alarming treatment of diabetic mums in UK during birth

[Lizzie G]

Hi

Im thinking of having children in the next couple of years. I got chatting with a friend at the weekend and she told me some things that really alarmed me. Firstly, that in the UK all diabetic mothers (type 1) are induced and not 'allowed' to go full term. Secondly that there is an obsession with babies born to diabetic mums having low blood sugar, so her son was taken away from her and bottle fed every 2 hours, kept in an incubator (nothing else wrong with him) for 3 days (let me clarify, the blood sugar was ridiculously low, and she wasnt given a CHANCE to breatfeed, and he was taken away to a room and wasnt told where he was, he was apparently not in bad health at all )so eventually when she got him back he wouldnt take to breast milk. Lastly she was on a drip for insulin and they were letting her run VERY high despite her begging for insulin (BG of 14 or around 250 US units I guess without a calculator to work it)...

Has anyone else heard of any of these hideous barbaric practices (esp in UK)and if so what did you do to go about preventing them? If i keep my BG low in pregnancy i see no reason why I shouldnt go full term in my pregnancies, nor do I see why nursing staff who are not diabetes experts should be in control of my insulin and above all I do not wish for someone else to snatch away my child to be bottle fed before I have the chance to feed him or her. Im so appalled by these things.

[Lizzie G]

Hi

Im thinking of having children in the next couple of years. I got chatting with a friend at the weekend and she told me some things that really alarmed me. Firstly, that in the UK all diabetic mothers (type 1) are induced and not 'allowed' to go full term. Secondly that there is an obsession with babies born to diabetic mums having low blood sugar, so her son was taken away from her and bottle fed every 2 hours, kept in an incubator (nothing else wrong with him) for 3 days (let me clarify, the blood sugar was ridiculously low, and she wasnt given a CHANCE to breatfeed, and he was taken away to a room and wasnt told where he was, he was apparently not in bad health at all )so eventually when she got him back he wouldnt take to breast milk. Lastly she was on a drip for insulin and they were letting her run VERY high despite her begging for insulin (BG of 14 or around 250 US units I guess without a calculator to work it)...

Has anyone else heard of any of these hideous barbaric practices (esp in UK)and if so what did you do to go about preventing them? If i keep my BG low in pregnancy i see no reason why I shouldnt go full term in my pregnancies, nor do I see why nursing staff who are not diabetes experts should be in control of my insulin and above all I do not wish for someone else to snatch away my child to be bottle fed before I have the chance to feed him or her. Im so appalled by these things.

in the above i meant the baby's BG WASNT ridiculously low, sorry!!!

[alicat61]

:) Hi Lizzie,
I know little about maternity and even less about the UK system.
What I can suggest is you need to tell your GP and Obstatrician (when you have one) your fears. You also need to talk to all the nurses you meet along the pregnancy as well.
You need to be able to state what you want to happen. But remember that sometimes the Drs and Nurses make choices as they have you and your babies best interest in mind. Also ask lots of questions.

[HelenM]

Lizzie, I'm sure things vary from hospital to hospital, and from staff to staff. This is what is supposed to happen.(NICE guidelines, patient's booklet)

'Your treatment and care should take into account your personal needsand preferences, and you have the right to be fully informed and to make decisions in partnership with your healthcare team.'

'If labour has not started after 38 weeks, you should be offered induction of labour, or birth by caesarean section if your healthcare team thinks this is the best option for you. Induction of labour or caesarean section after 38 weeks may help to reduce risks for you and your baby.'

and

'Your baby should have his or her blood glucose level tested (using a special hospital blood test) 2 to 4 hours after birth to make sure that it is not too low.
You should start feeding your baby as soon as possible after birth (within 30 minutes), and then every 2 to 3 hours to help your baby’s blood glucose stay at a safe level (above 2 mmol/litre). If your baby’s blood glucose cannot be kept at a satisfactory level, he or she may need extra care. If your baby’s blood glucose level remains below 2 mmol/litre for two tests in a row or if he or she is not feeding properly, your baby may need to be fed through a tube or given a drip to help
increase his or her blood glucose.'

Guidlines here
Diabetes in pregnancy (http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=11946)

[KCP]

I know here in Nz they also induce at 38 weeks. the reason I was given was the placenta in a diabetic actually breaks down faster than that of a person in normal circumstances.
So if you imagine: normal person is 38 weeks the placenta age is 38 weeks. Diabetic placenta age would be full term.
They induce to ensure that they lower the risks as much as possible to the baby and mother by ensuring the placanta health..

Yea, ive been TTC for 7 months, but before that i spent two years getting my diabetes under control. I was also dismayed at having to be induced as it mean that i had to have any children in hospital. SO i asked for the reason and thats what i was told. I trust my maternity care team, so I dont beleive they would lie to me.
Its disappointing for me, but its the procedure here in Nz...

[Keezheekoni]

Yep it happens here in the US.

So, what I suggest is that you write out a very specific birth plan. I refuse to be induced. If my doctor feels that the placenta may be degrading, then I insist on 3x weekly NSTs on the baby, to make sure that he/she is doing fine. If induction becomes "necessary", then I will go home and attempt natural induction methods like sex :D, castor oil :puke:, black and blue cohosh mixes, nipple stimulation (use a breast pump), etc.

Once I'm in labor, they are not allowed anything past a hep lock. I keep my pump on and deliver all of my own insulin. No one is allowed to add insulin to me. They may give me food and drinks as I wish. I give myself the corrections that I need.

Once the baby is born, they are not allowed to cut the cord until it stops pulsating. Once that is done, dad is allowed to cut it. (This gives the baby any extra sugar from my blood.) They are not allowed to take my baby from me at all. Newborn procedures are delayed until the baby has nursed twice. No artificial nipples or formula are allowed *AT ALL*. If the baby needs to be supplemented (because he/she is low), I bring along frozen colostrum that I've pumped out for two weeks prior to the birth. Supplements are only to be given through finger feeding with the use of an SNS.

All newborn procedures are done at my side. There is no taking the baby out of my room. If there is something life-threatening to the baby, dad will go with the baby until mom can be there.

These are all things I've learned from having my previous children. I'm having this baby at home, the OB doesn't and won't know that... I have really fast labors, so we can claim not enough time to get to the hospital. She knows that I'll refuse induction, and will try and get me to have one, but my babies are just fine going past term, three have done it before. :)

[vicky32]

I too want children and congrats on the A1c i went from 12 to 7.2 within a year and i am trying really hard as well.