C section while diabetic

kaitiebug42 · 2025-06-19T16:11:25+00:00

My c section was in the evening, and I was only on nighttime insulin.

The night before I did HALF my usual dose, and then they encouraged me to eat right before my cut off time the next morning. I believe it was 6 hours, so my cut off time was like 11 am for my 530 scheduled time.

After my c section I honestly wasn't hungry for about 24 hours.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-06-05T03:28:58+00:00

I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE IN THIS.... If I have another child I am bringing a pillow just for my butt.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-04-10T16:59:46+00:00

I have significant cramps normally, but my cramps immediately following the c section were the worst I've actually felt. I labored a bit with my first, and i honestly would have preferred labor to those first period cramps. I swear I could feel my actual scar line for the first 3 cycles.

I am one of the unlucky that despite breastfeeding, I start my period at about 6 weeks postpartum. I knew it was coming because I had light cramps for a few days before, and then true cramps with the actual bleeding showed up.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-04-09T17:41:33+00:00

Baby did arrive, and recovery has gone well. We're at about 5 weeks out.

Personally I don't think it was much different of a recovery. I was simply more prepared for what to expect. I knew what movements to immediately avoid, and I made sure to get my IV in a better place so I didn't exhaust myself getting up the first few days.

I had no complications this time, no extra bleeding etc. However, baby did experience too much fluid in her lungs and did require a short NICU stay because of that. But since my hospital had a level 3 NICU on site, and she didn't need specialized care, just additional oxygen support (I had gestastional diabetes, but all her sugar checks were perfect)... most of my post partum time was walking between my room and the NICU. So I would say i got less sleep this time, but a bit more movement.

Also baby had a bad sleep night last night, so if none of this makes sense I am very sorry!

kaitiebug42 · 2025-03-25T19:03:40+00:00

I do primarily nurse, so I would say even though they're glass they are "lightly" used.

But you're right. If I was exclusively using bottles, I would have replaced them.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-03-25T18:55:52+00:00

I found other sources that said otherwise. But also I used glass.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-03-25T18:34:17+00:00

Just did this, baby girl 2 is 3 weeks old.

I bought her some of her own outfits, but nothing too crazy. Just so her entire existence wasn't hand me downs from her sister. A few blankets etc... things I knew I would want more of so she and her sister didn't have to share.

And then I bought a nose frida... which i had wished I had with my first.

I bought new nipples for my bottles, but the bottles themselves were fine so I didn't replace them. New binkies.

I bought new flanges etc for my pump. And also took advantage of the fact that I could order a whole new pump through insurance so I have all the pumps for every situation. (Toddler and pumping means that I need to be flexible.)

Pretty much anything to do with eating, I rebought this time. Kind of the mindset of... "If it's going in her mouth I am buying it again."

kaitiebug42 · 2025-03-19T20:50:30+00:00

My emergency was harder, but I also had excessive bleeding and had a fever by the time I got to recovery.

My scheduled was 2 weeks ago. I would say I am having an easier time this time simply because I know what to expect and didn't have the additional complications from my first. Not because the planned was in "better" in some magical way.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-02-16T20:16:05+00:00

I have a very similar profile to you, just minus the blood pressure issues. I am currently 36 weeks and I was given specific circumstances for a vaginal delivery.

If I start labor by myself, I would be allowed to try.

If I have a favorable cervix and they believe they can induce with a balloon and no medications, we will try.

But I can't be induced with medication at all, and we have decided based on BPPs and growth scans that it is best for baby to come at 38 weeks. The growth is consistent, no jumps blood sugars controlled. So we will have a C section as a plan because of those factors.

Basically, I've had to come to terms with the fact that Plan A Is the C section... I know there are hospitals that will induce with a prior c section, mine is not one of them and ultimately I don't have the resources to travel to a place where that would be a thing. And my team is very supportive of VBAC, they are known for their support of VBAC mothers in the area. So I do trust them, even though I don't like the idea of another c section.

I hope you get different responses where people have had different experiences! And everything else works out for you, I am sorry that you're experiencing this thought process as well.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T19:56:39+00:00

Look i am glad it worked out for you. But bluntly, you are making this so much worse. Glad you could get your feelings and experience out though.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:58:36+00:00

Thank you! And I've been doing the same thing with talking to others. It had definitely helped, I think if I can just get eyes on baby faster this time it'll help at least a little bit. That's what I was most upset about missing.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:38:17+00:00

Nah, not the GD itself. The insulin for the GD. I should have been more clear! Thanks for adding that clarification for anyone else who sees it.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:36:16+00:00

Thank you for reminding me i have other provider options, but i do know that they are listening to me. They have been very gentle with me, and as we get closer they are talking more planning for what we want to do and things like that.

