Got an induction date today - worried

[Noodles81]

Hi guys,

I am due today, but doesn't look like lil man is coming. I have GD controlled by diet and sugars have been normal throughout and i've even lost weight during pregnancy rather than put any weight on so they are all happy about that aspect.

Went in for 40wk check up and with no prep was told that i was going to have a sweep today! Wasn't as bad as i thought and managed to breathe through it ok, she told me she got 2 fingers up which was about 2cm which is good apparently? Been for a long walk since and am feeling lower back ache and period like uncomfortableness since.
She then told me that she's booked me in for an induction next Friday. I tried to argue with her to let me wait for the full 2wks but she said it's my first and coz of the GD they like to do it at 41. No proper reason really, just coz they like to and get worried.

While i'm all for meeting the lil man i have heard some real bad stories about inductions and how much it hurts and how you're more likely to have a c-section with one etc and it's frightening me somewhat. Is there any way i can tell her i want to keep waiting if i have to? Should i wait till 42? Is induction as bad as ppl make out? DO you think a sweep will do the trick??

Hey NOODLES. I had an induction with my DS and i not gonna lie to you it was very sore. As for the sweep the MW would say if it doesnt work within 24 hours then its not gonna work but the fact ur already 2cm is great start.

I would make another appointment even with ur GP and get them to perform a sweep before next Friday to see if u can go yourself.
I know you want to go 42 and i would feel the same but maybe they are just cncerned because of ur GD and it might be safer to have your baby then.

It's really out of order when things are presented as "this is what's happening". They really should present you with full information about the risks/benefits of all your options and let you make an informed choice. Unfortunately this seems to happen rarely.
You can "decline" any intervention you are "offered" (these are my preferred terms) but it's worth having the full information about pros and cons before going against medical advice. Induction does have lots of downsides and you can ask to be scanned and monitored instead. If you're not happy with your care so far you can ring labour ward and ask to speak to a supervisor of midwives who is trained to help women resolve problems with the care they've received from other staff members like this! If one isn't on duty they should call you back.

I agree with thing1and thing2- the reason they induce sooner if you have GD is because of the growth of the baby and the risks of leaving you over your dates however if everything is fine with baby's growth and you then you are perfectly able to question this. Every hospital has a protocol which they are guided by. If you are not happy with what you have been told, i think you should ask to speak to the consultant obstetrician in charge of your care as it doesnt sound as though you have been given an informed choice.

I have type 1 diabetes, so I'm not sure if this applies, but my consultant told me that I would probably be induced as the risk of stillbirth increases if you go overdue. She also said that they don't know what causes this and can't predict who it will affect. I'm not sure if it is the same for GD, but might be worth asking your consultant as it would obviously be a factor in your decision.

I was induced with my first as I had suffered heavy bleeds so they would not let me go a day over I was 1cm an been having period pains an mild contractions once induced with the gel they were v close together and fast as 5hrs later I had ds I would say the pains were a tad stronger than when in labour with 2nd I also think if it's down to the individual as induction leads to c secs for lots.my 2nd ds came 2 weeks early but I would have defo been induced again

I was induced at 12 days over, after 1 pessary went straight into labour and had very big bouncing boy 10hrs later. Pain was bad but nothing to compare to as it was first. I didn't have any complications. Try not to listen to everyone else's tales of induction, keep relaxed as many good stories like me.