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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Hospital want to induce me this Friday (38+0) - help!

246 replies

worried88 · 15/04/2020 13:27

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 36+0 weeks and am now 37+5. I've been monitoring my blood sugar levels at home since the diagnosis and have managed to get them under control.

At my 36 week scan the baby's weight was estimated at 7lbs 1oz and the head circumference was 35.5cm (97th centile), so the baby is already on the large side because of the GD.

My midwife rang this morning to ask how everything is going and then asked what my thoughts were on the birth. I said I was confused over whether to go for an induction or c-section due to the size of the baby's head, so she went to speak to the consultant to get his thoughts.

She rang me back 10 minutes later and said the consultant thinks an induction is the best option and that they could get me in this Friday to start the process. I was quite shocked as the phone call began as a routine chat about GD and ended with the possibility of giving birth in two days' time.

The midwife explained that the baby will just keep on growing from here on in, so it's better to induce sooner rather than later for a vaginal delivery before they get too big. She also said that if I did go for a c-section then that could be done at 39 weeks.

I said I'd think everything through and get back to her, but I'm so confused now. Should I take their advice and go in this Friday, wait another week (when I'll be 39+0) or two (when I'll be 40+0) to be induced, or ask for a c-section?

My head is spinning - if anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
Delbelleber · 22/04/2020 11:31

Good luck

BlingLoving · 22/04/2020 11:32

Just a tip - I was induced due to GD and was in the hospital for DAYS. You need to maintain your sugar levels even while being induced and certainly at my hospital, there is no GD friendly menu.... so be careful about eating and continue with any post-food exercise you usually do. I spent a lot of time wandering the corridors of my hospital but due to Covid 19 you might need to go outside or whatever. Take GD friendly snacks with you because the only snacks you'll ever get at the hospital are biscuits or items from the vending machine.

BrooHaHa · 22/04/2020 12:11

If you report your first post @IdblowJonSnow, MNHQ will probably delete it for you.

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 12:18

@BlingLoving how long did it take from point of induction to the actual birth, out of interest? The doctor is predicting Saturday or Sunday for the birth, then I’ll need to stay in for 24 hours to monitor the baby’s blood sugar levels.

OP posts:
BlingLoving · 22/04/2020 13:45

4 days!!!! And then had an emergency c section so I'm probably not the best person to talk to on that side! Grin

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 14:48

@BlingLoving sounds like they’re expecting the same for me! I’ll be taking lots of magazines...

@IdblowJonSnow no worries! In an ideal world I’d probably prefer a c-section too, but after all this worry I just want to get on with it now.

OP posts:
IslayBrigid · 22/04/2020 15:00

Good luck OP! Sounds like you are making the best decision for you!
Not sure if you have looked into hypnobirthing but it could be a good idea, to help you prepare mentally and help manage the pain :) And keeping lights dim, and being as active as poss, can also help speed labour along as gets the hormones flowing!
Keep us posted, I've enjoyed reading about your decision making process. Hope baby is here on the weekend! x

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 15:03

@IslayBrigid Thanks - it sounds like there will potentially be a lot of hanging around, so I’ll have ample time to update!

The advice I’ve had on here has really helped me through the last couple of weeks so thank you all Flowers

OP posts:
ReyGal · 22/04/2020 15:19

@worried88 good luck! I had GD and they were going to let me go to 40+6 as I had good control of my blood sugars. Baby come naturally at 39+6.
What I would say is that although they need to check baby’s sugars and baby has to pass 3 you’ll still be in for 24 hours so don’t feel as though you have to give formula if BF is difficult just to go home.
My DD passed all sugars but they made me stay in overnight and baby had tongue tie (We didn’t know this yet - she was checked the following day for it after I asked them to!) so when I was struggling to feed her in the night they pushed me to give her formula and I felt horrendous for it. You know your baby and your body best - you can do this!

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 15:29

@ReyGal thanks for the advice. If breastfeeding isn’t working, I’d assumed I would have to give formula - what is the alternative if the baby is hungry?

OP posts:
Ilovethekittehs · 22/04/2020 15:36

You need to do what's right for you.

I would personally go with a planner c section. You're at a higher risk of emergency section or instrumental help.

I was induced and it was six days before I had to have an emergency, I was so exhausted by the end. Recovery from c section wasn't bad for me but I have a very high pain threshold.

After a week I was up, taking short walks and felt well.

Ilovethekittehs · 22/04/2020 15:37

Also I had no issues breastfeeding after c section.

Ilovethekittehs · 22/04/2020 15:39

Whoops, just saw update! Good luck!

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 15:49

@Ilovethekittehs no worries! I would probably opt for a c-section ideally, but it’s been such an anxious couple of weeks that I’m keen just to have the baby here now. I don’t think I can take much more of pregnancy!

