Inductions - Experiences, Thoughts - Need Help =)

[Nela]

So today, out of the blue, at my routine weekly appointment, the midwife told me that they needed to discuss induction with me in case baby isn't here by 40 weeks. Now, this is apparently due to gestational diabetes. HOWEVER, my diabetes nurse had told me that I was borderline, and had only failed my GTT by a little and my numbers were WELL under control by diet alone, never needed insulin. In fact, I have had many more hypoglycemic episodes than anything. Along with the regular glucose monitoring, we had regular growth scans. Baby was always right about the 50th percentile, so right smack in the average and just a tiny bit under it, not bigger at all. This was up until 36 weeks.

I now have an appointment on Monday where they will set an induction date if he isn't here before then, right at 40 weeks.

Am I wrong to want to avoid the induction? I would very much understand if I had proper gestational diabetes and that baby was measuring bigger but everything has been amazingly perfect. They have been surprised themselves that I managed to stay off the insulin as I was spotted with it at 20 weeks. I chalk this up to being more careful and being incredibly busy physically, thus burning the carbs faster.

I asked if there was a way to get another scan at 40 weeks to see if he was bigger and, if not, to let me go naturally. However, midwife said the scan would be unreliable at this stage and that it's always an estimate. So far, they only mentioned GD as being the reason, so if there's no other reason for it, do you think I should try and push to be left to go naturally?

I'd really just rather a c-section than an induction if I am honest. I find an induction horribly medical and unnatural. Granted, a c-section is not natural either but you get less meds/hormones, less messed about, etc. in general no?

I really don't know what I should do at this point... Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[ILoveCakee]

With my DD I was found with GD at 12 weeks, I never took insulin or tablets or anything, and I really didn't pay much attention to what I ate plus I was so ill I didn't exercise, so I think if you're only "borderline" it is basically non-existent.
I wouldn't have the induction without reason, they can't make you.

 

[fairygirl]

Are you under consultant care for the GD?
I've been induced at 38 weeks twice now, diet controlled GD being one reason but I am high risk due to medical history. With DS the consultant decided things were going down hill and admitted me for induction at my 38 week appointment, with DD it was decided at my 36 week appointment I was to be induced at 38 weeks to be safe. Knowing the date I was going in made things much easier but there were a lot of comments about how long it could take being induced so early. Both my labours were pretty much identical (birth stories are in my journal DS front page, and DD is 536). DD was even born about a pound lighter than estimated so both were tiny babies.

In your situation they can't force you, here they let you go to 41 weeks with controlled GD and all decided by consultant and you, not midwife..

 

[Nela]

With my DD I was found with GD at 12 weeks, I never took insulin or tablets or anything, and I really didn't pay much attention to what I ate plus I was so ill I didn't exercise, so I think if you're only "borderline" it is basically non-existent.
I wouldn't have the induction without reason, they can't make you.

I think that's the thing that irritates me most... I was only borderline at the test, though failed by slightly. Pretty much all my numbers were under the limit since! For example, my fastings must be at 5.3 and they are usually around 4. My meals must be under 6.7 and they are usually around low 5s. So, I mean, it's not like my sugars were ever high enough to be an actual problem! I will take my glucose readings log with me and show them on Monday and have a nice, long chat with them I think! I had fruit juice, lasagna and a handful of chips for dinner yesterday and my sugar was still below the limit!

Are you under consultant care for the GD?
I've been induced at 38 weeks twice now, diet controlled GD being one reason but I am high risk due to medical history. With DS the consultant decided things were going down hill and admitted me for induction at my 38 week appointment, with DD it was decided at my 36 week appointment I was to be induced at 38 weeks to be safe. Knowing the date I was going in made things much easier but there were a lot of comments about how long it could take being induced so early. Both my labours were pretty much identical (birth stories are in my journal DS front page, and DD is 536). DD was even born about a pound lighter than estimated so both were tiny babies.

In your situation they can't force you, here they let you go to 41 weeks with controlled GD and all decided by consultant and you, not midwife..

