induced because of gestational diabetes

[deadexplosion]

Hi all,

Honestly, I'm not sure if I've ever posted here before. I've been a member since I found out I was pregnant and now I'm 35 weeks. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 26 weeks and have been so far controlling it with diet and exercise although this is becoming more and more of an intense struggle.

Anyway, at my appointment with

Comments

[john_stevens_x0]

I don't have experience with it personally (as I just got my first ever BFP on Monday -- yay!), however, I work in labor & delivery at my local hospital and it is very, very common for ladies with GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) to be induced around 38/39 weeks. Actually, the majority of inductions we have scheduled for medical reasons (instead of, say, post dates) are for GDM. One of the main reasons for being induced, I believe, is that mothers with GDM are at a higer risk for having a baby with macrosomia. But yeah, to answer your question, it's super common, at least with the OB practice we work with at my hospital. :)

[willsjoy]

If there's nothing wrong with mom or baby, I'm 100% against inductions. While moms with GD are more likely to have large babies, even the ACOG does not recommend induction for a "big" baby. You dramatically increase your chances of a c-section, problems nursing, and lots of other complications just by being induced. Did your OB have a reason other than just "you have GD?"

[thetimetocry]

They typically induce early because the placenta of moms with GD and on insulin, deteriorates earlier than moms without complications (which highers the rate of still birth during labor).

So thats why they induce early... it's not just based on weight of the baby.

The deterioration of the placenta is also why they induce moms later than 41 weeks because it increases still birth rates.

anything and everything should be done to keep mom and baby healthy and if it includes early induction so be it.

[the_laugh]

Thank you.

[willsjoy]

She asked for my opinion on inductions and I gave it. Admittedly I don't know a lot about GD. I did ask if her doc gave a reason, since it didn't sound like he was explaining it to her. If that is the case with GD (and with this woman specifically) than so be it, I would make the same decision, but lets not pretend like a large portion of inductions are done for bogus reasons that have nothing to do with keeping mom and baby healthy.

Whether or not the placenta deteriorates past 41 weeks has actually been refuted in several studies. I know lots of moms that went til 44-45 weeks with no issue. I realize that's just my experience, but there it is.

[the_laugh]

Ehhh, I have real diabetes and I didn't get induced until 39 weeks and 5 days.

I had a ton of diabetes issues in the last month of my pregnancy and was put on bedrest. However, my daughter rocked all the NST tests so they saw no reason to induce me sooner and had me go as long as possible. I think if she didn't respond so well, it would have been a different story.

[urbunnie]

When I had GD 5 years ago, they didn't induce until my due date. I'm not sure if the regulations have changed though. I have it again with my third pregnancy (not my second) and they've completely restructured the diet and monitoring. I haven't asked about my induction yet, but assumed it would be by my due date. If it's a week early, I'll be surprised, but I doubt I'll go that long anyway based on my last two babies.

[skye_blue]

my ob pushed me to have a c section. i also took insulin. preggo again and do not have sugar. the ob is waiting for it i guess..maybe a 2nd opinion?

[deadexplosion]

mine has almost completely ruled out a cesarean which is kind of funny because part of me kind of wanted one and I even thought about asking for an elective cesarean (although apparently he has only ever done 2 of them ever because he's against them).

i'm not on insulin yet... I'm just seeing how long I can hold off for!!