The importance of balanced blood sugar levels on both fertility and pregnancy is often overlooked. For this reason, today on Fertility Forward, we discuss blood sugar regulation, gestational diabetes mellitus (or GDM), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS) with regard to pregnancy and fertility. We are joined by an expert in this field, Casey Seiden, who is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Associates in Manhattan. She helps women optimize nutrition during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum, and also manages the Gestational Diabetes Program that receives referrals from doctors across New York City. She is also the owner of Casey Seiden Nutrition, a private practice that specializes in women's health and diabetes, as well as the author of the cookbook Meal Prep for Two. Casey discusses the impact of unbalanced blood sugar on our hormones and efforts to get pregnant. She explains what gestational diabetes is, what risk factors may make you more prone to it, what you should be aware of before getting pregnant, and the long-term risks of this for both mom and baby. Whether you are pregnant or not, learn some tips to help you balance your own blood sugar, find out why avoiding carbohydrates is not the answer, and hear why it’s okay to indulge in a nice dessert from time to time. For all this and more, tune in today!