Results back from GTT - does this scupper my homebirth?

[Beccabump]

(Background info - Dad and Grandad both type 2 diabetics, med and insulin controlled so had to have GTT again and with DD it was fine)

Had a phonecall from the mw today, saw her last week at 28+ weeks and from the computer screens at the gp's surgery my GTT result was fine. However, having received the paper report now, she has noticed that I am just over the baseline for what they consider upper normal. I have to go to the hospital next week for a meeting with the nutritionist, consultant, possibly have another scan to check size, and may if they feel it is appropriate have to monitor my sugar levels daily.

The thing I am really worried about now is that I have been planning on a homebirth since day one, as our hospital is a 1 hour journey away and DH doesn't drive! HB's are really good around here and well recommended! Does the fact that I am now having to have these tests mean I will be less likely to get my homebirth?

[llareggub]

I guess it depends on what happens.

I had GD with this pregnancy and was put onto insulin almost straight away, which I felt was unnecessary. I turned out to be right as they ended up cutting my insulin dose by half.

In my case, I controlled the GD very well and my baby was born on the 50th centile at 38 weeks. I saw a consultant every 4 weeks and had a scan at that appointment to check growth, as GD babies tend to be bigger. Mine was on the 50th centile all the way through.

Even so, my consultant was only happy for me to labour at hospital, and I was on glucose and insulin throughout. I was also monitored throughout as well, which meant I was pretty immobile.

My hospital (contrary to NICE guidelines) send all babies born to mothers with GD to SCBU for 24 hour monitoring. I challenged this and they did the monitoring on the ward, but they still wanted to take his blood sugar every 3 hours as there is a risk that the baby's BS would fall dangerously low in the first 24 hours.

For these reasons I'd say it is unlikely that you'd get your homebirth, but I guess if you control your blood sugar and manage your GD through diet alone then you might. It all depends on how your body deals with it.

My GD was borderline too, and I was told that GD gets progressively worse through pregnancy. Mine didn't, but I was very strict about diet and exercising, both of which will impact on blood sugar.

Good luck, and I am sorry I cannot be more reassuring.

[MustHaveaVeryShortMemory]

Have a read of this www.homebirth.org.uk/gd.htm

[plantsitter]

I had GD (not sure you have), well controlled by diet and was allowed to be booked in for a home birth. Had to sign a disclaimer thingy saying I understood this was not standard practice, but the midwives were pretty relaxed about it.

Sadly DD was late so I was induced and didn't get my home birth . But that's different!

[Beccabump]

Thanks for the replies, my main concern is that I have severe SPD (just about under control to be allowed the HB!) and the thought of trying to get a possibly huge baby out without being able to 'ahem' spread my legs!

Having spoken to my mw again she sounds very doubtful about me having a hb and she is a woman who usually fights like mad for them.

I am now thinking that if they do decide to have me induced, am I able to change where I am giving birth? I ask as, logistically, the hospital I am now with is a nightmare to get to, one and a quarter hours away, DH doesn't drive so wouldn't be able to visit without real difficulty and DD would have real childcare issues. I should also add I would expect a nights stay at least as last time I was induced it took 36 hours to labour and deliver!! I would like to change to a hospital still within the region but much closer to DH's parents (half an hour) so DD would have constant reasurance and DH could be brought in and out as he wanted.

Am I able to ask about this if they say I would be better being induced? Am I able to ask for a specific hospital??

Help!! xxx

[llareggub]

I was induced at 38 weeks and my baby was 7 pounds 9, so not huge. I am pretty sure you can request a different hospital. Good luck!