Sorry to hear you are having such a stressful last few weeks of pregnancy OP. I sympathise as have had reduced movements with all three of my children and I know what a toll the constant hospital visits and worry can take.
Reduced movements, particularly of the extent to which you have experienced them, must be taken very seriously, especially in light of the additional risks presented by gestational diabetes. Recovery between episodes is not a reliable indicator that the baby is fine in there, or will remain fine. With my youngest baby I had 6 episodes of reduced movements, and while he was always fine on ctg when checked, I was induced at 37+4 and he entered the world ‘flat’ and not breathing. Thankfully the resuscitation efforts were successful and I am so incredibly grateful that I was induced because something, we will never know what, was clearly ailing him in utero.
In short, the advice of the obstetrics team to get your baby out fairly imminently is not something I would question. I’d even be asking why they are waiting until Boxing Day. Are you having growth scans and regular ctgs in the meantime?
Echoing what others have said, the need for an induced delivery does not mean you do not have choices. Nor does it mean that your own, very valid, mental health needs and wellbeing should not be taken into account as part of the whole picture. Elective c-section is an option you might want to discuss with your obstetrician, although they may be reluctant to recommend this given the increased
risk of respiratory issues for the baby, especially prior to 38 weeks. If induction is the route you go down, rest assured that it is not a ‘given’ that the experience will be negative. I have cherished memories of all 3 births of my children despite the fact that they were highly medicalised and very far from the romanticised visions I had of relaxed water births. There will be periods of continuous monitoring with an induction but that doesnt mean you cannot have dimmed lighting, lovely music, relaxing smells (I recommend lavender) alongside all the necessary medicalised elements. If a syntocinon drip is needed I would highly recommend an epidural, sited and confirmed to be working before it is started. Contractions on syntocinon are ‘next level’ and I say that not to scare you but to prepare you. There is no shame in getting an epidural and I wish I had got mine earlier on in the induction process than I did. I got a patient controlled epidural which enabled me to press the button just enough to take the edge off the contractions, but still be able to feel them and later be aware of all the sensations of pushing etc.
Best of luck, and as a veteran of 3 inductions prior to 38 weeks, if there is any advice I can give you just ask away. You can do this, and you are about to embark on the most incredible adventure. How special to be having those precious newborn cuddles at Christmas too.