Has anyone with GD refused an induction?

[User36258]

Hi all. I have GD and I’m very worried at the prospect of being pushed into having an induction. I’ve read a lot about them and it seems like they can often be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of the potential risks and potential benefits.

I would accept an induction if there was something specific about my pregnancy / baby that warranted it, but it seems to be the done thing that if you have GD you’re automatically on the path to induction whether it’s actually warranted or not.

Has anyone had GD (and with a large baby!) and refused an induction? If so, what was your experience?

Hi OP. I too have GD and it seems that they will want to induce me early. The consultant told me one of the reasons was because your placenta has to work harder with the GD so packs in/deteriorates quicker than one in a normal pregnancy, so that is why they don't want you to go over. And of course for the complications that can happen birthing a large baby. I think these reasons have scared me enough into accepting an early induction. I think a good chat with your consultant will help you decide what you would be happy to do :)

I'm worried about this too

I've decided that I will see how under control my blood sugar levels are, growth of the baby and whether there are any other concerns. If all is ok I'll ask if the induction is necessary and whether it is possible to wait a few more days

I do think sometimes maybe they jump to induction rather than managing the specific case. Even before my GD was diagnosed the consultant was talking about inducing at 39 weeks but surely there needs to be some reasoning for it

No me personally and a little bit different, but my sister in law wasn't offered an induction with her first and baby was larger than expected, because she wasn't induced earlier he ended up getting a bit too big and got stuck at his shoulders which tore some ligaments. (He was 10lb5oz when born) and has required 2 surgeries since and his shoulder will never be 'normal' he has restricted movements and limited strength. However with her second and third she was induced (both bigger baby's but weren't able to get as big due to inductions and they are perfectly fine. Could be coincidence but there could be something to it.

Best thing would be to ask why they’re recommending / offering induction - ie what are the risks of not being induced they’re trying to mitigate .

I have been diagnosed with GD and told will not be allowed to go over 40wks. My older 2 are teens now but had first at 39wks and 2nd 38wks so likely I won’t get to 40 anyway. My baby is on smaller side and what has been picked up is after not eating for few hours bloods are low 3.2-3.8 and 2hrs after eating average of 6.8 with the occasional 8. I was told GD can lead to bigger baby getting stuck but also placenta failing which is prob more likely issue in my case. I have x4 weekly growth scans so if baby’s growth slows or even increases fast at any point they will induce. I don’t mind bearing the pain of induction but really want to avoid assisted birth or csection so am hoping can get as close to full term as poss and go into labour naturally like with my oldest 2.

Wish I had refused. Induced at 39. 5 days, 3 pessaries later waters went. Baby didn't seem ready to come. Fears of huge baby was inaccurate - he was 7lb 11.

I refused and had a section booked instead.

Baby was my 3rd. And predicted large.

Turns out he was v large, Labour was too quick for section, and he pretty much slid out but I wouldn't have wanted to do that as a first timer.

I had gd and had an induction at 38 weeks. It didn't occur to me not to, there is a higher chance of placental failure, cord prolapse (with excess waters) and shoulder dystociq with a large baby which she would have been if I went to full term.
I understand not wanting an induction as it's not what most people would choose as their ideal birth however for me the risks were not worth taking and having a c section seemed a much worse option.
I felt really supported and looked after during my induction and there were no issues during her birth despite being back to back. Labour was 11 hours start to finish and we were both discharged 24 hours later after normal blood sugar readings.

I would accept an induction if there was something specific about my pregnancy / baby that warranted it

That would be the GD in your case then?

I had it, inductions at term both times, was nothing like all the horrific stories people had kindly told me about their own inductions (thanks all!). So now it’s my mission in life to go around sharing my positive induction story - I had two GD inductions, both times with ‘non favourable cervix’ when I got the first pessary, labour pains started 12 hours later both times, first baby arrived 14 hours later with quite a few drugs because he was back to back so it was a wee bit sore, 2nd time baby arrived at speed, 3 hours after first twinges.

As the others have said, have a chat with your consultant/midwife and get the info you need. Talk to them about your concerns and see if they can put them to rest. One thing I would say that I discovered from being on here at the time, is that different health boards have wildly different protocols - I was allowed to go full term, others will automatically induce at 37 weeks - so don’t presume what you read on here will be applicable to you.

I agree with @Ohdeariedear, your specific reason is having gestational diabetes.

I had GD too and was induced at 40 weeks because I was worried about my placenta starting to not work properly and the risk of shoulder dystocia as he was a large baby. It just seemed like too big a risk for me to decline induction.

Also, the induction experience wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. After they broke my waters, he arrived in under 3 hours.

My friend was told she’d be allowed to go to 40 weeks, 41 weeks at a stretch, if she refused induction but she’d be put on increased (maybe daily) monitoring. As it turned out, she ended up have an ELCS as baby was breech. Baby was a whopper.

Has a one refused an induction and had a c section instead as a result of GD/ baby measuring big?

I have GD, currently 37 weeks with DC3. I am on insulin but only a small dose and blood sugar levels are under control. I also have a history of preeclampsia in both previous pregnancies and my blood pressure has started playing up the closer I get to due date.

I am having a c section at 39 weeks (not for GD, this was already booked before GD was an issue). I was told that as long as GD was well controlled (and for me, my BP), the would allow me to try for a VBAC up to 41 weeks.

My baby is currently on the small side, crusing at the 10th centile, but no growth restriction, he is just smaller side of normal.

I have not been pressured into induction or c section.

Sorry for typos...you hopefully get my drift.