You are here:

Childbirth/Gestational Diabetes and Labour

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/27/2009


Question
Hi Doctor. My wife has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and the gyne says that she needs to have a C section as it is high risk. The scan revealed that the baby is not in breech or large (he is only 2667g) please advise whether vaginal birth is too risky or whether i should agree to a caesarian.

Answer
Ahmed,



Gestational diabetes does not automatically make her pregnancy high-risk, especially if she is not insulin-dependent.  There is no research that supports a c-section must be done and that vaginal birth is not an option - it just sounds like this is what the doctor thinks, without any research to back up his opinion.


So, I would ask the doctor what research he is using to tell you she has no options and that she's high risk.  If he can't back up his opinion, they you may need to get a second opinion from a different doctor.


For more information on gestational diabetes visit:

http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html
http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/gestational-diabetes-treatment.html
http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/treatment-for-gestational-diabetes.html


Best,
Catherine  

Childbirth

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.