Gestational diabetes and delivery

Melissa - posted on 02/28/2009

Thank-you everyone.

Well I know all to well about inductions. I was induced with my other 2 but not because of GD but because they were both over 2 weeks overdue. So I am not too worried about that scenario either. I mostly just wanted to make sure that there were no real dangers to the baby.

Jacqueline - posted on 02/28/2009

Well When it came to all three pregnacies I had it all. Gestational Diabetes, Toximia. Hypertention which was part of the toximia but I still have the hypertention to this date. The gestational is completly gone. My first child was suppose to be over 7 lbs+ and ended up only being 5lbs 1 oz my second child was only 7 lbs even   and my third child was 7.4. So with the gestational my babies were average. There are people with diabetes who had baies under 8lbs and were induced. I would just enjoy know baby will be here soon and try not to worry I know its hard. baby is just demanding a lot from you right now and makes your insulin go out of wack right now. Mine did the last 2 weeks, and the dr.s tried to put me on inslulin but I refused i just ate a lot of veggies and stayed away from breads and pastas and cerals. Hope I was a little helpful. Good Luck             

Naomi - posted on 02/28/2009

Quoting Elizabeth:

I have 2 children (5 & 15).  I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with both pregnancies. 

With the 1st pregnancy, I noticed my Dr. would tell me there was too much sugar in my urine after I had honeycombs or something sweet for breakfast, but it was ok if I just had toast with cheese whiz or something.  I mentioned this to my Dr, but she said that wouldn't make a difference, but it did!  I just made sure I didn't eat anything with a lot of sugar before going for the urine tests after that, and everything was fine.

With my 2nd daughter, they made me get a monitor to test my blood sugar and see a dietician.  Since they thought I was diabetic, they also gave my baby needles to check her blood sugar 3 times after she was born.  I felt really bad about her having to get the needles, especially when I didn't believe I was diabetic.  When I took my monitor test results into my Dr., she said either the monitor was broken or I should have been dead or in a coma from some of the readings if I was diabetic.  I told her I didn't believe I was diabetic.  Then she told me I had just tested at borderline (6.5) or something like that.

I never had to go as far as getting insulin.  I do believe diabetes tends to 'runs' in families (you're more likely to get it if other family members have/had it).  Diabetes does not 'run in my family'.  I don't think I had it when I was pregnant either.  I think they just took extra precaution when I tested + at the border line level.

I never had any problems delivering either of my babies (well at least not because of diabetes).  I've never tested + for diabetes since either.

I'm not saying you don't have diabetes, but I don't think it will affect you delivering the baby.  If diabetes 'runs in your family', I think it's more likely that you could have it too.

Why are they going to induce labour?  (Is the baby over 2 wks past the expected delivery date or are they concerned about the weight of the baby?)  They tried inducing me when I was having my first child.  You might want to ask for an epidural or some kind of pain relief before they start inducing you!  Before inducing me, my contractions were 5 min apart which I could handle; but after starting the inducing, they started coming every min & really strong (& painful).  I was going to try to go 'drug free' etc. with the delivery, but I asked for immediate pain relief once they started injecting the inducing fluid.  I got an epidural to numb the pain.

I am a small person (5 feet & shrinking).  My 1st was 8 lbs & 2 oz which I had by C-section.  That had nothing to do with diabetes.  It was because she was coming out 'bum 1st'.  They were going to attempt natural delivery anyway, but after 36 hrs of labour, they did a C-section because her one foot was dangling, & they were worried that might be the 1st part to come out, & she'd get stuck!  My 2nd was 6 lbs, 14 oz (or about that).  I had her naturally (no C-section) without any problems.

