Hiya!
I had to had an "elective" C section due to severe pre-eclampsia with our little boy, at 34 wks 5 days - it was really scary as we'd been told that diabetic's baby's lungs mature more slowly than "normal" mum's by a couple of weeks or so...so maturity-wise he was 32 weeks - eek!
😱 The good news was that they had already given me the two steroid injections that they like to give if delivering early, to help baby's lungs mature. M was fine, despite an initial scare about a shadow on his lung (turned out not to be a problem) & quite bad jaundice. Things like feeding were difficult, and an early baby can be exhausting to look after (very frequent feeds etc), but he was fine. We're now pregnant again, his little sister's due date is officially 2nd April, but I've been told to expect another early one, due to my previous history & the fact I've had diabetes for 3 decades now!
So we're planning for sometime in early March!
From what I have heard of the risks, I would be much happier delivering by C section at 38 weeks (I'd be quite glad to get that far lol!) than taking a chance of a "normal" delivery and risking losing everything...sorry if that sounds harsh, it's not meant to, it's just that last time round I was so sold on all the NCT rubbish (ie if you don't have a natural, pain relief free birth you're somehow a failure as a mother!) that I was miserable afterwards...how silly of me! I have a wonderful, feisty, rascally little boy & that's the only thing that matters. Don't let people scare you about a c section either - ours was a really good experience - the consultant was wonderful, even prompting my hubby to check he camera was ok & take pictures! (Not as ghastly/tasteless as they sound, promise!!) It was all very calm & controlled, and baby was safe. I guess I'm starting (belatedly!) to realise that maybe a diabetic pregnancy is all about pragmatic compromise in the interests of a good outcome. Guess we are just aren't going to get the homeopathic, whale-music in a birth pool home-birth experience some deluded people think is the only valid way to have a baby!
🙄
I know it's really hard not to stress (from my name you'll guess I'm one of the worst!), but the obst consultants seem a sensible lot & I certainly trust ours...which coming from me is very high praise!
Hope the above helps! All the very best,
Twitchy x