VBAC and Gestational Diabetes

akbrown64

I lurk here a lot but this is my first post.

I had gestational diabetes (GD) when I was pregnant with my DS (he is now 10 months). I had great blood sugar control but was induced 3 days after my due date because my doctor was concerned that DS was going to grow a lot the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I was in labor for 2 days because it took a long time for me to dilate. I finally ended up with a c/s after 3 hours of pushing because my DS had turned face up and was crooked while I was in labor, plus I developed uterine fatigue due to contracting for so long. I kind of regret my induction decision because I did have such great control blood sugar control and DS was average size on u/s a few weeks before I was induced. I kind of feel like I let my doctor convince me to do it. He felt the risk of waiting to have the baby was greater than the risk of c/s. However, I'm not sure if I wouldn't have ended up with a c-section if I would have gone into labor on my own.

My doctor is supportive of VBAC if possible when we decide to have baby #2 (which won't be for a while). One thing we haven't talked about is if he will be supportive if I have GD with the next baby. GD already puts me at risk for other things but I'm hopeful that I would be able to have good control the second time around. I'm sure it is something we will talk about when the time comes but I want to do some investigating on my own.

 I'm interested to know if there is anyone else out there who had GD and tried for a  VBAC. Was it successful? Is there anything I should know or talk to my doctor about? Any other thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!

tawillers

I'm not there yet, but I'm hoping for a vbac with GD.  I didn't have GD with my first but have it now.

My doctor originally told me I couldn't go past my due date because of the GD, but told me on Thursday he may allow me to go one week past my EDD if things are still looking this good (and the placenta is still functioning properly).

Sorry I'm not any help.

chicsub

I had GD this time and not last time.  I had DD a day after my EDD and at my 40w appointment there was no talk of induction, but I was also on the verge of going into labor (that was my first internal and they could stretch to 6 cm, bag bulging, 90% effaced). 

Were you diet-controlled?  I think that's a big x factor with GD and VBACs or inductions in general.  I was and gained 1/2 the weight that I did with DS and had only two elevated readings the whole time (Xmas day and NYE night), so the only difference was NSTs towards the end (my growth u/s was optional). 

If you were diet-controlled last time, I would honestly be a little leery of staying with that doc if they induced you b/c of baby's size.  How big was your LO?  DD was 8 lb. 11 oz., but she was proportionate (so size wasn't related to GD) and our families just don't have petite babies.

I always like to direct people to this site, if you haven't seen it already: https://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/gd/gd_index.html

jen5-03

I had diet-controlled GD and had a successful vbac at 41wk 2d. I was not induced. I had a c/s lined up for the next morning, 41wk 3d was as far as my OB wanted me to go. I was not dilated, effaced, and the baby had not dropped at 40wk or even at 41wk. I went from "nothing happening" to just starting labor and 29 hours later I had a baby.

What pp said about diet-controlled vs. needing medicine for GD is my understanding of it too. If you need meds, I think they are more likely to push to have the baby early because it causes the placenta to age faster.

I think it's important to remember that GD is not something that you have complete control over. You control your diet, but the placenta is really in charge. And sometimes the placenta just isn't happy no matter what you eat and you'll need meds.

FWIW, my DD was born at 39wk, 8lb 1oz. DS was born at 41wk 2d and weighed 8lb 9oz. So with 3 weeks extra gestational time, and having GD, he really wasn't "big".

Oh, and if the doctor you're talking about using is the same doctor that you feel talked you into an induction that you don't think you should have had, then SWITCH NOW.

akbrown64

Thanks for the information. This is very helpful. I was diet controlled last time and had great control. DS was 7 lbs 11 oz. I'm hoping I would be that lucky the second time around (I'm anticipating I'm going to have it again).

I guess "talked into" is probably the wrong wording. I probably didn't speak up enough about my concerns because he gave me enough statistics about harm to the baby or me to make me put my gut reaction to the back of my mind. I honestly think my doctor would be willing to listen to me and work together on things if possible. I know I'm going to question him a lot before I get pregnant and at the beginning of my future pregnancy. If he doesn't seem on board with my decisions, then I will definitely find another doctor.