5 Things to Do If You Have Gestational Diabetes
You have found out you have gestational diabetes. What do you need to think about doing in preparation for your birth and post natal time.
1. Antenatal Expression for Gestational Diabetes
Hand expression in pregnancy means that you can build a store of colostrum for when baby is born. Even if you get the tiddliest bit off this is ok. These droplets count 💧 Start at 36 weeks and do a couple of minutes every day in a syringe. Freeze until baby is here.
2. Use EBRAN
Knowing how to speak to your obstetrician and midwife to make choices is so important. So that when they say, “I’ll book your induction in for 39 weeks” you can say “Hold the phone ✋🏼 Tell me the risks, benefits & alternatives please” It’s not about declining an induction purely cos you don’t want it. It’s about taking ownership of your choices and being in control. (This is covered in The Birth Chapter)
3. Know your birth choices when you have gestational diabetes
Having GDM you’re more likely to be advised against certain things. This could be from birthing in a midwife led unit to having a water birth. It’s important again that you know how to get access to these things if you still want it. But, it’s also important that you feel happy enough with the techniques that you’ve got so that if you choose that a waterbirth is no longer the right option for you, you don’t feel like you’re left with no plan. Did you know you can still use hypnobirthing with gestational diabetes.
4. Bring extra baby clothes
Including a cardigan & hat. Baby’s of mothers with GDM are more likely to get cold. This coldness is then more likely to drop blood sugars, then they’re more likely to get cold. And the cycle continues. So pack some cardigans, some hats and remember skin to skin is great for heating up baby too (if you’re warm that is!)
5. Plan your first post natal meal
Maybe the most important tip out the lot 😉 You’ve most likely made some sacrifices this pregnancy having GDM so think of that post birth meal. It could be that you’ll order a pizza to the hospital after or your partner will cook you a massive bowl of pasta and cheesecake pudding for when it’s home time.
Want to know more about gestational diabetes and if it will effect your birth . Read the next blog : What does having Gestational Diabetes mean for pregnancy and birth?
