Induction for gestational diabetes?

[weakestlink]

Does anyone have any experience of this?

I was diagnosed at 29 weeks and am currently on metformin 3 x day. I still get high readings (in the 8s mostly) after lunch and dinner so I suppose I only have it semi under control.

The baby has growth over 97th percentile for abdominal circumference and weight. Others are at the high end of normal.

I am now 35 weeks so starting to think about what will happen regarding birth.

Just wondering what other people have experienced? I really don't want a CS as have other DC to look after but would be open to induction as have been induced before and had a positive experience.

I asked my midwife yesterday about birth as I am 32 wks and have gestational diabetes. I was hoping to get an elective and get my tubes tied at the same time but she says if baby is measuring big for dates they prefer to induce you early and let you labour naturally. Much to my disappointment!

No experience from me as such weakestlink as I have just been diagnosed with GD - I am 29 weeks and have been taking metformin (after dinner) for the last 3 days. Couldn't control it with diet alone last week despite having a great diet for the week (the dietician said the only recommendation she could make was for me to try Burgen soya and linseed bread instead of granary!) Hoping I can get it under control with metformin over the next week or two but the last 3 days haven't done.

I had a scan on Tuesday and baby was at 95th percentile for abdominal circumference. I asked the doc whether it was more likely I would have a C section and she said that it was more likely to be necessary, but not definite as there are no hard and fast rules - induction at around 38 weeks was most likely.

If you are desperate to avoid a c section then discuss your concerns with them. I think they said this would be discussed at 36 weeks. It is your choice, not theirs, but it needs to be an informed decision.

I have all this to come!

NICE guidelines are for induction or cesarean at 38 weeks for GD. I think you are more likely to be offered induction as a vaginal birth is normally deemed to be preferable.

Do you have an appointment with the consultant coming up as they should discuss it with you.

I had GD with DC4. Was on metformin from about 25 weeks, and then insulin towards the end as could not keep my levels down unless I didn't eat anything

I had an induction at 38 weeks - was completely fine - only took 1 pessary, and I had baby 12 hours after induction was started, so pretty straight forward really!

I thought it was standard practice to offer induction at 38 weeks with GD? Was told by the midwife that inductions for subsequent babies are not usually as bad as with first babies. I was induced at 38 weeks with DC1 and this one was a breeze compared to that (thankfully!)

Yes I have an appointment & scan end of next week so I guess they will talk about it then. I didn't see my normal consultant at my last appointment so I didn't want to ask him...

38 weeks would mean I only have 3 weeks left! Eeek!

I was induced at 39 w for GD as baby was only measuring on the 50th centile and I was managing through diet alone. I had already started to labour naturally the night before and one pessary did the job for me. Still took 25 hours from induction to delivery though.

A friend who had GD much more severely than I did was induced at 37weeks.

Interesting.... I think I would be classed as having it quite badly as baby already so big (7lbs at 34 weeks) but not 100%.
Both my last inductions were at 40 weeks so possibly can't compare but both fine - 1st had one pesary and 2nd they just broke waters and that was that.