VBAC & Gestational Diabetes

[Soph1809]

I had a C-section with 1st due to breech. Known at 30w but sadly I was not rescanned despite airing my concerns 😔went into spontaneous labour told at hospital breech. Felt had no choice whatsoever & it really affected me mentally.

29w with next little girl, scan last week showed she’s head down so long may she stay there 🤞. This time I’ve got gestational diabetes, measuring on 87th percentile. Trying diet controlled but I don’t my body is managing well with my fasting sugars 😔feeling like I’ve let myself down but I eat well and I exercise. My little girl was 9lb2 but was not huge size just heavy 😂. Really keen on VBAC. Care team are seeming supportive of this which is great. I’ve asked for the birth centre as it’s next to labour so being transferred is not a problem. I would like a relaxed less medical less fuss environment and research shows this is more effective for mum. I don’t fit the normal criteria but midwife and me can build a case. But scared about going on metformin affecting this outcome but also appreciate if it controls my sugars surely that’s beneficial. Induction I need to research more but would prefer to hold out to least 41 as my daughter came 40+1. Any encouragement or advice would be amazing. 🩷

You can totally have a VBAC with gestational diabetes. I did (twice)!

My experience is that they will want to monitor more and potentially put in a cannula etc so be clear in advance what you will and won't put up with. I could tell the midwives were nervous of shoulder dystocia as well. Also, they may put time pressure on you but NICE guidelines say 40+6 is fine if diet controlled so worth double checking national and local trust policies. I was listened to and both times was able to go into spontaneous labour. My GD was uncomplicated and diet controlled.

Hi my last pregnancy I had gestional diabetes and did end up on Metformin due to fasting number's. I was allowed to have a vaginal birth they did push for a C-section but as previously posted they just monitor you more. I was induced due to other health issues at 38+ weeks and was nil by mouth in case of needing a C-section. I did struggle but ended up with a forceps delivery not ideal but mostly positive.

Thank so much for responding really appreciate that. I was hoping mine would be diet controlled, but my morning bloods aren’t not at the level required which is super fustrating but heard this is the hardest reading. I don’t know how much impact it will have going on metformin if need as don’t think I recall the NICE guidelines elaborating on that, I’ll talk to midwife. I’m trying to be sensible/understanding of risks vs having my boundaries and wanting nature to have its say! X I’m also paranoid about another breech, she wasn’t at 29w and I’ve got more scans so time will tell I guess!

Fasting is so frustrating as there's not much you can do about it. Presume you've tried a late night snack? You definitely haven't let yourself down💐 Good luck!