Thanks. Yes, I am consultant led for several reasons: asthma, dysautonomia (affects my heart, sugar, blood pressure, etc), overweight, and borderline GD, etc. They've only mentioned the GD being a factor so I will definitely ask if there is anything else coming into play for their decision. However, I personally feel that GD alone wouldn't qualify me for an immediate induction as my glucose readings were always well below the allowance. I'm a FTM so I hear it's quite common to go a bit over, and would really prefer to just let my body do its thing. They have constantly told me I would end up on insulin and most likely have pre-eclampsia but I have proven them wrong so far so I'd really just like for them to listen to what my body is saying right now. I think I will just have to be a little more clear about my wishes at my next appointment and stand up for what I believe now. Of course, I will ask for their reasoning first and see if anything clicks but if it really is about just GD, I'm simply not convinced at this point. Baby and body are doing their thing, excellent heartbeat, engaging, BH, practice labor, excellent blood pressure, excellent glucose readings, etc. so it seems contra-indicative to suddenly shove my body into something it's not ready for. I agree it'd be nice to know a particular date, but that's pretty much the only advantage I see to an induction right now.

 

[ILoveCakee]

They never said anything to me about how far over I was, but I'm guessing very borderline too as I never made an attempt to combat it (I was so ill with other stuff I just couldn't be bothered, very responsible of me haha) as my sugar levels were always completely normal! Also usually you get it again if you had it before and I'm completely fine this time around.

The inductions are for precaution *in case* the baby is big, but if there is nothing really pointing to a problem I can't say I agree with it myself.

I ended up induced at 36 weeks but for entirely different reasons, however if not for that they would have induced me due to my (pretty invisible) GD at 38-39 weeks. I think that is standard practice and nobody bothers arguing, but if you feel that strongly, then please question it!

 

[snod80]

If you end up needing one, just wanted to tell you I was induced with my first and it went very smoothly and quickly. I was 39 wks, and went from no pain to pretty severe contractions, got the epidural and had baby 3 hrs later, only pushed for 15 min and he weighed 8.5 lbs, try to stay positive and relaxed if you can, once baby is here you will forget about all of this

 

[sue_88]

I was induced due to reduced foetal movements (Millie's cord was packing up - it was SO thin when she came out)......it was a positive experience for me, considering I had planned a no-meds pain relief free homebirth (oh how plans change!!).

The story is on my journal if you fancy a read. X

 

[Nela]

Thanks guys. It does seem that it is just standard to induce at 40 no matter the state of the GD as a precaution. I was just taken by surprise as no one had mentioned this to me before and they all seemed to be taking things in such a stride that I simply assumed I was being left to go naturally since it was well under control. I'll still ask if it's an absolute necessity on Monday but I guess I can see more why they would now. Good to hear there are some positive stories. I still don't feel it's the right way to go for me, personally as I just find it way too much intervention for what I feel is actually very low risk but we shall see on Monday after our chat how I still feel about it. I have a very good team of professionals and I do trust their care. In the end, they are the doctors and know more than I do so I will have to trust that they know what they are doing. Thanks again for the advice, ladies!

 

[sue_88]

That's what I thought Nela. I was so looking forward to my homebirth with minimal intervention but then I thought - they're the doctors and the professionals, I didn't want to go against them and, in my case, they were definitely right!

Birth is a means to an end - the end being your sweet baby. The outcome will still be the same

 

[BunnyN]

I didn't have GD but doctors where I live seem to like induction and thought I should be induced early because baby was 'too big'. I just laughed at that as I am tall, everyone in the family is tall and all the babies are big too. Then they said I 'needed' to be induced at 41 weeks becuase that is standard for them. I chose a home birth with an independent midwife who was willing to go until 42 weeks if I had tests done to make sure everything was okay. I gave birth at 41+10. LO was 9lbs 5oz and healthy. I had a good birth experience.

I felt the care I recieved from the independent MW was much better than what I had had from the doctors. She was very attentive and discussed my concerns with me. The doctors I saw were always changing and never remembered who I was or what they had told me at the last visit. I had to remind them of the complicatiions had. In the end I didn't trust them to make decisions for me like that I should be induced just because it was their policy. Medical care and policy vary so much from country to country and even hospital to hospital that policies can only be taken as a guide. Often it's just a number to them, you are the one giving birth so make sure you are comfortable with your decisions. Obviously induction can save lives and certainly has a place but it also carries it's own risks. I feel that it's something that needs to be considered carefully. If you are boarderline I think the risks and benifits should at least be being discussed with you.