In this episode of Radical Childbirth Education, Joni Edelman takes on the diabetes debate with zero sugar-coating (pun intended). She breaks down how your pancreas actually works, why gestational diabetes diagnoses skyrocketed after the 2020 guideline shift, and how the fear of ‘big babies’ fuels unnecessary inductions and interventions. Expect a mix of physiology, politics, and birth sovereignty that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about glucose tests. Whether you’re pregnant, a doula, or just birth-curious, Joni dishes the real talk: controlled blood sugar means healthy outcomes, and women still deserve full autonomy over their care.

00:00 – 02:15 — Welcome & why diabetes in pregnancy matters

02:16 – 07:20 — Anatomy & physiology refresher: pancreas, insulin, glycogen, glucagon

07:21 – 12:23 — Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes: causes, history, lifestyle, and diet

12:24 – 20:20 — Gestational diabetes explained & global testing differences

20:21 – 27:36 — The 2020 parameter change: how diagnosis rates jumped from 1 in 20 → 1 in 5

27:37 – 36:45 — Fear of large babies, shoulder dystocia, and malpractice pressures

36:46 – 44:43 — Induction for “big babies,” the role of relaxin, and why outcomes aren’t improving

44:44 – 52:26 — False positives, dietary restrictions, growth-restricted babies, and rising inductions for “small babies”

52:27 – 56:54 — Joni’s personal stories: birthing 10–11 lb babies & testing alternatives

56:55 – 1:02:38 — Key takeaways: controlled diabetes = healthy outcomes; autonomy in care

1:02:39 – End — Call to action: your body, your baby, your choice

STUDIES:

• Metzger BE, Lowe LP, Dyer AR, et al. Hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes (HAPO) study. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:1991–2002. Link ➝ Found continuous relationship between maternal glucose levels and risk, which influenced stricter diagnostic criteria.
• Farrar D, Simmonds M, Bryant M, et al. Hyperglycaemia and risk of adverse perinatal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2016;354:i4694. Link ➝ Supports nuanced view: risks rise with uncontrolled hyperglycemia, but cutoff thresholds are contested.
• Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Moss JR, et al. Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:2477–2486. Link ➝ Treating GDM reduced serious outcomes, but also increased induction rates.
• Boulvain M, Senat MV, Perrotin F, et al. Induction of labour versus expectant management for large-for-date fetuses: a randomized controlled trial. Lancet. 2015;385:2600–2605. Link ➝ Induction slightly reduced shoulder dystocia, but increased maternal complications.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135:e237-e260. Link ➝ Current clinical guidance, including diagnostic cutoffs and management.