Diabetes and labour

[saamantha19881]

I am type 2 and insulin dependent. And have been told I will be induced at 37-8 weeks. (Currently 17 weeks)
Is it possible to have a water birth still? When they talk about monitoring in labour do they mean I won't be able to walk around and move position? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Hello. My situation is a bit different in that I'm not diabetic but I am having (or at least aiming for) vaginal birth after C section so will also need continuous fetal monitoring. I was pretty gutted when I found this out as I also thought this meant I wouldn't be able to move around or have a water birth. But, I've since learned that my hospital has a wireless monitor and it's hardly ever used. So ask your midwife if that's an option. It works exactly the same as other monitors so you'd still have two slightly annoying elasticated straps around your abdomen which might need readjusted every now and again but you can at least get in water with it and move about.

This is slightly off topic and I hope doesn't come across the wrong way but have the midwife / obs your dealing with said anything about the higher chances of needing a c section following early induction? I have a very good friend who has diabetes and had a baby recently in which she was induced I think at the same time as you're saying you will be and needed an emergency section quite early into labour. She learned after the birth that this is fairly common but had been totally geared up for a natural birth so was unprepared for it - both psychologically and in terms of having preferences in her birth plan relating to if it's a section (eg there are ways to have immediate skin to skin contact but that won't happen unless you ask for them).

I feel terrible sharing this information as I know from first hand experience how hard it can be to have a vision of your ideal birth then find out your biology may have other plans. But I know my friend was horrified to have not been told this outcome was more likely in her situation. Besides, a c section can be ok if you're ready for it.

I was induced with my last baby at 42 weeks and was told if I progressed naturally then could have a water birth. There wasn't too much monitoring with the gel, they hooked me up to the monitors for about an hour every six hours. When not being monitored, I was encouraged to go for walks. Unfortunately I only got to 5/6 cm with the gel so needed the drip and couldn't have a water birth. I spent the whole time on the drip with the baby being monitored, this meant staying in the same position in bed to check everything ok. They ended up putting a clip on his head as they couldn't get good readings on my stomach. This may be different for various trusts but that was my experience.
Good luck op.

I had GD in my first pregnancy and I was told I couldn’t have a water birth. Spoke to my MW for this pregnancy as thought I’d be GD again and really want a water birth, she said as long as no other complications then you can have a water birth and they can wirelessly monitor you and baby now. Ask your MW and see if your trust are able to wirelessly monitor.
Good luck fingers crossed you can!!