. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17686, for 6 contact hours. (This is widely accepted nationwide as continuing education for nurses and midwives.

This course has been approved by MEAC for 6 hours of continuing education. The MEAC approval number for this course is M2122-65-0301DE, and this approval is current through February 29th, 2022.

This course was previously approved from under MEAC approval numbers M1718-48-1229DE and M1920-71-0206DE.

Approved for the NARM Midwifery Bridge Certificate, Category 1.


Note: Course completion does not authorize the learner to use skills outside their scope. Please refer to your state guidelines for determining scope of care

For information regarding our refund policy and other Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to our FAQ. If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].

  • Sarah Lax, BA, CPM, LDM, CHN

    Instructor Bio:

    Sarah Lax is a Certified Professional Midwife, practicing in Oregon and Washington. She holds a B.A. from Seattle University and graduated from Seattle Midwifery School (now Bastyr University). Sarah is also a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, a Holistic Pelvic Care™ provider, and a TRE® (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) provider. With over a decade of experience as a practicing midwife, Sarah has the pleasure of working as the in-house nutritionist with families at Vivante Midwifery and Women's Health, teaches as adjunct faculty in the Department of Midwifery at Bastyr University and is the owner of Beginnings Whole Body Nourishment. Born and raised in Portland Oregon, Sarah spends her free moments on nature outings with her husband and three children, exploring new foods, playing music, moving and finding quiet moments as a parent to breathe.

    Sarah Lax

    Certified Professional Midwife, Certified Holistic Nutritionist

Course curriculum

  • 01
    Part 1: Functional Nutrition for Gestational Diabetes
    Show details
    • 1.0- Introduction to A Functional Framework
    • 1.1- "The Who" and Risk Factors
    • 1.2- Prevention Foundations
    • Animation Video: What is Gestational Diabetes? (Optional)
    • Quiz 1
  • 02
    Part 2: What is Functional Nutrition?
    Show details
    • 2.0- Functional Nutrition Defined
    • 2.1- The Whole Person and Research
    • 2.2- The Research Continued
    • 2.3- Complications and Individuality
    • Quiz 2
  • 03
    Part 3: Clear the Muddy Waters
    Show details
    • 3.0- Discovering Your Client's Terrain
    • 3.1- Functional vs Non-Functional (Stories)
    • 3.2- Food Mood Poop Tracking
    • Practitioner/Client Resources
    • Animation: The Digestive System
    • Quiz 3
  • 04
    Part 4: Functional Education
    Show details
    • 4.0- Client Education and "The Why"
    • 4.1- The "Ideal" Diet
    • 4.2- The Food (Sources)
    • Practitioner/Client Resources
    • Quiz 4
  • 05
    Part 5: The Stress Response and Lifestyle Modifications Intro
    Show details
    • 5.0- GDM and Stress Intro
    • 5.1- Sources of Stress: ACEs, Racism, and Digestion
    • Practitioner/Client Resources
    • Animation: Stress Physiology
    • Quiz 5
  • 06
    Part 6: Sources of Stress Continued
    Show details
    • 6.0- Sources of Stress: Infection and Inflammation
    • 6.1- Sources of Stress: Toxin Overload
    • 6.2- Sources of Stress: Low Movement Diet
    • 6.3- Sources of Stress: Sleep Disruption and Isolation
    • Practitioner/Client Resources
    • Homework: Research Articles
    • Quiz 6
  • 07
    Part 7: Nutrient Therapy
    Show details
    • 7.0- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
    • 7.1- Vitamin D3
    • 7.2- Additional Key Supplements
    • Practitioner Resources
    • Quiz 7
  • 08
    Part 8: Bringing It All Together
    Show details
    • 8.0- Framework Conclusion
    • Practitioner Resources
    • Case Presentation- Audio Recording
    • Case Presentation- Audio Addendum
    • Case Presentation- Client Intake Form
    • Case Presentation- Client Food Log
    • Required Homework- Research Articles
    • Full Course Reference List
    • Quiz 8
  • 09
    MEAC Post-Test and CE Certificate
    Show details
    • MEAC Evaluation Questions
    • Post-test

Reviews

  • By Katherine Zieman

    “Excellent and thorough ”

    “Excellent and thorough ”

    Read Less
  • By marjie houck

    “Great teacher... great information! I loved it!”

    “Great teacher... great information! I loved it!”

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  • By Caitlin Kirkman

    “Very above satisfactory information and useful ways to present to clients. Loved the links to studies!! Curious on the topic of this approach to prevention and management what kinds of screening are being done (ex.typical glucola, serial samplin...”

    Read More

    “Very above satisfactory information and useful ways to present to clients. Loved the links to studies!! Curious on the topic of this approach to prevention and management what kinds of screening are being done (ex.typical glucola, serial sampling, food based 3hr GTT....)”

    Read Less

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