Type 1 Diabetic Birth Choices

[mermaid2024]

Hi! I’m looking for some advice, either from healthcare professionals or from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
I had my first son in 2024 via C-section at 37 weeks because he was measuring/growing large.
I’m now pregnant with my second baby, due in November 2026, and I would really love to try for a VBAC. However, because I have diabetes, my medical team would like me to give birth by 38 weeks, which would most likely mean being induced if I don’t go into labour naturally beforehand.
I’m worried that the combination of having had a previous C-section, never having experienced labour before, needing to be induced, and delivering before 39/40 weeks might make a successful VBAC much less likely. Part of me wonders whether I should still give it a try, while another part worries that I could go through an induction and labour only to end up needing another C-section anyway.
Has anyone been in a similar situation and successfully had an induced VBAC, particularly around 37–38 weeks? With diabetes Or did you decide to have a planned second C-section instead?
I’ll obviously discuss everything with my consultant and make the safest decision for myself and baby, but I’d really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences and any advice from healthcare professionals.
Thank you ❤️

Hi OP. I am a midwife and I can completely understand your concerns. From experience, an induction at 38 weeks, without a previous labour, could be a long hard slog for you. An induction only really works well if your body is ready (and it could well be at 38 weeks) but you would only know nearer the time.

Have a good chat with your consultant and maybe come up with a compromise? Get assessed at the start of the induction process and go from there. Have a plan to switch to a section if things don't start to progress early on.

You want to avoid a section in the latter stages of labour as if you want further children you can be at higher risk of preterm birth with section at near or fully dilated.

Thank you! That information is really helpful