Gestational diabetes and induction.

[bluecathy1978]

Hi,

I have just got back from seeing my midwife. Today is the first time I have seen her since I was diagnosed with GD 2 weeks ago. She happened to mention to me that because I have GD then I would be induced at 38 weeks regardless of how in control my blood glucose levels are.
This has confussed me a bit as when I went to the hospital last week, the dietician said that I would only be induced at 38 weeks if the baby was big due to not being able to control my levels with diet/exercise or I was on insulin.

I also had a growth scan last weeks when I was 28 weeks and my next one is at 34 weeks and that is it. Is that normal?

My midwife booked me in to see her in 2 weeks aswell as my next appointment at the hospital is 30th October. She was under the impression that they should be seeing me at least every two week? I didnt even get to see a consultant last time as the clinic was running late and when the dietician had finished wth me the diabetic clinic had finished and the consultant had gone! I had to go and grab a midwife to check my BP and urine and also to get a obstetric consulatnt to check my growth scan! I was fuming!!

 

[minties]

I know I'm in another country, but I am seeing 'someone' at least once a week. I got told I had it at quite a late stage as well (35 weeks).

I see someone at the diabetes clinic every 2 weeks, they also call me every day to get my blood glucose testing numbers. I see my midwife once a week (would anyway at this stage of pregnancy), though we are skipping this week as I am seeing a consultant at the hospital on the day I'd normally see my midwife anyway, and I'm sick of all these appointments.

I haven't been told that I would have to have my baby by such-and-such date, only that it is likely I will be encouraged to have a c-section. I wouldn't be allowed to go overdue, that much I know for sure.

I had a growth scan at 34 weeks and baby was measuring on the larger side (average of 86th percentile), I have another scan this Wednesday, and the consultant this Friday.

I can't be induced due to previous emergency c-section, but I'm betting I'll have to have an elective c-section.

I've tried talking to women in my area who have had babies and GD, one got induced at 37 weeks, another was allowed to go into labour naturally. I think it all depends on the growth of the baby and how your care providers feel.

 

[bluecathy1978]

Thanks foryour reply. Hope all goes well for youI don't see my consultant for 2 weeks now. I really could do with knowing what their plans are as it is going to be close to christmas so need to plan early!!!

 

[cat_reversing]

I've been seeing either the diabetic midwife or diabetic doctor every 2 weeks, always see a different doctor though! I had a growth scan at 28 weeks and will have another at 32 and 36 weeks. I asked about being induced but the midwife said we would wait and see how things were going and that it would be my choice anyway, they would recommend a course of action but i would hve final say. This is my first so i'll probably go with what they say, we'll see. Try to speak to them about your concerns, they should be there to help you. good luck.

 

[Jaxvipe]

Most drs will not induce until after 39 weeks bc moms that have GD their babies lungs can develop slower than normal babies. My dr would not induce me any earlier due to that reason.

 

[jojo1972]

This is my second time being diagnosed with GD and I know all hospitals have different policies. At mine I was induced at 38 weeks due to me being on insulin but I ended up having a EMCS because of baby's cord coming down and not being able to put it back up. This time they have said they will break my waters at 38 weeks if my cervix is favourable due to me being on insulin again (very early this time) I have a scan at 28, 32 and 36 weeks and a membrain sweep at 37 weeks. If I was just on the metformin they would of let me go to 39 weeks and if it was diet controlled they would of let me go to 40 weeks if baby wasn't to big. Apparently the meds age the placenta quicker and thats why they deliver earlier. Hope this has helped a little xxx

 

[KatieB]

I had GD with my last pregnancy and it was controlled well with the aid of metformin twice per day. I had growth scans at 32 and 36 weeks (I was diagnosed at around 26 weeks). At my hospital if you have good glucose control and baby's growth is not off the wall (and are not on insulin) you will be offered Induction at 39 weeks, if on insulin they prefer to induce at 38 weeks. So far this pregnancy I've got growth scans tomorrow (28 weeks), then 32 and 36 weeks, when a decision will be made about induction (also dependent on whether or not I'm then on insulin by that stage). I managed to avoid induction last time as went into spontaneous labour at 38+5 and had Louis at 38+6 but I was scheduled for induction at 39 weeks. I too was told that the placenta does deteriorate quicker in GD pregnancies towards the end and that's why they also like to induce.

With this pregnancy, I was last seen at the clinic 4 weeks ago tomorrow but that's because my numbers have been really good (they also get sent over to hospital once a week so they can see them and sign off the numbers), I normally get seen every 2/3 weeks. That's really bad you had to chase people to do their job, just because the clinic is running late doesn't mean you should suffer because of it

 

[febbride2012]

mine is differerent i have type 2 diabetes and have been told I will be induced at 38 weeks, in fact they booked it for 11th jan last week! I put my foot down and am going for a natural birth not a C-section though

 

[3sisters]

I am due in early February and had GD with my last baby. She was number 3. Although I have normally had big babies I was really careful with my diet and was ale to control my sugars very easily. Now I am pregnant with number 4 at 44 years old. I will be taking the test in 2 weeks.

During my last pregnancy I went in for the fetal us monitoring around 8 (37weeks) months or so. The doctor said my baby looked fine and probably weighed around 6.8 lbs. I just looked at him like he was crazy. My previous one to that was 9.2 lbs. ( no gd) I told him I could barely breathe and even though I had gained less I was around the same size and huge. He relented optioning me to induce in a week. or so. I am so glad I did because she was 9.13 lbs and was 39 weeks roughly. 1 more week and she could have been an 11 lbs c-section.

I am 5'2" and not a very large person. Anyway, I am glad I induced and realize that the us are not the most perfect at predicting pounds. when he said our baby probably weighs 6.8 he was at least 2 pounds off.

This time around, I am hoping I pass the test. But I know induction might be another positbility due to my large babies.

 

[Scarletvixen]

I have diabeties and for that i would be seen once a month, the diabetic clinic is only held once a month and they scan you at the appt, i have other complications as well so am seen more often than that, also if i didnt have the rh disease i wouldnt have to be induced as i have had rh neg babies and went into labour naturally, its your choice there is pros and cons for being induced and a lot of research shows that as long as the ctg and scans are ok there is no reason to induce due to diabeties xx