Unassisted pregnancy?

[luckymama]

Just curious as to how many people have done this. I guess it goes along with my other thread about unassisted childbirth. I have already had scans and tests during the pregnancy, but am considering not having anymore.
What i really want to know is that i failed the glucose test last week, i got a reading of 8.7, so the hosp has booked me into the formal test, where you have to starve for ages.
Anyway has anyone suspected GD or failed the first test, but not gone onto the second test? And everything turned out ok. I am worried a little about not going incase i do have GD, because i dont want my baby to be harmed.
Sorry if i have confused anyone, i really just want to know that if i do possibly have GD, could i manage it safely with diet and exercise alone or is this being really stupid?
Thanks

[~Emmylou~]

Sorry if i have confused anyone, i really just want to know that if i do possibly have GD, could i manage it safely with diet and exercise alone or is this being really stupid?
Thanks

I had GD with both of my babies, the first one I ended up on insulin, the second time I controlled it by diet alone.

The short answer to your question is that there is no way of knowing if you'll be able to control it with diet until you try.

As you can see from my experience, no two pregnancies are the same even in the same person so it's impossible to tell you that you WILL be able to keep it sufficiently under control with diet.

If you decide to have no further tests, think about hiring or buying a glucose monitor so that you can at least keep a close eye on what your blood sugars are doing so you'll know if your not controlling it properly. They cost about $50 to buy, and some places hire them out as well. At least this way you're being responsible about it.
Good luck with it.

[RoarsomeMum]

I have no ifo on the GD, but in response to the OP, I def would concider unassisted Preg in the future.

Ive had nothing but worry from the scans and tests so far. Would not do it again this way :no:

[luckymama]

em ill PM you a website :thumbsup: and recommend a book :D I am very excited about giving birth to Lucas the way natural intended :yes:

[stellarella]

I can understand the appeal of an unassisted pregnancy or birth but for me there is no desire for either. I want a homebirth with a midwife and a completely natural birth but I want someone there for support whereas an unnassited birth/pregnancy means you have no medical support/tests at all.

Some people think I am a bit radical and "out there"...a few family members thought it was radical that I had a BC birth last time :rolleyes: :laughing: LOL...wait til I tell them its a home birth next time..anyway...I appreciate some of the options medical technology has brought me...

For example I have no problem with the blood tests in early pregnancy, I have no problem with antenatal appoinments or dopplers or FHR checks etc...to me they are just aiding a healthy pregnancy and they make me feel more confident in the pregnancy.

Some people might think I am silly to need these reassurances but if it makes me happy then thats all that matters.

There are some procedures I would avoid simply because of the risks involved...for example amnios and possibly even an ultrasound next time...or at the very least I would limit it to one 20 week scan. I dont see the need for numerous scans given my health and pregnancy history.

I didnt have a glucose intolerance test for my last pregnancy as it was decided I was not at risk and didnt need it.

[Shanaynay]

I didn't have a GTT last pg either.
Next time I am going for minimal intervention in my pregnancy, mainly because I don't like doctors and hosptials, and I've had two healthy babies so far and fel confident in my body's ability to grow another healthily :wizard:
If you want to stop medical check-ups etc... go for it, but as a PP said, it woul d be a good idea to keep tabs on your glucose level etc...
Good luck
xx

[Funkychicken]

I am of the belief that our pregnancies can often be way 'overmonitored' these days but if you do have GD, then you have to manage it properly. It is a very serious condition and if not managed properly, it can threaten your baby. Most babies born to mother's with GD are larger than average as they take up a lot of excess sugar. They often gain next to no weight for some time after they are born because they can be born a couple of pounds heavier than they would have been if there was no GD present. This is not a condition that you can play around with, it is serious and needs to be treated as such. Good luck.

[bronny-jane]

i wouldnt risk it... my levels were alot lower then yours.. you should really do it...

[Duchessa]

You can usually manage GD with diet and exercise. Back in the days when I had a life, I studied naturopathy and managed a woman who had GD in the student clinic with just diet/exercise. Can be done.

[luckymama]

thanks everyone for your help :)

[kymmy]

Not sure about the GD condition but I am keen on an unhindered pregnancy and birth next time around.
As other pp said, pregnancy is sometimes over monitored and I believe in trusting your instincts over just in case methods.
With my last baby I had a late ultrasound at about 26 weeks and then was told to come back for another u/s at 33 weeks. It was false worry.
I have had three healthy babies and I am learning to trust in my body. I feel I could have done it without the midwives as they just stared at me when I was in labour. I don't want that again.

[pickles]

I had GDM with both babies. My full glucose test ( the fast / drink / 1hour / 2 hour post ) came back at 8mmol. which is within the diagnostic criteria for GDM. With careful diet and exercise i managed to keep my blood sugar in the normal range. I did not have any extra ultrasounds or monitoring. I birthed at the family birth centre under the care of midwives. I made sure i breastfed straight away to help keep babies blood sugars up. they also did two blood sugar checks on the babies which were fine.
I would want to know if i was diagnosed as GDM as i now have a 40% chance of getting type 2 diabetes in the next 15 years.
My concern with birthing at home without a midwife would be 1. shoulder dystocia - caused by a larger baby becoming stuck in the pelvis - would be difficult to deliver youself. A skilled homebirth midwife however would e able to rotate the baby to deliver the shoulders.
2. baby not feeding properly at birth resulting in low blood sugars and then requiring transfer to hospital.
3. Babies born to mothers who have GDM / type 1 diabetes have higher levels of respiratory distress.

I would go for the test as often the levels come down at the 1 hour and 2 hour post and you may find that you actually are not diagnosed with GDM.

good luck
pickles
DD 02/03
Ds 03/05

[Sheer Bliss]

I may be abused majorly for saying this, but i think if you don't go for the second test then you may be risking your babies life - and for what? The desire to stay away from modern assistance?

My sister had 3 healthy children, straight fwd pregnancies and births. Then with #4 she ended up having GD. It was diet controlled to start with, but despit her following all the rulse & exercising, her levels still rose & she ended up on insulin, and bubs induced at 38weeks. Bubs had a level of 1 when she was born!!! She needed to be on a drip for 24hrs or she could have died.

Do you know why mothers with GD are often induced? Before we had this testing an otherwise healthy bub whose mother had GD would get to 38-40weeks and just die. Yot go through all that time with your baby only to have them die a few weeks before meeting them. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but i really think you need todo a lot of research before you do something like 'self treatment' of something as serious as diabetes.

Me on the otherhand, i failed the first test and passed the second test with my first baby. There is not much to loose by having the test, but lots to loose by not having it. I really hope all goes well for you.

[Leeny]

The only thing that comes to my mind, is "better to be safe then sorry". If you just have the second test, you'll atleast know if you have GD or not, and then you can control it. If you dont know, and its not controlled, you and baby could end up quite ill. Its just a blood test, and if starving is the worst of it, why dont you go and treat yourself to a nice lunch after? :)

Good luck with whatever you decide. Alot of people fail thier first test, and pass the second. Dont stress too much :)