Early induction for gestational diabetes - at how many weeks?

[AveEldon]

I've read the updated NICE guidelines which suggest women with GD should be advised to give birth no later than 40+6 weeks

I'm just wondering if hospitals are actually following this?
The anaesthetist I saw suggested my hospital would aim for 38-39 weeks, the Obstetrician today was talking about 39-40 weeks

Anyone got any recent experience to share?

[MrsGlam]

I was induced at 38+3 for GD because I was on Insulin..My hospital said if i wasn't on Insulin then they would have let me go to 40+6.

[Tootsiepops]

My hospital induced me at 40 weeks exactly (I'm in the south east).

I was taking metformin. When / if I get pregnant again, I will opt for expectant management rather than an induction.

[nocoffeenouppee]

In NI. I had a sweep at 38+5 and went spontaneously at 39+1. Second baby though. They would have let me go to 'about 40'.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

In the Midlands here- insulin dependent, induced at 38 weeks, metformin induced at 39 weeks, non medicated induced at 40 weeks. In was induced at 38 w with ds1 and he was born at 38+3, with ds 2 I had a cesearean at 38+6 just because of how the days worked out. Consider your options op, both of mine were big but not huge (ie. High end of 8lb), both spent time in neonatal due to their blood sugars after birth, and ds1 was determined not to be born after being induced and eventually I had a section. Read/search for online the hospitals diabetes policy and also their induction of labour policy and ask your consultant. With my second I felt more empowered to tell the doctors what I wanted whereas with ds 1 I sort of went along with them. I would have insisted on 40 weeks for ds2 if I hadn't been so desperately uncomfortable.

[freda1916]

For induced @39+6 via gel. Was GD but only diet controlled . induce was via gel only..

Midwife said no more than week40

irlend

[MagpieCursedTea]

I was induced at 38 weeks with DS as I was on insulin. He was only 6lb 3oz which was a shock!

[AveEldon]

Thanks for all the replies

The new guidelines make no distinction between diet controlled/ metformin/ insulin

Unfortunately my hospital don't seem to publish anything
I've got their induction of labour leaflet but it's suitably vague - just details of sweeps / prostaglandins / oxytocin / artificial rupture of membranes

[MrsGlam]

Ave have a look at NICE guidelines I found them helpful :)

[AveEldon]

Thank you, yes I've read the guidelines

[MrsGlam]

Sorry totally misread original post!

It all depends on your treatment for GD.
What treatment are you having? If you arent happy challenge them with NICE guidelines.

[AliceInHinterland]

I was diet controlled and booked in to 'discuss induction' (which I took to mean being admitted that day) at 41 weeks. I was offered sweeps earlier but declined. I went into labour at 40+2 but was considering just going straight for ELCS rather than induction (VBAC). My placenta was very healthy (which I think is the risk). I had fortnightly clinics where I could ask this kind of question. I personally would have pushed to do things in line with NICE if they had pressured me for an earlier induction, despite an erroneously large growth scan. I was also unconvinced that they had any evidence for continuous monitoring - I found the midwives spent more time looking at the machine than me, which I was not comfortable with.

[Idontknowwhoiam]

38 for induction 1st time. Diet controlled
39 for c section 2nd time. Diet controlled
38 for c section 3rd time. - metformin for a week beforehand.
This is in Wales

[AliceInHinterland]

That barely made any sense - first birth told I would be induced at 40 weeks, second birth told I would be induced at 41 weeks (different trusts). Both times went into labour earlier than that date, first sweep then long labour with continuous monitoring followed by EMCS, second VBAC at home (no sweep). I would have insisted on no induction before 40+6 in both cases personally, if it had come to that.

[OhIfIMust]

Didn't pick it up first preg - baby too prem. This time, on metaformin, booked in for ELCS at 38 weeks after two huge growth scans

[cosmicglittergirl]

38 weeks exactly with DD2. Was on metformin. They mooted doing it earlier but I said I was happy to wait. I had contractions at 34 weeks and had to have steroids so I don't know if that's relevant.
North London hospital.

[AveEldon]

Thanks

[AveEldon]

Saw the Obs today - suggested 39+1 which I think I am okay with. I'm over 40 so they would be suggesting induction before 40 weeks anyway