Community› The Bump Message Boards› Natural Birth
Natural Birth
New Discussion

diabetes and natural birth

ec0983ec0983 member
in Natural Birth

i have a co-worker who is just the sweetest thing in the world.  she's not ready for kiddos yet, but she has diabetes and was discussing with her doctor what that means for when she is ready to have children.  her endocrinologist told her it would be safest for her to have a c/s so that they could monitor and control her blood sugar and insulin most effectively, and he also told her that the physical intensity of natural labor would be harmful to her because it would be difficult to manage her sugar.

after having and loving a natural birth, and hearing her say how sad she is that she can't choose to do that, i encouraged her to do some research before resigning herself to only being able to have sections.  but it got me thinking- does anyone on here have (or know someone with) diabetes and successfully had a natural birth?  was i encouraging her when i should have kept my mouth shut, or is it possible?

DSCN9655

in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, for you
1 thessalonians 5:18
Report Reply to Post

Re: diabetes and natural birth

  • ridedatbikeridedatbike member
    i don't know if she had a successful natural birth but IM.almost positive she did not plan a cesarean. she went into labor on her own i know because she was waaaay early.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • ridedatbikeridedatbike member
    i think you gave a good suggestion.
    Report Reply
  • nosoup4unosoup4u member
    I think her best move would be to seek out an OB or MW who specializes in women w diabetes.
    DS1 - Feb 2008

    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

    Report Reply
  • opheliainwadersopheliainwaders member
    It definitely sounds like she should talk to an OB with experience working with women with diabetes. I can imagine some instances where it would be very hard to control blood sugar, like at a hospital that prohibits eating or drinking during labor, but I'd imagine a supportive OB would be able to give we good advice, particularly if her diabetes is well controlled.

    Also, I know that the underlying causes of the disease are different, but women with GD do deliver vaginally, and I'd be surprised if the management of the different types of diabetes during labor was significantly different. Then again, I'm not a doctor, so...
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"