About the program
Webinar details
Description
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is by far the most common condition among pregnant women. Globally, its prevalence can reach up to 18%. In the Netherlands, between 5,100 and 8,500 women each year receive elevated results from their oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), representing 2–5% of all pregnant women. Of these, only 2% require second-line treatment with insulin.
This means that 98% of women diagnosed with GDM could remain in primary care and be successfully managed with dietary and lifestyle guidance from a primary care dietitian. In many parts of the Netherlands, this has already been successfully implemented for years. However, this still happens far too infrequently.
Most women with an elevated OGTT result are immediately referred to hospital care, which is more expensive—and often unnecessary. A lack of knowledge is often the reason why midwives and dietitians feel hesitant to initiate treatment themselves.
The goal of this training is to increase the knowledge of dietitians and midwives in the field of GDM, so they feel competent and confident enough to manage and treat this group of women within primary care.
Program Highlights – Training on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
Part 1 – Understanding GDM:
- Definition and Diagnostic Criteria
- Prevalence
- Pathophysiology and Causes
- Target Blood Glucose Levels in GDM
- Potential Complications for Mother and Child (Short-term and Long-term)
- Risk Groups
Part 2 – Managing GDM:
- When Can a GDM Patient Be Safely Managed in Primary Care?
And when is referral to secondary care necessary? - Dietary and Lifestyle Advice for GDM
Including carbohydrate restriction and physical activity recommendations
Date & Time: Online – Thursday, October 9 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Caribbean Time)
Cost: USD 50
About the Instructor – Laura Kool
I’m a mother of two, married, a sister, daughter, friend — and a qualified (pediatric) dietitian and psychologist. After completing my degree in psychology, I worked as a PhD candidate at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. However, I soon realized that academic research was not my passion. So, I decided to follow my heart and began the four-year Bachelor’s program in Nutrition & Dietetics at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
After qualifying as a dietitian, I worked in several primary care practices in Amsterdam and Utrecht, as well as at a special needs primary school. In 2013, I completed the post-bachelor’s program in Pediatric Dietetics.
I’m always looking for ways to improve healthcare. How can we better support people with severe pregnancy nausea or celiac disease beyond just one-on-one consultations? How can care be made more innovative and effective?
Celiac Disease
From 2016 to 2021, I worked as Manager of the Scientific Knowledge Center at the Dutch Celiac Association. I gained extensive experience both nationally and internationally and had the opportunity to train many dietitians in the field of celiac disease — both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Pregnancy Nutrition
My second area of specialization is nutrition during pregnancy — both for healthy pregnancies and medical cases, particularly those involving hyperemesis gravidarum and gestational diabetes (GDM). I now also provide training to other dietitians on hyperemesis gravidarum and have founded the HG Dietitians Network.
Professional Memberships & Credentials
- Registered Dietitian – A legally protected title under Dutch law (Individual Healthcare Professions Act), requiring a recognized 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition & Dietetics.
- Quality Registered in the Dutch Paramedical Quality Register – demonstrating up-to-date knowledge, experience, and continuing education.
- Member of the Specialized Celiac Dietitians Network of the Dutch Celiac Association – and former Manager of their Scientific Knowledge Center.
- Pediatric Dietetics Education completed at the HAN University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen).
This course is made possible in part by the Dutch Institute for Training (Nederlands Instituut voor Scholing). For more information, visit: https://www.nivs.nl
Sign up
