WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for March, 1997: Re: Macrosomia, Diabetes

Re: Macrosomia, Diabetes

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Tue, 18 Mar 1997 14:32:18 -0500 (EST)

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Maybe in reply to: Sonja: "Macrosomia, Diabetes"

Sonja,

I was so sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like you were borderline for some of the risk factors, including gestational diabetes (only my personal-experienced non-medical opinion!). Just thought I'd share a little of my experience in case it helps you.

I gave birth 18 months ago (I was 34) and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my 7th month (pregnancy-related, disappeared after the birth). Once diagnosed, my OB discussed a lot of the increased risks and the procedures and extra care that would be taken because of it. He was (and is) a great doctor! Mine was not diet-controlled, so in addition to the diet I was on twice-daily insulin injections, after being referred to an endocrinologist. My OB explained that risks and complications included macrosomia, increased chance of a breech baby and therefore increased c-section rates, the possibility of the baby being born hypoglycemic, and an increased risk of a stillborn baby. The last was a kind of catch-22 position...the risk of having a stillborn baby is much greater if a diabetic mother carries to term, so my OB didn't want to wait until my 40th week to deliver. On the other hand, babies of diabetics tend to have delayed lung maturity, so my OB didn't want to deliver too early and have respiratory problems to worry about. I felt like I was in a very precarious position! I had so much fluid that my OB couldn't tell size or position, so I was sent for another ultrasound at 36 weeks which showed an estimated weight of 9 lbs and a breech baby. I realize that ultrasounds aren't definitive and do have an error factor, but in my case the ultrasound was very accurate, because I gave birth a week later to a 9 lb 10 oz baby. My son was delivered by c-section because my OB didn't believe that versions were worth the risk with larger babies (and judging by the estimated size, even if he hadn't been breech that c-section was sounding pretty good!)

It was all pretty scary and when you're pregnant you're consumed with thoughts of the baby so all of these risks and possibilities kept playing out in my mind, causing some extra stress, but I will always be thankful for my OB and the fact that he shared all of the information with me and answered every question I asked. Following all the advice and all the treatment led to a great outcome.

I can only imagine what you've been through and how frightening it must be to think of trying again, but please keep in mind that IF you decide to become pregnant again, your OB will be aware of your past history and will most likely treat your pregnancy as high risk. You will be monitored carefully from the beginning of your pregnancy and they will be aware of the risk factors. If an issue, they will determine the most appropriate time to deliver you to preserve the health of your baby (and what's best for you). I don't think there's much of a chance that you would have a similar outcome.

If you'd like to talk more, please feel free to e-mail me and I'll help you any way that I can! I just figured the rest of the list might get bored with the details! :-)

I wish you the best, Sonja!

Darcy Johnson

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Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "To Sonya"
Maybe in reply to: Sonja: "Macrosomia, Diabetes"

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