HypnoBirthing® UK

[rb250]

Hello
I attended a fantastic hypnobirthing course in April/May this year and was all set for a natural, stress free birth in hospital at the end of July.
I was diagnosed with a borderline case of diabetes at around 30 weeks but through careful diet my blood sugar levels are nice and low and well within the target range. At a 36 week scan, my baby was of average size.

The Medical Obstetrician I saw at the hospital told me he was not prepared to let my pregnancy go beyond 39 weeks as my baby could be stillborn or be at risk of shoulder dystocia - even tho I don't actually have full blown gestational diabetes or a huge baby!
My husband and I are devastated as he talked of membrane sweeps, induced labour, waters being broken and possibly a syntocinon drip - basically everything we didn't want.

Has anyone else had an experience like this? I really want a natural birth but at the same time I don't want to take a risk. I wonder how much he was trying to scare me into doing things his way - he didn't know anything about hypnobirthing! Any experiences/advice would be welcome. Thanks.

[ockysmith]

Hi there,

Wondering if you are somebody I have taught? if not then please do get back in touch with your practitioner - we are there to help you with things like that - even though you may have finished your course it doesn't mean that the support from your teacher stops!

Anyway, do have a read of these two articles - and please do read them thoroughly, print them out and read them at least twice to digest them:

http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2008/01/michel-odent-on-gd.html

and

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gdhgoer.html

Also, this page is in particular reference to homebirths (with gestational diabetes) however it is a great reference for all, no matter where you are planning to birth:

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/title.gif

Remember you ALWAYS have OPTIONS and CHOICES in birth (this is a quote from the NICE guidelines concerning gestational diabetes: "Treatment and care should take into account women’s needs and preferences. Women with diabetes should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, in partnership with their healthcare professionals"), your job (and your birth partners, you should never attend consultant appointments alone in my opinion) is to work out which choice is the most beneficial and offers the least risk to yourself and your baby, your consultant is there to guide you in that choice, not to make one for you. Remember the BRAINS acronym you were taught and use it well!

The NICE guideilnes incidentally state that induction should be OFFERED after 38 completed weeks (i.e: 39+) and if the woman wishes to await spontaneous onset of labour (i.e: not be induced) that she should be offered weekly monitoring- so you see you do have options, your consultant has just chosen not to share these with you.

I'm sure you can still have a great birth though!

Sarah

[rb250]

Hi Sarah

Thanks so much for your reply - the articles you directed me to are really helpful and we're meeting up with our hypnobirthing practitioner on Monday.

The NICE guidelines you quote are very interesting - I get the impression the obstetrician was following protocol which is fair enough but the induction was not so much of an offer as an edict! I feel calmer and better equipped to meet him again now next Wednesday.

Thanks again,
Rachel