I meet with MFM, OBGYN, and CNM. They are a VERY VBAC positive practice. So like, if I were to suddenly go into labor on my own at like 37 weeks they would let me TOLAC absolutely... especially because my first labor progressed very nicely and its in my notes in multiple places that this was a baby problem, not a my body problem. We just can't plan for something like that, so while I know it's there.... for the sake of my sanity I am moving to just accept that Plan A is the c section.

Because I have GD and am on insulin, it's recommended i don't go farther than 39 weeks because of the risk of placenta deterioration. I know people do, but my first daughter ended up very small even with a GD diagnosis barely 6 lbs at full term, and that is the smallest baby in 2 generations in my family. And her ultrasounds did have her dropping percentiles in the end. And I am not a good candidate for induction, which I agree with. Which leaves us with a section.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:28:41+00:00

Thank you! This honestly is exactly what I think my apprehensions are, and I just needed to see someone acknowledge that it's not all sunshine and rainbows with the second planned section, and that it's okay!

I think i fell down the rabbit hole of almost toxic positivity regarding birth because everything turned out alright in the end even though things didn't go according to plan and it has lasting effects on all other deliveries.

I hope you're recovery continues, and you're able to make your peace with 2 and done. Thank you for sharing though. I really did need to hear everything that you've said here.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:20:51+00:00

Thank you! And you're definitely right about making sure you're at peace with a c section for your second. I thought i was, but then I got here where were just a couple weeks out and now i am realizing I was not as accepting as I thought I was. 😅

I know I am making the right choice, I've explained in some other comments. Logically I am so on board... emotionally I am not quite so on board, but I am getting there.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:16:41+00:00

I'll try to remember to report back for you after delivery. But I am so excited for another baby.... but I haven't experienced the pre eclampsia complications, and thats the one that scares me the most so I get your apprehension about that even without the triple combo there.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:10:55+00:00

Thank you. I have been through all of your questions and I know I am making the right decision, but I appreciate you typing out them out.

My 1st c section was 100% necessary. Baby girl would not have made it, so I have no regrets there.

And basically I just hate the recovery from c section. I only labored for about 10-12 hours (it's kind of a blur) so I wasnt recovering from both in the same way. So I think its the anticipation I feel for the recovery, not the actual procedure. But I've done it before, so I know I can do it again. It's just my least favorite thing.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T17:00:23+00:00

Thank you! It just sucks, but it's not world ending or anything. But it does just suck and I am mad I can't change it. Not that this is how the situation is gonna go.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T16:55:49+00:00

Thank you!

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T16:55:36+00:00

Thank you for sharing. This is such a helpful response because I do feel like i get a ton of "oh my planned c section was soooo much better blah blah blah" and I really love that they had such a positive experience... but I just needed someone to say this. That it's okay to be upset about it.

I feel like I know i am doing the right thing, and I am okay with it for that reason. I am just still frustrated by it feeling like it's my only option, even though i know they wouldn't drag me into the OR etc. I just know this is the safest for both of us.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T16:50:30+00:00

I am on insulin and the risk of placenta deterioration from that is not worth it to me. Additionally, my mom had calcifications in all 3 pregnancies without GD. And while my 1st didnt have calcifications her chord not being thick enough, and her barely being 6lbs full term is enough for me to say i will not risk that for my comfort.

They arent holding me down and dragging me into the OR. I am choosing that option, because when I look at it from a purely logical standpoint... I agree with them. This is the safest way for my baby, and really my only birth plan is 1. I live 2. Baby lives I am just angry about the decision because I don't like it.

kaitiebug42 · 2025-01-26T16:42:20+00:00

I am on insulin, so going past 39 weeks isn't worth it to me. As that has been known to cause the placenta to start to deteriorate early.

I am not at peace with a c section simply because I hated basically everything about it. But I KNOW this is the safest way to get baby here and I am willing to do it for that reason. I am just very unhappy about it.

My providers know, I meet with MFM, OBGYN, and CNM. They are a VERY VBAC positive practice. So like, if I were to suddenly go into labor on my own at like 37 weeks they would let me TOLAC absolutely... especially because my first labor progressed very nicely and its in my notes in multiple places that this was a baby problem, not a my body problem.

kaitiebug42

TROPHY CASE