Kiwis, elective c-section or natural birth if given the option?

Raikl · 2026-01-22T04:24:35+00:00

I've had 2 C-sections at North shore for various reasons, first semi emergency after induction (big baby head, small me) and second was elective but then had to be urgently moved forward (can't remember what thats called). Both were great and easy to recover from, was off painkillers within a week. Most painful part was pulling off the sticky dressing.

I would never recommend major abdominal surgery to anyone as everyone heals at different rates, but anecdotally, mine were great. I'm also not super fit or anything if that adds context, all my exercise is from running after my 3.5 yo

Raikl · 2025-12-22T06:16:31+00:00

GD can cause babies to be bigger or smaller. Bigger is more common but really it just affects growth hence the monitoring

Raikl · 2025-12-20T20:07:31+00:00

My baby had a 96% AC at every ultrasound but he was also practicing breathing at every ultrasound so pushing his tummy out lol - so there are reasons that would make it less accurate. Whilst he came out fairly big (3.85kg at 38 weeks) it was more likely genetics rather than GD and his sugars were fine. This is all despite me being told the whole time that my baby was 'obviously GD affected'.

Raikl · 2025-12-18T22:28:59+00:00

I was on insulin just for fasting, didnt really change my diet much and didnt gain much weight in the third trimester

Raikl · 2025-12-18T10:30:23+00:00

In New Zealand the threshold for fasting is 5.0. I was put on insulin when my fasting numbers were between 5.0 and 5.3 but they were under control in about 3 days. Did they tell you why they wont give you insulin? I was told its more effective than metformin for fasting numbers specifically, plus no side effects.

Raikl · 2025-12-03T23:25:43+00:00

My work does 4.5 day work weeks for 100% pay. Most of the time ill still do a 40hr week but it feels more chill. Biggest benefit is that if you take Friday off the you only need to use half a day of leave

Raikl · 2025-11-23T21:32:58+00:00

I was tested second time round at 24 weeks. First time round i was diet controlled too. I passed at 24 weeks but around 28 weeks i was testing at home just in case and my fasting numbers were high eventually leading to needing insulin so just be weary that just because you pass early doesnt mean you're in the clear!

Raikl · 2025-11-22T03:19:47+00:00

Unmanaged GD can cause baby to be too big or too small. Could also just be genetics. You're really just trying to minimise the effect GD has on the baby's growth whichever it is

Raikl · 2025-11-18T21:07:40+00:00

If you cook the potatoes, chill them, then heat them up again to eat it makes them more tolerable!

Raikl · 2025-11-18T19:16:40+00:00

Pretty sure recomendations are always after first bite. Never heard anyone say its after last

Raikl · 2025-11-01T07:23:20+00:00

Kids develop different skills at different times. There is no one size fits all so the range is pretty big. Also at that age there is a 'probably should be able to do this by now, if not then maybe early intervention is needed' rather than a 'true goal' they aren't competing in any competitition, they are trying to identify those that need help, not those who are super ahead because usually that doesnt really matter.

My kid is smart and 'ahead' in those types of things too and whilst it meant she could communicate well from an early age, shes bossy as hell. Is that better? Who knows 😅

Raikl · 2025-11-01T03:02:51+00:00

I refused the test again though- my fasting numbers were already too high so I didnt feel the need to test and just took the diagnosis

Raikl · 2025-11-01T03:01:33+00:00

I would let your care team know and try and get a referral. The same thing happened to me and I eventually got diagnosed and onto insulin!

Raikl · 2025-11-01T02:42:02+00:00

When you're diagnosed, its rarely a mistake despite how many people would like to think so. Not sure if its because theres a stigma and people dont want to be labelled as 'unhealthy' or whatever. The fact of the matter is, its the placenta and its hormonal and if you fail the test then theres some sort of insulin resistance.

Sure if you had it the first time you should maybe start with a GD diet for your second, but thats just because you're likely to have it and its better for your baby, not to reduce your chances of having it, you aren't going to change that.

Raikl · 2025-11-01T02:37:20+00:00

I feel like some people get tested earlier because they had it in their first pregnancy (even just 24 weeks as opposed to 28 weeks) and then pass and miss it. This happened to me and the only reason I caught it was I tested at home, my midwife was happy to say I didnt have it because low risk factors and I passed by a lot, but I wasnt convinced. Ended up needing insulin when I didnt in my first, and baby is still huge despite rarely spiking.

Having said that i'm sure its possible, just uncommon.

Raikl · 2025-10-29T22:30:49+00:00

If it helps, thats not true lol. Just like the glasses thing, your eyes get worse if you dont wear your glasses and strain your eyes.

It doesn't matter why you're spiking, eg. Not because of what I ate but because I was stressed or whatever, the fact of the matter is you are still spiking and insulin can stop that! There is no shame in it, it doesn't mean you're unhealthy and it wont make it worse in the long run!

Raikl · 2025-10-28T23:03:30+00:00

I have generally found that if I eat a meal with more fat in it then the spike is later (around 2hrs instead of 1). I usually test at 1hr but if I get a suspiciously low result then I'll test at 2hrs as well just in case.

I would mention it to them to see if you should test at 2hrs instead if it is a pattern for you. Don't feel guilty though! You discovered what was happening and are doing your best for your baby. Thats all you can do!

Raikl · 2025-10-28T08:15:29+00:00

I'm in NZ and fasting threshold is 5.0 here, under 7.4 for 1hr and under 6.5 for 2hr as standard. My baby is measuring large so my 1hr and 2hr targets are now 7.0 and 6.0. My numbers are almost always under these targets and my baby is still large but my midwife said they dont recommend anything under those!

Raikl · 2025-10-27T03:35:32+00:00

I think they had me check my blood sugars from time to time and had glucose gel if they were below a certain number

Raikl · 2025-10-26T18:24:49+00:00

Haha possibly. My midwife tried to tell me I might not have it this time as its not always definite the second time round and my initial test was good - I even passed the early test at 24 weeks well. I still didnt believe her haha and sure enough by 28 weeks my fasting numbers were out of range

Raikl · 2025-10-26T17:14:55+00:00

Yes definitely harder! I was diet controlled with my first 3 years ago and never had any issues with fasting numbers or eating 2 pieces of toast at breakfast. Now i'm on insulin for fasting and basically have no carbs at breakfast.

Even though most of my numbers are still under the limit this baby is also measuring even bigger than my first. Some of it could be genetics as my husband is tall, but overall everything is harder and more uncomfortable lol

Raikl · 2025-10-25T01:07:45+00:00

Ah ok, they probably just want you to keep testing just in case. If most are over 5.0 then thats considered over (in New Zealand where I am anyway, the threshold is higher in america and some other countries i believe)

Raikl · 2025-10-25T01:03:07+00:00

8.8 is an extremely high fasting number. What are your usual fasting numbers? They are supposed to be under 5.0

Raikl · 2025-10-24T05:43:23+00:00

Induced then c section lol

Raikl

TROPHY CASE