Curiosity Poll: GD and C-section

APSnewmex · January 2013

So my link wouldn't work to post this as a poll, but I was wondering how many of the c-section ladies happen to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes? I've heard that GD can significantly increase the chances of needing c-section and, now that I've been diagnosed, I can't seem to get a straight answer from the docs.

XCrissCrossX · January 2013

I know that GD can cause larger birth weights so I imagine that may cause higher instances of c-section. I didn't have GD but I did have a big baby and my doc was very opposed to me trying to deliver vaginally.

I expect if your GD comes with complications they may need to deliver early which may cause a need for a c-section.

Otherwise, I have never heard of that. Maybe ask on the High-Risk board as well? I think there are several GD ladies over there.

theburitanii · January 2013

I know in my case, I was induced with my first child due to gestational diabetes, which after 17hrs of labor, I stalled and that is when I went to for a C-section. This time around, I do not have it and opted for a C-section. I don't know if gestational diabetes so much increases your chance of C-section as much as being induced does, in my opinion. I hope that helps a little.

Good Luck!

Neener73 · January 2013

I had GD and a c-section. My GD was diet-controlled and LO didn't have any blood sugar problems after he was born. He had been measuring big (2-4 weeks ahead) since 10 weeks, so he was just a big baby.

DS weighed 10 lb 6 oz (22") when he was delivered via c-section at 39w2d. At 38w4d, his weight was estimated to be 9 lb 15 oz. His abdomen was measuring bigger than his head, so my OB wasn't willing to induce. She was afraid that I would deliver the head and have trouble delivering the rest of the baby. She was willing to let me wait to see if I went into labor on my own but also stressed that the longer it took for me to go into labor, the bigger he would grow. According to my OB, I was the first patient she encouraged to have a c-section due to the baby being big.

Angela814 · January 2013

Not for me. No GD. 2 c-sections. 2 large babies - 9 lbs 2 oz (10 days late) and 9 lbs 4 oz (2 days late)

DH was 10 1/2 lbs at birth. His brother was almost 9 lbs. DH is 6'3' and his brother is 6'2". Apparently my babies take after his side of the family.

Worcbride · January 2013

first C-section was unplanned--no GD issues; second was a RCS and again no GD issues

gracefullywild · January 2013

Yes, GD. Yes, C-Section. Although my c-section wasn't planned.

heathbar10210 · January 2013

Had GD that was diet controlled and had an unplanned c-section.

onlymeggan · January 2013

GD both times, planned c-section both times. The c-section is due to my back injury not my GD; I stand the risk of furthering the damage to my back if I try pushing. It just worked out to be a bonus that my first was over 10 lbs and this one will probably be about the same.

magdalina.h · January 2013

Nope. I had an emergency one at 28w4d due to my cord failing and then a rcs.

christine6980 · January 2013

I had gestational diabetes, but only had a c-section because her heart rate would drop every contraction I had. She ironically was a very small baby. I had her early at almost 36 weeks and she was only 5 lbs 3 oz when she was born. It really depends on how your pregnancy progresses and how big baby is...

mhaley1107 · January 2013

I had GD and an unplanned c section because I wasn't progressing past 6 cm.

Vana&Renn · January 2013

christine6980:
I had gestational diabetes, but only had a c-section because her heart rate would drop every contraction I had. She ironically was a very small baby. I had her early at almost 36 weeks and she was only 5 lbs 3 oz when she was born. It really depends on how your pregnancy progresses and how big baby is...

I was in a very similar situation, I was induced because between growth ultrasounds at 32 weeks - 36 weeks my son dropped from the 58th % to the 15th %, and then after a while every contraction made his heart rate drop.I also had GD

nosoup4u · January 2013

Well, I think the rate of c/s with GD is increased because some doctors hedge their bets that the baby will be too big to birth, so either offer a c/s in the first place, or induce (which has a greater chance ending in a c/s).

Kie310 · February 2013

I had GD with both my pregnancies & both c/s. The first was because I was pre-e. was induced at 37 weeks & it failed. Not GD related. The second was a RCS at 39 weeks because my doctor wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks and I decided to have my son in 2012 to keep it all under one year of insurance and not have to meet another deductible. Not GD related.

capulet · February 2013

I had c-sections with both babies (first was emergency, second was planned RCS). I had diet-controlled GD with #2. I actually ended up going into labor with him before my scheduled RCS at 38w4d and he was 7 lb. 3 oz. at birth, 10 oz. less than DD, so I think chances are good I would have been able to VBAC him if I'd wanted to. I am not really sure because due to the prior c/s my OBs would not have wanted me to go much past 40 weeks anyway, but I think they would have let me try for a vaginal birth with DS as long as I didn't go past my EDD. If I hadn't had a previous c/s they might have allowed me to go longer depending on how the fetal monitoring/NSTs went. I have several friends who had GD and successful vaginal births.

APSnewmex · February 2013

Thank you ladies!! I appreciate all the feedback. Sounds like they're pushing to induce me by 39wks--and now they've just added that apparently I have oligohydramnios (the kiddo is low on amniotic fluid) so it might even be earlier than that. Oy.

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