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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Have anyone refused to be induced with gestational diabetes?

27 replies

Momhope15 · 08/05/2019 10:40

Hi
I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 29 weeks and am now 36. I have been controlling with diet. So far so good.
Had a growth scan and baby is measuring nicely and is not too big.
This is my first pregnancy and I am terrified of epidural and cs so would really like to have as natural birth as possible. I know birth never goes according to plan so if needs be will have an Epi and c section.

Hospital wants to induced me at 40 weeks and no more. I was wondering if anyone chose to not get induced and just wait till baby was ready.

Reason why I don't want to get induced is that I read that chances of epidural and csection are higher.

Thank you.

OP posts:
AvocadoLovingMamaOfOne · 08/05/2019 10:45

I know not exactly what you're asking but I had GD and got induced at 37 weeks. We went with that because it reduced my rate of baby being too big and needing a CS. I didn't have an epidural or CS, and would be more than happy to go with that again if we were to have another baby.
I think they prefer to induce because theres just more risks with GD

ArfArfBarf · 08/05/2019 10:52

No I was induced twice (both times at 38 weeks under the old NICE guidelines) because of GD. It’s not just about size of baby. The placenta degrades faster in mothers with gd and this leads to an increased risk of still birth.

Original poster
Momhope15 · 08/05/2019 11:00

I was wondering if anyone chose not to get induced with gestational diabetes.
But it gives me hope reading that being induced doesn't always means epidural and c section.

OP posts:
literategiraffe · 10/05/2019 02:23

I was induced (altho not because of GD) and it defo doesn't always have to lead to a epi and a section Smile
My induction was really positive and straight forward despite only being 37 weeks and while I did opt for an epidural eventually that was 100% my choice and it was managed really well.

Eisley · 10/05/2019 02:49

Can I ask why you're scared of an epidural? I'm genuinely interested and I only ask because I had one and it was fantastic! I was going to be induced at 37 weeks because of liver issues in myself and the size of the baby (not GD) but in the end he didn't want to wait till then.... 36 and 5 days he arrived. He wasn't massive and I had discussed an epidural in advance, it went so smoothly and was amazing for me.

FenellaMaxwell · 10/05/2019 03:32

Epidurals are fucking amazing, just so you know.

I think the thing to focus on here is getting past your fear. Not all inductions result in a CS by any means, but the reasons for induction in GD are not just size of the baby - there are other risks to the child including the placenta failing. You may well still have a natural birth with induction. You may go into labour spontaneously and not need one. But you should spend some time now preparing for the possibility of a Caesarian just in case, and also, read up properly about epidurals, specifically walking epidurals - honestly, they really are wonderful.

Limpshade · 10/05/2019 03:46

I was induced on my due date. Consultant explained to me that despite good control, they really couldn't say what would happen to the placenta after that. There'll be plenty who'll say, your body, your choice, but honestly, why would you take that risk? My induction was long but very positive and I was happy to be induced again at the end of my second, also GD, pregnancy.

boredpanda84 · 10/05/2019 04:15

There is actually a huge new study that was released recently that shows induction at 39 weeks actually reduces your risk of requiring a CS. Epidural rates are definitely higher though. I would ask if you could have a few sweeps from 39 weeks to try and get things moving on their own. There is also a good chance you would labour before 40 weeks anyway.

incogneto · 10/05/2019 04:19

I was induced due to GD and what they thought was a large baby. They wanted to reduce the risk of shoulder dystocia, CS etc.

In my experience I had 2 failed epidurals and had an EMCS so that didn't go to plan. DS was 7lb 5 so really not that large at all.

I was very unlucky though and doubt this happens to everybody so I'm sure you will be fine lovely Thanks

p.s Sorry if I've scared you!

KitKatCHA · 10/05/2019 04:32

I've been induced three times to to GD, no epidurals and all vaginal births. It's done for a good reason with the baby's safety as the top priority. In this situation I would always follow a medical professionals advice.

Original poster
Momhope15 · 10/05/2019 07:32

Thank you - it really is a relief to hear that many of you had a normal birth with induction.

Might sound a bit silly, bit the reason why I don't want an epidural is due to fear from horror stories (paralysed...). I know many people have them and are fine but can't help to be afraid of such a needle being stuck in my spine.

Before being diagnosed with GD was really set of having a natural birth , went o hypnobirthing classes and after the diagnosis got really anxious that nothing might go as planned (induction, pain relief , c section) however reading your experiences really lifted my hopes that natural birth is still possible.

