GD and birth choices/options

[Welshcake15]

I've had my GTT test result, and the fasting reading was 4.9 and the 2hr reading was 7.9, so 0.1 over on the 2hr reading. It's being repeated because when they called me I queried if the fact that the second blood test was taken 10 minutes before the 2hr mark was up will make a difference. I have had recent fingerprick tests which have all been between 4-4.5, and my urine tests (most recently at 29 weeks) have been negative for sugar.

I'm hoping that it turns out that I don't have GD, but I'm really worried about what will happen if I do, particularly with my birth options (obviously I would also be worried about my baby, but I just had a growth scan for other reasons, and everything was completely normal with the baby on the 50th centile, so I'm happy that everything is currently OK. My MW appointment at 29 weeks was also completely fine with no concerns).

I had hoped to go to an MLU for the birth and have a waterbirth. I want as intervention free and un medicalised birth as possible (if it wasn't my first baby I possibly would have chosen to have a home birth). I've made the mistake of consulting Dr Google, and it seems that if I do have GD that my birth choices will be limited to a consultant led unit, which terrifies me. I really want to avoid an induction, which I understand is more likely if I do have GD. Obviously I know that there were always going to be situations that might mean I couldn't have the birth I want, but it's unclear to me if all of my choices will be gone if I fail the GTT again. There are two MLU in my area. One is freestanding, which is the one I had hoped to go to, and one is a side along unit.

I am partially deaf and find new situations and lots of people stressful as a result, and the idea of being on a ward with other women really stresses me out because I struggle with understanding what is going on around me in a noisy environment. I also worry because my DH is used to my hearing and helps me when I'm struggling to understand something, and I know that on a ward on a consultant led unit he wouldn't be able to stay with me overnight, but he would be able to on the MLU, which was another big reason for this choice.

At my MW appointment we discussed my repeat GTT, and what would happen if I do have GD. She seemed unconcerned, and felt that it was likely that if I do have GD that it may still be possible to go to a MLU as long as I am diet controlled and there aren't any other complications. However, I then spoke to another MW who seemed to think this was unlikely, but didn't really explain why that would be the cae if everything was under control.

Does anyone else have any experience of being able to go to a MLU if they had diet controlled GD with no other complications? Has anyone successfully negotiated going to a side along MLU in this situation on the basis that you are in the same building as the consultant led unit?

Obviously if I do have GD I will listen to medical advice to make the best choices for my baby, including going to a consultant led unit or being induced if there was a problem.

Hey, I had GD and was completely diet controlled. They advised that it was best to give birth on the labour ward as baby would need their sugars checked. I later found out this didn't have to happen for 3 hours so you have a chance of skin to skin and to breastfeed or formula feed the baby depending on your choice.

I think it depends on the area as to whether you can give birth on MLU. I would suggest being in hospital because if you do have GD and babys sugars cant be controlled then at worst case they may need to be admitted to NiCU. My little ones sugars dropped but was topped up with formula and dextrose and they levelled out of 24 hours when monitored so did not need to be admitted. Also my milk/colostrum did not come in till day 2 so this contributed to the need for top ups with formula.

Also just because you give birth on the labour ward does not mean you cant have the birth you want. I was induced on my due date and had a water birth on the labour ward. I wasnt progessing towards the end so had to come out and gave birth the traditional way with a drip of the contraction hormone as mine had slowed. This was the only intervention I had. The rest of the time I was just in the water and using gas and air.

Overall please do not worry an intervention free delivery is possible if that's what you want/are meant to have. However please dont think you have failed in anyway if you dont get the experience you want. It will ultimately be what is best for you and the baby. I tried hypnobirthing birthing which was also super helpful.

If you want any help with recipes if you are diagnosed with GD just drop me a message. Fingers crossed your readings are fine.

@OnlyLittleMissOrganised thanks for your advice on this. It really helped to calm me down when I was very upset about the whole situation.

Anyway, I'm glad I listened to my instincts about the test, because it turns out that I do not have gestational diabetes! My fasting reading was 4.8 and my 2hr reading was 6.3! Phew!