Dani’s Birth of a Daughter

I had gestational diabetes with my son so it was no surprise when I got pregnant with my daughter that I developed it again. I wasn't worried though. By this time I was a pro. I had seen a dietician in my first pregnancy as well as two diabetes specialists. I knew how to monitor my sugar levels, what foods did and didn't work for me. I actually managed my diabetes better the second time around. There was very little sugar in my urine when I was pregnant with my daughter.

I saw my doctor every week and had weekly ultrasounds to closely monitor our baby's growth (since babies of mothers who have diabetes tend to get big faster). On one of my routine visits, I peed on the dipstick and was surprised to see very little sugar in my pee stream but a LOT of protein in my urine. The square representing protein actually turned dark green. 10 minutes later my doctor took my blood pressure and it was 140/100. He sent me to the hospital for blood work and fetal monitoring.

The baby was fine but my blood work showed my liver enzyme level was rising and my platelet count was going down. They kept me until my blood pressure went down to 140/90, prescribed me a medication to help with my newfound hypertension and sent me home.

Over the next week, I developed the worst headache of my life. Another week later, my cheeks began to flush. I began to see stars in my eyes every time I lifted my 15 month old son. I generally felt like crap all the time. Finally, during another routine visit when I was just 37 weeks pregnant, my doctor decided my liver enzyme and platelet levels were dangerous enough that I needed to be delivered. Like, right away. Because my blood pressure was now 160/105.

Now, I know to most women, 37 weeks is considered term and isn't so scary. But let's rewind here, I had gestational diabetes. Along with the risk of the baby getting too big too fast, an additional risk is delayed lung development. My baby's lungs were probably not yet mature enough. After much debate on whether or not I should be delivered in a bigger hospital with a better NICU about an hour away, a pediatrician decided we could deliver in my hometown but that baby would be airlifted away if necessary. This was really scary to me because if this happened, I wouldn't be able to go with the baby right away since I was having a c-section.

I was scared stiff. I had a c-section with my son but let me tell you...when you know you're going in for a c-section, it's a million times scarier. Especially when there is a possibility your baby isn't going to be able to breathe. I was given a spinal, a catheter was placed in, and then the anesthesiologist gave me some gravol because the medication from my spinal made me nauseous. The anesthesiologist informed me that my doctor was pinching me very hard. I couldn't feel a thing so they began. Once they made the first incision, my fiancé was brought in.

I can't remember much from this point on except that I felt sick and afraid, because who really enjoys being awake for major abdominal surgery? There was no pain, just pressure. A lot of pulling and tugging going on, but you can't feel anything when you're actually being cut open (such a relief). Within minutes, I heard some gurgling, felt one final major tug, and then I heard one of the most beautiful screams I'd ever heard in my life. We had a little girl (we were expecting a boy) and she was beautiful, healthy, and breathing perfectly fine on her own.

I was brought in to recovery where I had to wait a while to see my daughter, because after surgery my blood pressure sky rocketed again (apparently this is quite common after giving birth when you have pre-eclampsia). A nurse suggested that holding my new daughter may actually help with my blood pressure, so they put her in my arms and low and behold, my pressure immediately began to stabilize.

After two unhealthy pregnancies, and seeing the miracle of both of my children born healthy, I've decided I'm done having children. I'd like to be alive to see my babies grow up and I fear my body just wouldn't survive another pregnancy. Best of luck to all mothers to be!

Tags: gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia, hypertension, c-section birth stories, ceserean section birth stories, c-section, birth, birth stories, type II diabetes, 37 weeks gestation, birth stories on demand, child birth stories