Gestational Diabetes - induction 2 weeks before due date?

**claireh** · 26-01-2009, 01:29pm

I was diagnosed last week with gestational diabetes (GD) and I am on insulin three times a day.

I have been doing a bit of reading on GD and I keep reading about people with GD being induced two weeks early.

I was wondering what experiences others have had. Were you induced early and if so what was the reason for it?

I have a follow up appointment at St Thomas' on Wednesday and I will obviously ask about early delivery etc but it would be interesting to read others experiences in the interim.

Thank you.

**Annie Goolahey** · 26-01-2009, 01:48pm

My sousin has diabetes (not gestational) and delivered both her girls early (c-sections though, not induced). She did have other complications with her first (severe swelling, BP etc) but I think it is fairly standard to have an earlier delivery as GD babies can be bigger.

I think Myzzterri had GD -so maybe she can offer more advice

**Baggy** · 26-01-2009, 01:55pm

I was induced a week before, but that was because my Diabetes was uncontrolled and I have precipitous labours, so it more a case of me being alone when I delivered and the baby at risk from going into a diabetic coma.
They would've been happy for me to go into labour naturally otherwise.

**banana** · 26-01-2009, 01:56pm

my nct friend had it and was induced on her due date. no interventions needed!!!

scarfy · 26-01-2009, 02:04pm

Originally Posted by banana

my nct friend had it and was induced on her due date. no interventions needed!!!

Exactly the same with me. They realised my body was struggling when i was 39 weeks (they couldnt make up their minds if i had diabeties or not!!!!!!) so i was induced a few days later on my due date. Was quite straightforward, no interventions after the induction, although my bsugar was constantly monitored through labour, with insulin on standby 'just incase'.

**Rez** · 26-01-2009, 02:14pm

I had it both times, both insulin dependant.

DD was breech so I was booked in for a c-section at 38+2 but I had no problems from the diabetes with her. With DS I was going to go for a VBAC but his growth started to decline so I had another section, again at 38+2.

I have heard many differing reports, maybe it depends on your consultant. By the end of both pregnancies though I was ready and wouldn't have turned down induction or a section!

**claireh** · 26-01-2009, 02:33pm

Thank you for your replies. It has been really useful to read about your experiences and those of family / friends.

It sounds like I won't be going far beyond my due date anyway.

I had read that placental function can decrease towards term with GD and that is why early induction was usually advised.

**cheeky_biscuit** · 26-01-2009, 06:30pm

My friend was induced at 39wks due to GD, all went well & speedy.

Puffy · 26-01-2009, 06:44pm

I was induced at 38 weeks due to my large baby- she was 8lb 8.5 born (huge abdomen- still has- shes like a barrell lol) and it was fab- no drugs, no intervention Good Luck

**Piggly** · 26-01-2009, 07:06pm

I had GD but did not need insulin - it was controlled via diet alone.

I was booked in for an induction at 41 weeks, but DS2 arrived at 39+6 so it was not needed!

**myzzterri** · 26-01-2009, 08:36pm

I was induced at 39 weeks as I'd had a funny episode the week before (plus I was bored waiting

)

although my GD was very well controlled with minimal insulin (a total of 15 units a day) we decided the risk prolly wasn't worth it....

TBH, there was nothing wrong with Nikki, so from that pov I could have had the home birth I'd wanted
/waited for nature to take its course(the consultant was actually ok with this) but it turned out to be a good job I had gone in as the umbilical cord was actually detaching from the placenta....

**funky_totts** · 26-01-2009, 08:47pm

big hugs to you hunny

a friend of mine who had her second baby n october was induced dead on 40 weeks with both first and second. she was also on insulin with both pregnancies, not sure why it wasnt any sooner etc but can ask for you

xxxx

**claireh** · 26-01-2009, 08:48pm

That is intersting Myzz. Glad to hear that little Nikki arrived safe and well. I am more than happy to be induced a week or two early if it helps reduce the risk of placental failure.

Thank you so much the replies. xxx

**popinjay1** · 26-01-2009, 08:51pm

I had it with the twins and I was induced at 38+5. The consultant did say it was because of the diabetes and would have been happy to let me go naturally had I not had it.

**LME** · 26-01-2009, 09:07pm

They think I probably had GD with my DS. It was mainly diet controlled, but I had about 10 units of insulin all together.

They planned to induce me at 39 weeks. DS had other ideas and arrived hours before the planned induction (they were waiting for me on the antenatal ward, while i was waiting for a bed in post natal!)

Because I had a history of pre-eclampsia I was being carefully monitored anyway and especially my placenta. It was fine at 39 weeks, all big and healthy as it should be (with DD it was all grey, hard and small - gross and probably way TMI for you there!).

After delivery DS's blood sugars were low, but I managed to express enough colostrum to keep them above the level where they insist on intervention (ie formula top up). I knew from experience with DD (also low blood sugar on arrival) that hand expressing colostrum onto a spoon and feeding them that way can possibly avoid use of formula. I'm mentioning this because I had no idea and I also didn't antcipate how much I would want to avoid formula - no rational reason for it I just knew once my DD was here I didn't want to. It was only because of my tears they suggested expressing.

Oh and another thing to get your head round. If your LO does have low blood sugars (at my hospital anyhow) they don't let you leave after 6 hours. At the hospital I was at they have to have a certain level or above for at least 12 hours or something. Both times I was hoping to escape asap and both times I've had to stay in for a night and most of the following day.

Another friend had GD, was induced on her EDD (or thereabouts) and would have been allowed home straight away, but decided to stay in to establish breastfeeding.

Oh - I also ended up spending most of my Monday afternoons at the Diabetic clinic for the last trimester. Maybe worth asking if you're likely to do the same as you might want to let your work know?

Good luck, hope all goes well.

**claireh** · 26-01-2009, 09:48pm

Thank you LME that is a really useful post. I will definitely keep the expressing colostrum in mind. I had no idea at all that was an option if the baby's blood sugars were low.

It is really good to know that we may also have to stay in hospital a bit longer . Better to be prepared and all that!

I am planning on finishing work around four weeks before my dd so hopefully it won't be too bad regarding appointments between now and then (approx 6 weeks until I finish).

Thanks for your post too Popinjay.

I am definitely going to ask at the hospital on Wednesday about their policy on induction for GD.
xxx

**IncyWincySpider** · 26-01-2009, 10:43pm

Sorry for butting in on your thread Claire but

Originally Posted by LME

After delivery DS's blood sugars were low, but I managed to express enough colostrum to keep them above the level where they insist on intervention (ie formula top up). I knew from experience with DD (also low blood sugar on arrival) that hand expressing colostrum onto a spoon and feeding them that way can possibly avoid use of formula. I'm mentioning this because I had no idea and I also didn't antcipate how much I would want to avoid formula - no rational reason for it I just knew once my DD was here I didn't want to. It was only because of my tears they suggested expressing.

Thanks for mentioning this, they insisted on formula top ups during M's first few days (no GD but he was over 10lb so they checked his sugars). I had a bit of a formula phobia so hated doing it. Will see if this can be done if the same happens again. S was over 10lb too but they didn't even test her blood sugar.