OP posts:
Pinkpanther473 · 10/05/2019 07:42

Also don’t want to scare you
But I wanted the hypnobirth, natural route too.
1st pg waters broke and nothing happened, after holding out for a bit I agreed induction.
Still used hypnobirth techniques and had a vaginal delivery that was quite quick, no epidural and now have a wonderful dd age 3.
2nd pg was waiting to be induced at 41+4 and was even arguing about that because was hoping for a natural birth.
Very unfortunately the heartbeat stopped and when my baby was delivered the placenta was very tiny.
It didn’t come up on the tests that I had gd but I think I did in some form.
Now ttc and will of course agree early induction.
The placenta size doesn’t show up well on scans and it’s good to be on the safe side if there is a risk due to gd.
When you are holding your lovely dc it is so wonderful and how it happened doesn’t matter so much
Sorry I hope this has been helpful

Racmactac · 10/05/2019 07:50

Hi. Yes 12 years ago I refused to be induced.
I had gd but it was well controlled and I wasn't very big. I'd only had a baby 18 months prior to that and that bump had been bigger.

I refused an induction and demanded a home birth. They weren't happy at all but I had a supportive midwife and I lived literally at the back of the hospital.

I went into labour on his due date and called hospital. They tried desperately to get me to go in but I refused.

I had a 7lb 13oz baby boy - the precious one had been lots bigger - with no problems.

ohmydaysagain · 10/05/2019 08:39

I was induced at 38 weeks twice because of GD, diet controlled sugars not too bad and no medication needed. on my first(actually my 3rd child) I had a scan at 36 weeks was told baby was fine no worries about size would be 7lb max at birth she was 9lb 11oz as I delivered the placenta it fell apart 😱 I was so lucky I had been induced when I was! 2nd was only 8lb 7oz at 38 weeks and placenta was fine but my sugars were higher and I had metformin from 33weeks. I'm not having anymore but if I did and had gd again I would have an induction at 38 weeks again. I didn't need any painkillers other than gas and air and had normal deliveries no intervention required.

KneelJustKneel · 10/05/2019 09:17

Flowers pinkpather.

I had a large baby (im overweight and they thought GD but never tested positive!) and went v overdue. I ended up in intensive care. Most most people don't, but Ibe really changed my mind about pushing to go later than professionals rrcommend.

greathat · 10/05/2019 09:26

Just follow the advice to get the baby out safe. That trumps all else. I know of too many people that have lost babies very late, inc one that was waiting in the hospital for her elective section but kept getting bumped for emergencies until it was too late ;(

Original poster
Momhope15 · 10/05/2019 09:54

Thank you everyone for your replies.
Very sorry @Pinkpanther473

My consultant recommended that i am induced on due date 1st June. So will follow her advice.

I feel so relieved - I was really panicking as thought I was doomed to have a cs. But can see now that although it can happen, it is also very possible to have a natural birth.

OP posts:
Anothertempusername · 10/05/2019 09:56

Epidurals are fucking awesome. In my opinion they should be given as standard. Anaesthetists are Gods!!

randomsabreuse · 10/05/2019 10:08

I didn't have GD and was induced at 38 weeks with my 2nd - exactly the same pattern as my first spontaneous labour - I only needed to have the hormone gels to kick things off - induction doesn't necessarily mean drip and epidural.

Labour hurt, but I think both were back to back, so would have hurt anyway... both needed a ventouse for the last bit, and I tore with my first and had an epesiotomy with 2nd due to tight scar tissue from the "natural" birth.

What I'm saying is in my experience induced labour isn't necessarily any different to how natural labour would have been - certainly for me induced labour was much easier because I wasn't in the car, I got pain relief much earlier (sent home not in established labour and 1.5 hours later found to be 7cm and was 10cm 15 minutes later than that!)

FenellaMaxwell · 10/05/2019 16:19

Just to point out - the risk of ANY complication from epidural is less than 3%. The risk of serious complication is less than 1%. The reason the horror stories stand out is because they are rare and unusual.

Lenny1987 · 10/05/2019 19:09

I wish I had. I was induced at 39weeks having had diet controlled gd. 2 pessaries, eventually waters broke 4 days later, 24 hours contracting and ended in c section. Many other women on ward were in similar or worse situations. Baby was born perfectly healthy at 7lb 11. It was my first baby and I felt scaremongered into it.

SugaryFreak · 12/05/2019 08:11

GD and induced at 37 weeks.

Had epidural and c section last minute.... But because I have an underlying breathing issue, not because I was induced.

Baloonphobia · 12/05/2019 08:17

Induction does not equal section and nobody will force you to have an epidural. I'm due for induction on Wed due to concerns over not being able to get to hospital on time. I was too fast for epi last time. I will definitely try to get it this time.

Rivera84 · 13/09/2021 20:21

Yes I have refused to be induced with gestational diabetes and insulin medication and as long as my baby is passing her stress tests she moves and heart beat is fine my blood pressure is good I will wait until my body and baby are ready on their own.

vastgrandupgrade · 13/09/2021 20:24

The OP’s baby is 2 years old now! @Rivera84