I’ve seen a rise in the number of women attending my class who have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GD).
At first I thought was a coincidence, and then I listened to “The Midwife Cauldron” Postcast where Dr Rachel Reed and Katie James and there are several reasons why the diagnosis is becoming more common 🤔
In the podcast the two speak in great length about:
- The diagnosis of GD and how this has changed in recent times
- A very easy to understand explanation of exactly what diabetes is, and what GD looks like using a Pac Man analogy (brilliant!)
- The risks the diagnosis is trying to avoid
- Other risks introduced by the label
- How GD effects the Pregnant and birthing Mother
- How GD effects the baby
In summary:
- High Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs) in pregnancy alter the growth and development of the baby, increasing the chance of particular complications occurring. However, the label ‘gestational diabetes’ is problematic because it is poorly defined and there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that labelling and treatment improves outcomes.
- Guidelines do not support induction of labour for GD unless BGLs are high. Inducing women before 40 weeks with high BGLs reduces the chance of a large baby and shoulder dystocia, but increases the chance of other complications.
- Labour and birth care for women with high BGLs should centre on minimising the chance of shoulder dystocia, and supporting the baby to regulate their own BGLs after birth.
If you’ve been diagnosed with GD or you’re a birth worker I’d highly encourage a listen, it’s so long it’s been split into two podcasts 🙌🏻
Or you can read Dr Rachel Reeds article www.midwifethinking.com/2018/03/20/gestational-diabetes-beyond-the-label/
Information really is the pathway to feeling informed and confident in your choices. If an intervention is offered, if you feel educated, heard and supported in your decision, you’ll be much more likely to look back on your birth experience with a positive outlook.
And that is what it’s all about, have an empowered experience regardless of the journey.
Simone x