Water birth and diabetes

If the birthing facilities are available and your pregnancy is low risk, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to have a water birth. It will depend on individual circumstances. X

Thanks Gemma, I'm happy to be assessed and decisions made closer to the time but I guess what grated on me is being told so early that it's just not an option because of the diabetes diagnosis (despite v v v v good control and no other conditions). Seemed like it was just "the guidelines" but no further look into my situation and as an individual.

According to my consultant diabetes, even if well controlled, still counts as a high risk birth. It’s worth pushing back and having a conversation about a water birth closer to your due date. You might have to get out of the water more often for monitoring etc.

Yeah, I definitely will. I guess it's just annoying to be put under an umbrella when there is an element of individual circumstances involved for everyone. I understand guidelines and the purpose they serve but I disagree with just being flat out told no because of x and there's no room for discussion/individual assesment. Hmm...

You can because I did! The main ‘issue’ is (or for me) was that I was required to give birth on the delivery suite at the hospital. I was lucky that there was pool available when I went into labour, they had waterproof and cordless monitoring and baby was super chill through the whole thing. So you absolutely can have one, but it does depend on a few things that are out of your control.

I had GD and wasn’t allowed a water birth when planning

@Naomi that's good to know! Thanks Naomi! Did you have to argue your case/push for it at all with the hospital team? Any advice?

@Sophie yeah sounds similar to what I've been told. How was your birth experience in the end?

Not really. But I also think that was because I went into spontaneous labour as well. When I got there I said Amy chance of a pool and they said they would need to check and I got lucky. They did say the threshold etc for getting me out was very low so everything had to stay within perfect range otherwise I’d have to get out.

@Zara I ended up opting for a csection. I had reduced movements and they was adamant I needed to be induced, after assessing the risks and likelihood it would end in csection anyway I chose not to be induced x

@Naomi super helpful, thank you!!

@Sophie yes that makes total sense. I think if there's any very clear risk at that point that I would rather have an elective c section than risk the intervention landslide and end up with an emergency c section anyway. I suppose it just depends on the situation closer to the time!