GD and VBAC?

[HLC2109]

Sorry ladies this is going to be a long one but please bear with me as I would love your advice and experiences.


First of all a bit of background info...



When I was pregnant with my little boy I had gestational diabetes and ended up having to take metformin and insulin daily to control my levels.
Because I was using insulin the consultant would not let me go past 38 weeks so I was induced.
After being sent home on the day i was booked in to be induced because they were too busy, they got me back the next day to do the induction. It turns out they were still far too busy - I had the 2 tablets inserted in an assessment room, when the second one went in my waters broke but it was then 27 hours until they got me into a delivery room to start the drip. Because of the induction I was continuously monitored and stuck on the bed. I didn't progress past 2cm and ended up with an emergency c-section. I feel that I would have progressed much further if I had of been mobile, I hated being stuck on the bed. After the c-section I lost 2.5 litres of blood and only just avoided a transfusion, the blood loss made me feel so unwell and out of breath for several weeks after.


SO - following on from this I have several questions.


I know I am pretty likely to have GD again in future pregnancies (I do have a high BMI so trying to lose weight before any other pregnancies to try and avoid diabetes), how does this affect a VBAC? I'm desperate to go for a VBAC if at all possible but does GD throw any other obstacles in my way to a VBAC? Anyone with experience of a VBAC with GD - I would live to know your experiences.


Another question I have is regarding monitoring during VBAC. I would hate to be stuck on a bed again being continuously monitored. I would have no problems with being intermittently monitored but don't think I could handle continuous monitoring again. What monitoring did you have during your VBAC? Did you get a choice for your monitoring?


Lastly, we were told we should not become pregnant again until 2 years after my c-section however I have heard so many different variances on this. I would love to know how far apart #1 and #2 were for you after a c-section and if you had a VBAC.


Again I'm sorry this was so long and thanks for reading if you got this far!!

 

[HLC2109]

I guess it really was too long!

 

[weebun]

last year I was pg with no 2. My first pg was 9 years ago, I normal labour ended up with emcs, last year I had GD and was advised induction at 39 weeks as I managed on diet only, I was attempting vbac. Once I was induced I was on the bed with the straps on, and that was that for me, I could move on the bed but not move around the room due to being hooked up to the monitor.
once an epidural went in that was me on the bed full hit.
I didn't get past 8 cm due to fetal distress and my dilating slowed down. ended up with another emcs
I am pg with no 3 NO GD this time, and pregnancy and me and baby are fine.
I have been advised planned c-section due to scar tissue complications last time and the fact that I didn't get past 8 cm after most of the day in comfortable labour.
They want to avoid another emcs situation, however the nearer it gets the more I am wanting to be induced and left alone cause the way I see it another c-section is still going to be complicated if if there is scar tissue anyway, so if i could avoid one then I would like to try and this time I would insist on being allowed to move around in the early stages post induction. or if I go into labour myself, I am certainly going to hold off going to the hospital for as long as possible.

 

[HLC2109]

Hi weebun, I also would like to insist that I be allowed to move around during labour but would like to have this agreed beforehand - wouldn't want to have a standoff situation whilst in labour!
Have you spoken to your midwife/hospital about what you would like to do yet?

 

[weebun]

no My apt is next wednesday with the consultant and she is giving me a date then for c-section..however I will be addressing with her that should I go into labour before then that I wish to be examined on arrival at hosptial and not just taken to surgery. and to be given the option of giving labour a chance. Thing is once your in labour a c-section becomes an emergency one anyway.. I will stress that I will meet them half way and if it looks like I am not dilating or progressing quickly then I would listen to them.

 

[Amberyll23]

Hi there HLC2109!

I had GD with my first pregnancy (along with High Blood Pressure and my age at the time, 37) and was on insulin from about 16 weeks on. I was taken in for induction 1 week before my due date and the induction failed. They tried 3 different drugs, and none of them worked (one threw me into some nasty contractions that had no result, however!)

On the third day I ultimately ended up electing a Section, I was exhausted and worried about my baby and they thought she was on the larger side (but she wasn't, she was 7lbs, 14 oz).

I am so sorry that you had such a horrible Section experience, and I can understand your concerns and trepidations about any future pregnancies. It took me about 2-3 weeks to fully recover from my Section (or at least feel somewhat normal.)

I had a high BMI with my first pregnancy and am fortunately starting out this second pregnancy about 50 lbs lighter. (yay!). I have already had my initial appointment with my gyn. and will be getting tested for GD here in the next 2 weeks or so.

To answer some of your questions:

1. I was told after my DD was born to wait about a year before trying for another. We didn't quite make that marker , and got pregnant when my DD was 11 months old. My doctor says she is not concerned about that and that I should be able to carry this one without any problems.

So I dont think you need to wait 2 years!

2. VBAC. My doctor told me that she did not see any issues with me trying for a VBAC if I wish it with this child, even if I again develop GD. However, I have to keep in mind the failed induction, that this could happen again, as well as the fact that they discovered I have a narrow pelvic area that could cause issues for a larger baby. So, I may end up opting for another Section, I will just have to see.

But, bottomline, VBAC is not off the table post GD/Section.

3. As for monitoring, I think that may depend on the hospital, etc. I know that with my first, I was allowed to periodically get up and walk around and get taken off the machines. It was never for very long though, they did need to check on the baby periodically to make sure her HB was ok and she wasn't in any distress due to the induction drugs. And when I was on the one that threw me into contractions, I really didnt want to move at that point, those hurt!

I hope some of this information helped!

 

[HLC2109]

Weebun - I hope your appointment goes well and you get the outcome you hope for, let me know how you get on!

Amberyll23 - thank you so much, that was just what I was looking for. With my first the drugs worked a little too well and the drip had to be turned down as there was no gap between contractions but I was the opposite, I really wanted to get up but I wasn't allowed to move for 12 hours.
As for waiting for two years I really don't know where they plucked this figure from as most people I have spoken to have said the same as you - that they were told 1 year! It's all so confusing lol!


Thank you both for sharing your experiences you have really helped settle my mind.