To go or not go to 37 weeks appointment?

[MyDearest1987]

I am currently under NHS antenatal care with GD, on insulin and Metformin, and I'm 37 weeks pregnant. I’m planning to give birth at a private hospital, but I have an appointment with the diabetes nurse and consultant tomorrow. I initially wanted to attend to get a second opinion on dates and continue receiving GD care. However, I’m now struggling to walk due to severe SPD and need a wheelchair, and my husband can’t accompany me as it’s his last day at work before the birth.
Should I inform the NHS that I’ll be giving birth elsewhere and ask if they’ll continue the GD care? Or should I just not attend the appointment?

Things can go wrong quite quickly in late pregnancy. I wouldn’t be skipping any appointments.

This absolutely. Just go.

Can you get a friend to go with you, or can your dh work Friday instead of tomorrow?

I'm currently checking with a friend, but I'm not sure if she’ll be able to make it. I’m booked for an ELCS on the 15th at the private hospital, so I’m wondering if I should just wait until then, and if anything happens before that, I can just come in.

You're on insulin and metformin which means you are having a significantly high risk pregnancy. Does any medical professional review your blood glucose readings remotely, or will this be the only opportunity they have to see them?

I'm using the GDM app, and the nurse can message me if I need to increase my insulin dosage. I’m planning to call them tomorrow to see if I could have a Zoom or phone call with the consultant instead. The appointment is mainly to discuss diet, what might have gone wrong, the birth plan, and to check my blood pressure, bump measurements, and the baby’s heartbeat, all of which I’ve been monitoring myself at home.

High risk pregnancy. Go in for the monitoring. The NHS is short on resources, if they’re offering an appointment then there is good reason for it. Please go in and be checked.

That's reassuring that they can see your numbers remotely because late stages of pregnancy become the most high risk for GD requiring insulin. I would still be going regardless. Your BP monitor might not be as accurate, you can't test your urine. Do you mean you've been checking baby's heart rate with a doptone? If you're not a midwife or doctor that's not of any use.

You’re all right, ladies! Thank you for the advice. A friend is coming tomorrow to take me to my appointment.

When I was 31 weeks pregnant back in 1999 I was debating whether or not to go to a scheduled midwife appointment as my feet were so swollen I couldn’t wear shoes so 18 year old me was gonna sack it off, ended up borrowing money from my sister to get a taxi there and I’m so glad I did because as soon as the midwife took my blood pressure she phoned an ambulance and off I went to the hospital and I ended up having an emergency section the next morning.

As a previous poster has already stated things can go wrong very quickly

If you're giving birth privately surely you've switched to private care by now and can see your private consultant?

It looks like you are going now, but to ask, "should I just not attend "you should never do that! At least have the courtesy to phone and cancel. There could be people waiting for appointments that could use your slot.