Elizabeth i can't believe that they called 6.5 borderline. In Australia the Dr wouldn't ever raise an eye brow at that. Here if your BSL is over 8 after the 1 hour test then they will send you for the longer 2 hour test then if it is over 8 they say you have GD. I am amazed at how many Dr will induce a GD mother early because they think the baby is TOOOO big at 8 1/2 lb. I would love to make a Dr go through an induction. they might think twice about doing to a mother. I kind of work on the idea as i'm not sick i'm pregnant and women have being doing this sinces before time. yes if they are major complication s grab a Dr. i just think a lot of Dr out there are far to keen to push and pull and cut, so they can get home. My sister in law (in the US) was induced  basical because her Dr wanted to get home and didn't want to be delivering the baby in the middle of the night. 

Naomi - posted on 02/28/2009

Hi Melissa. Im pregnant with my 4 child and had GD with all of them. I was diet contraled with the first 3 but have not got that far with the 4th. I'm not sure about what happens in the USA as i live in Australia but There is a few things i can pass on. 1) This is not your fault Its a hormone thing and has nothing to do with your life style or that you are a bad person. 2) it is very common for you to have to increase your insulin as you progress through your pregnancy. I know for myself that things i could eat at 20 weeks i can not eat at 30 weeks. 

Your baby isn't going to get that much bigger in the next week or so. As for labour there is a few things that can happen, they will keep a close eye on your BSL you may have to have insulin while in labour. After the baby is born they will test your child's BSL for about 24 hours. The baby may have to go on an insulin drip to regulate their BSL depending on your levels. Its not to much of a problem.  GD is not that bad of a complication don't let over excited Dr make you feel worried about it. I had all 3 of mine in a birthing unit (like a home birth but in hospital, no Dr just Midwifes) there was no complication except i had to stay in hospital for 24 hours after the birth so they could check the baby's BSL (i don't like Hospitals). My oldest, Sebastian was 7lb 8 ish full term and is now 6 years old and the only problems he has is Asthma (nothing to do with GD) Elliott was two week early (no inducation) and was 8lb 8ish he is now 3 and is a skinny as a rake. My baby Morgan (who's not a baby any more :( ) was a week early and was just under 10lb. he's two now and only thing he has problems with is Pigine toe. Also nothing to do with GD. 

I had mine in the bath with no drugs ( i think drugs are great if you have time), no Dr just great Midwifes. Yes things can go wrong but things can go wrong with non GD baby's. It will be ok. Yes there is a increased risk of type 1 Diabetes and some say if babys are large there is a risk of type 2 diabetes (although the researce is saying that there is also a increase risk of type 2 diabetes in under weight babys eg in the 6lb or less) they just don't really know. 

As for Microsomia my brother was 11lb and my mother didn't have GD. some babys are just going to be big. it's crap i know. Good Luck  remember this is your birth you have done it before, don't let any over excited Dr take control if you are not comfortable with what they are doing. Just be prepared induction labour is faster and hurts more than normal labour. 

Naomi

Elizabeth - posted on 02/28/2009

I have 2 children (5 & 15).  I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with both pregnancies. 

With the 1st pregnancy, I noticed my Dr. would tell me there was too much sugar in my urine after I had honeycombs or something sweet for breakfast, but it was ok if I just had toast with cheese whiz or something.  I mentioned this to my Dr, but she said that wouldn't make a difference, but it did!  I just made sure I didn't eat anything with a lot of sugar before going for the urine tests after that, and everything was fine.

With my 2nd daughter, they made me get a monitor to test my blood sugar and see a dietician.  Since they thought I was diabetic, they also gave my baby needles to check her blood sugar 3 times after she was born.  I felt really bad about her having to get the needles, especially when I didn't believe I was diabetic.  When I took my monitor test results into my Dr., she said either the monitor was broken or I should have been dead or in a coma from some of the readings if I was diabetic.  I told her I didn't believe I was diabetic.  Then she told me I had just tested at borderline (6.5) or something like that.

I never had to go as far as getting insulin.  I do believe diabetes tends to 'runs' in families (you're more likely to get it if other family members have/had it).  Diabetes does not 'run in my family'.  I don't think I had it when I was pregnant either.  I think they just took extra precaution when I tested + at the border line level.

