Delivery
The aim for women with diabetes is to have a vaginal birth at between 38-40 weeks as this is considered the safest time for birth. Unfortunately, women rarely go into spontaneous labour prior to 40 weeks, so women with diabetes often face a higher risk of induction and therefore a higher risk of caesarean section.
It is important for women with diabetes to be managed using a sliding insulin scale during labour and birth. Can you explain what a sliding scale is?
Managing a mother with diabetes in labour:
- Multidisciplinary team involvement
- Delivery in a unit with neonatal unit attached – inform neonatal unit when mother in labour
- Management with sliding scale of insulin
- Continuous cardiotocograph monitoring
- Awareness of potential risk of shoulder dystocia at birth
- Paediatrician present at birth
- Early breastfeed if possible after birth (this lowers risk of newborn hypoglycaemia)