Type 1 Diabetes and using Doula/Birth Center?

Sugargirl1019

So many of my close friends have used birth centers and a doula, and this idea is really sounding positive to me. I know blood sugars can be a problem as soon as baby is born, so I don't know if birth centers can deal with that. I have received open general responses like "we can do IV fluids with dextrose" to "there are birth centers connected to hospitals". They can alao administer pitocin if needed.

If Type 1 Diabetes is the only high risk thing for my pregnancy, can I forgo an obstetrician? I am asking because at this time I am feeling pretty against hospitals, forced episiotomys, epidurals, and absent docs.

What are your thoughts?

SLGILL1978

I am also a diabetic, but I wasn't able to have a doula or midwife. I had a great OB, who checked on my every few hours and wasn't forced to do anything. Good luck in finding one!

MamaHolland

You can hire a doula at your discretion whether you are delivering at a birth center or delivering in a hospital.

As for using a birth center, different birth centers have different stipulations on which people they will take as patients based on their own rules/protocols. You would have to contact specific birth centers & inquire if you particular medical history allows you to deliver at their location.

If you are serious about a birth center then have them review your records & state whether they will take you on as a client at the birth center. If diabetes prevents you from delivering in the birth center, some midwifery practices have hospitals privileges where they can deliver you in the hospital instead of being delivered by an OBGYN. Using a midwife in a hospital setting rather than an OBGYN may decrease your chances of episiotomy, epidural, etc.

peppercorn16

@MommaHolland is right on the money! Get your doula regardless, if you would like one! Then start talking to some midwives and birth centers about policies, and consider a midwife hospital birth if necessary. I was rejected by a midwife (even though I was seeking a hospital birth) because she felt that my risk factors were "above her pay grade". You don't want someone delivering your baby who feels that way, that is for sure.

jenniferamcooper

My good friend is type 1 diabetic, and normally well controlled sugars - never met a more disciplined diabetic. Unfortunately she had huge issues near the end with high sugars and her endocrinologist and OB (who both followed her during her entire pregnancy) decided to induce at 37 weeks. Baby O was large and jaundice but otherwise healthy. My friend had issues controlling her sugars after delivery. I'd highly suggest trying to find a midwife in an attached hospital if you need immediate care like my friend did.

celebfash26

I'm a type 1 diabetic and during my first labor and delivery, I was put on an insulin drip and my blood sugars were monitored every hour during labor.  I'd be more concerned with your sugars during labor than after delivery.  It's really important that your blood sugars stay in range during labor because it can affect the baby after birth.  Also, I'm not sure why you're against hospitals, but I was not forced to do anything.  I had complete say in what I wanted to do, and I don't think there are many hospitals that force you to do something that isn't medically necessary.

PedsIsHardcore

It depends on where you live.

Where I live you have to have an OB. A midwife won't touch you. I'm a type 1 diabetic and I have an OB, MFM, and Endo. You can have just an OB and MFM, but I like all 3 of my doctors since my Endo is my PCP. We have 2 hospitals to choose from for L&D, but as a diabetic I am not given a choice. The hospital I am delivering at has L&D in the hospital and a birth care center for those low risk. Diabetics all deliver in the hospital, not the Birth Care Center. However, I am told by moms that have delivered at both, that delivering in the hospital is better because the nurses are just hands down better. The reason the doctors here are so uptight over it, is because if there is an emergency, they want access to everything at a moments notice. I don't exactly care for the hospital but we have access to everything at a moments notice so they can save my life as well as my baby's. They have specialists from the bigger city in the building and they will fly babies out if need be.