I never had any problems delivering either of my babies (well at least not because of diabetes).  I've never tested + for diabetes since either.

I'm not saying you don't have diabetes, but I don't think it will affect you delivering the baby.  If diabetes 'runs in your family', I think it's more likely that you could have it too.

Why are they going to induce labour?  (Is the baby over 2 wks past the expected delivery date or are they concerned about the weight of the baby?)  They tried inducing me when I was having my first child.  You might want to ask for an epidural or some kind of pain relief before they start inducing you!  Before inducing me, my contractions were 5 min apart which I could handle; but after starting the inducing, they started coming every min & really strong (& painful).  I was going to try to go 'drug free' etc. with the delivery, but I asked for immediate pain relief once they started injecting the inducing fluid.  I got an epidural to numb the pain.

I am a small person (5 feet & shrinking).  My 1st was 8 lbs & 2 oz which I had by C-section.  That had nothing to do with diabetes.  It was because she was coming out 'bum 1st'.  They were going to attempt natural delivery anyway, but after 36 hrs of labour, they did a C-section because her one foot was dangling, & they were worried that might be the 1st part to come out, & she'd get stuck!  My 2nd was 6 lbs, 14 oz (or about that).  I had her naturally (no C-section) without any problems.

Toni - posted on 02/28/2009

HI

I had gestational diabetes with my little girl nearly seven years ago. I was induced 2 weeks early and was told it was going to be a big baby, probably 10lbs or over. So I bought only 0-3mth clothing and was told I wouldn't need any newborn stuff. She was 8lb 13oz when she was delivered. I had to borrow a load of newborn clothes from my sister who had had a little boy just 10 wks before. Luckily she had a lot of white, cream and pale yellow sleepsuits which were great.

Apparently it's the shoulders they have to be careful of as they can get caught and end up being dislocated or worst case scenario they get stuck. It's also very common for all babies to lose a little weight after they're born but I think diabetic babies lose more than most. My daughter lost 1lb in a week. I was told it was nearly all fluid caused by the diabetes.

I don't know how you'll be monitored or how things have changed since I had my baby. But I had an epidural as I also had pre-eclampsia towards the end and it helps with raised blood pressure. I had to have several drips put in each hand, one for glucose, one for insulin and a spare for 'just in case'. My epidural didn't work for pain relief but it did keep my blood pressure down. I had some kind of wire attached to my babies head inside me as she kept wiggling around a lot and they kept losing her heart beat. In the end I had an 18 hour labour followed by a c-section due to 'failure to progress' nd baby got into distress.

But everything turned out great in the end :)

Sarah - posted on 02/28/2009

Hi Melissa.  I just had my daughter 3 months ago and I also had gestational diabetes.  I had a problem with my fasting sugars.  I was up to I think 45 units before bed.  I was worried just like you, but everything turned out fine.  I also had high blood pressure so that was just more on top of it.  They had to give me the Magnesium Sulfate while I was in the hospital and it was totally horrible, but I'm pretty sure it was just because of the blood pressure.  They induced me 3 weeks early and I had a healthy 6lb. 6 oz baby girl.  I think you will be just fine.  Just try to stay positive.  Good things tend to happen more when you stay positive about things.  Good luck, let me know how everything goes.  : )

Steffanie - posted on 02/27/2009

Hi Melissa!  I had my 3rd last April (a baby boy) and also had gestational diabetes.  They estimated that my baby would be over 8 lbs and he turned out to be 7 lbs and 15 oz.  The main worry they have is macrosomia (big baby).  Here's a link that I found helpful.  http://www.babycenter.com/0_labor-compli...

Everything went fine with my delivery and I have a healthy, chubby cheeked little guy.  Hopefully you will get the answers you are searching for from the link I posted.  I have found that Babycenter.com has been a helpful tool with all of my kids. 

Good luck!

Steffanie