OP posts:
heyallyoucoolcatsandkittenss · 22/04/2020 15:52

Good luck Thanks hope baby arrives safely

I was induced at 42weeks I put it off I till then as I wanted to see if I could go into Labour myself. Process stared at about 5pm by pessery my partner had to go home as men weren't aloud to stay on the ward overnight but could come back when I got moved to delivery but it all went so fast that he missed baby being born at 4am so from being induced it only took about 10-11 hours. But that my 2nd and no issues while being pregnant.

Ilovethekittehs · 22/04/2020 15:55

@worried88 totally understandable! Must be a weird time to be pregnant. Hope you've got a good support network when you get home. Hope everything goes smoothly and baby arrives safely.

inuinnit · 22/04/2020 16:03

Good luck!

Just wanted to say that I had a really long drawn out induction for post dates with my first baby (went in on Sunday night at 41+5, born on Friday evening after the full shebang... 2 x pessaries, gels, manual water break, epidural and drip). But didn't have to have an EMCS as baby eventually came out with a bit of ventouse. Despite my induction not going quickly, personally would still prefer an induction rather than a C section as you never know how it's going to go until you try, and also my recovery was pretty quick compared to some of my friends who had EMCS.

The one recommendation that an obstetrician friend gave me was that if you're going to be put on the drip, get an epidural, particularly if you've been in labour for a few days already. The hormones are very strong and it's hard to handle without an epidural. They can reduce the dosage a bit near the end so that you have more feeling to push.

My recommendation would be that if you're planning on breastfeeding think twice before taking pethidine - it took a while for my baby to show any interest in feeding and we had a few days where she lost a lot of weight - every single midwife in the postnatal ward was like 'oh, she's just sleepy from the pethidine'. Nobody mentioned that when they offered the pethidine to me!

Please update us! I have GD this time around (a few weeks behind you at 36w) and so watching this with a lot of interest! Wink Hope it goes well and you get to meet your baby soon xxx

IvinghoeBeacon · 22/04/2020 19:48

“ If breastfeeding isn’t working, I’d assumed I would have to give formula - what is the alternative if the baby is hungry?”

You can hand express colostrum and feed with a syringe - they should have 1ml syringes available for the purpose. It’s not the easiest thing to do especially with postpartum tiredness etc and if you haven’t been doing at home already (which if you haven’t would be understandable - you’re not supposed to do it until term anyway). So it’s an option but if you didn’t feel like it or it didn’t work then it’s not the end of the world

Dyra · 22/04/2020 20:32

Good luck @worried88!

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 23:21

Thanks everyone! I’m at the hospital now. I’ve got my own private room in the maternity ward with an en suite bathroom, which I didn’t expect - is that normal? When I go into established labour I will be moved down to the labour ward.

They’ve begun the induction process by monitoring the baby’s heart rate and movements for half an hour and all is well. Apparently I’m getting a lot of tightenings too, which I wasn’t aware of - I thought it was just the baby moving around Confused

The midwife will be back at 2.30am to monitor the baby again for half an hour, to see whether the tightenings are happening consistently. She’ll also examine my cervix - she compared the process to a smear test, so hopefully it won’t be too bad.

She said that depending on what’s going on with my cervix, they have to be careful that inserting the pessary doesn’t overstimulate the cervix and cause contractions to come on too strong. So I’m not really sure what will happen next. This bit feels like the calm before the storm...

OP posts:
Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 23:29

Thanks @inuinnit - it’s good to hear a positive induction story! I know a little bit about pethidine and will be trying to avoid it if I can I think. But I’ll definitely be saying yes to an epidural as I know the contractions can come on strong with an induction.

One thing I’m surprised by is the 24 hour nature of this. I (naively) didn’t realise they wake you in the night to do examinations and checks. I’m worried I’ll be absolutely exhausted by the time I get into labour.

OP posts:
orlarose · 22/04/2020 23:31

Just to add a positive story. I was induced with DD1, cervix high and firmly closed when they put the pessary in. Contractions started after about 8 hours and then 3 and a half hours later I had a baby. Gas and air only, standard delivery with no intervention at all. Good luck.

Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 23:32

You can hand express colostrum and feed with a syringe

Thanks @IvinghoeBeacon. I haven’t managed to express - is there a chance that the baby will be able to feed colostrum straight from the boob after birth?

OP posts:
Original poster
worried88 · 22/04/2020 23:33

Thanks @orlarose. Does the pessary make contractions more intense than a natural birth or is it just the drip that does that?

OP posts:
Wolfgirrl · 22/04/2020 23:36

Exciting stuff!

Yep, all the monitoring is quite annoying (but totally neccessary) - try and get some sleep between examinations if you can. Easier said than done I know!

If you ask for a syringe to express colostrum they should be able to give you some. It is well worth doing, I was exhausted after my birth and it was great having some ready made feeds that DP could give DD.

I think you are making the right decision with the epidural, you will probably be quite tired by the time they take you to labour ward so being out of pain will give you more stamina for the birth.

Keep us updated and good luck! Flowers