Need a UK mum/ NHS perspective on gestational diabetes, insulin and early induction...

[badassfeline]

I hope that this is not tl;dr for you all, I am hoping someone out there can help.. I am 32 weeks, and last week the Endo at my hospital started me on an insulin regime to control my GD. I tried to ask him as many questions as I could, but the one he couldn?t answer was what the usual protocol for delivery is, now that I am taking insulin. Will I have to have an induction at 38 weeks or even a C-Section (as some web sites have stated)? I have searched online and the only information I can find about it is from an American perspective (Nothing wrong with that like) but I am not sure if the same protocols apply to the NHS.

Are there any other ladies out there who had to be induced or have a section at 38 weeks due to being insulin dependent? I am not seeing my Obstetrician until October 14th, and would like some sort of idea of what happens next. If so, Were your babies ok and what happened to them straight after the birth? Did they need time in SCBU?

So many questions! Sorry if it?s long,or in the wrong forum but this whole thing is driving me nuts, and making me totally neurotic (I am usually a very calm and levelheaded person honest!)

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

just bumping it for you!

I developed Type1 diabetes in my 1st pregnancy - now have 2 healthy dc.

I think the bottom line is that it depends on the hospital/consultant you see, your blood sugar control and what the growth scans of baby reveal.

I was told I'd prob. be induced at 38 weeks with both of mine. In reality because neither was measuring espec. big and my control was ok, I hung on till 39 weeks - and then the induction took an age so actually had them at 39.5 weeks.

I had pessaries, and waters broken each time but still needed the oxytocin drip to establish labour. The drip can apparently mean the contractions are espec. strong, or at least start very strong right at the beginning. I had an epidural both times, which meant they could turn the drip up to maximum efficiency! Gave birth vaginally both times with no intervention or stitches required.

Both my babies stayed with me the entire time. Their blood levels were checked frequently at my bedside. ds did have a small amount of formula from a cup a couple of hours after birth because his levels were staying a touch low, but breastfed both without too much problem.

It will be fine. Just concentrate on doing the best you can with levels, but do bear in mind - perfection is impossible! I have 2 perfectly healthy dc that prove absolute perfection is not necessary!

Good luck!

I haven`t got long to write just now but i have an interest in gd and am a madwife .
Its not the size of the baby that is the main concern, but amongst many other risk factors a baby of an insulin depandant mum is more likely to have un uneven fat disribution-ie, you may only have a 7lb baby but with a lot of fat distributed on the shoulders increasing the risk of a difficult delivery.
Early induction that is timely can reduce this likelihood.
Also your baby is used to high levels of circulating glucose and as such may drop her own sugar levels post delivery-keep her warm and feed asap post del.
Dependinbg on the unit some will comp feed before others so if your a breastfeeder you could look into storing some colostrum of your own late pregnancy.
If your baby does go to transitional or neonatal care it will be for her own intersts, but you could ask to have a look around beforehand and ask the staff some questions.
Hope this helps x

My friend had gd in her pregnancy. Her ds is now 3mo. She had to inject insulin and had a normal delivery. She has induced at 40 weeks. They did do extra checks during her labour and her ds had to go to the special care unit for about an hour to have his insulin levels checked (They went with him) He weighed 8lbs at birth.

Their little boy was fine and my friends diabetes disappeared after he was born.

They did say that they would induce her early if her insulin levels were dangerous to her and her baby.

Good luck x