Should I get an Induction?

[flyingbeet]

I have gestational diabetes and I had my 36th week scan and baby is measuring 4lbs 13oz which is the 3rd percentile. My last scan was at 33 weeks and she's only increased a pound since then. The doctors are saying that I need to be induced and because baby is small she may not tolerate it well so there will be more interventions. I'm more likely going to do it because I've been scared about the risks of having a stillborn and them saying my placenta will continue to get less efficient at its job of feeding my baby. The only little doubt I have in my head is that baby girl so far is very healthy. She's moving and kicking lots and her heartbeat is all good. And I'm almost 5 pounds. I was born a 6 pound baby and I know so many other babies that were too. Maybe by week 40 I can go into spontaneous labour and baby is 6 pounds? Maybe ultrasounds aren't as accurate. I'm kind of confused. I have another scan today and we'll be discussing induction date

Hey OP. So mine is the opposite. I also have GD but my baby is over the 90th percentile so been advised c section is best and having that tomorrow. They did mention induction a while back but it’s got to the point where she is too big now 🫣 They did say scans can be 10% out either way but I’m not risking it. I know a lot of people hate inductions but I think go with the professionals opinion on what’s safer for you and your baby

Like they say, your placenta gets less efficient at the end of your pregnancy at nourishing your baby so I'm not sure it would be the case that keeping baby in would result in more weight gain.
Have a think about whether you can start doing colostrum expressing next week so you are ready to start nourishing your baby as soon as they are born, as low blood sugars for baby is a risk when you've had GD in pregnancy.
I hope your scan goes well today

When do they want to induce you ? I was induced at 38 weeks I had GD and preeclampsia they estimated my little one to be 7 pounds she was 6lbs 10oz so not far off . It all went very well for me and very quick she was a little shocked when she was born but absolutely perfect.

Would you consider asking for a c-section? I was induced at 39 weeks due to age risks and.m concerns over the placenta.

I went into the induction very positively and my first was natural birth with interventions so know exactly what could happen again.

I ended up having an emcs. It the induction was ok but clearly my baby wasn't ready to come out and then became distressed so onto emcs.

Remember you have choices - they will push induction.

I got a very upset at one stage over being induced and my midwife overs alternatives such as daily monitoring at 40 weeks instead of induction. So again - ask if this is an alternative

Hi. I also had GD and I gave birth to a baby girl last year who weighed 5lb 12oz at 38 weeks. There were concerns regarding her weight, she was predicted to be a lot smaller. Currently shes still between 2-9 centile - docs/hv have all reassured me that she’s slowly gaining weight. Plus both her dad and I are only 5’2! My consultant wanted me to get induced at 39 weeks as she wanted to give my baby a few more weeks to grow but I ended up going into spontaneous labour. She didn’t want me to take a risk and stretch to 40 weeks due to GD. Despite following a very strict diet, I had to take 4 x metformin daily! I think it’s best to listen to your doctor as they will always weigh out the pros/cons before making a decision.

They should monitor with growth scans and check placenta efficiency if baby is ok and placenta working and amniotic fluid is fine they should leave you well alone.
Why would you automatically have a stillborn? Are you dealing with GD and controlling levels?

My DS was 4th centile at 38 weeks growth scan no GD I had ICP but he was happy and healthy so told them no induction although they insisted!!!
He was born naturally at 39w 5d at a very healthy 6lbs no issues or complications for either of us.

Be informed. Ask questions. Research and make a choide that you are happy with. If you go against thwir advice they probably get your to sign some papers which is what I had to do.

Had I listened to the Drs I would have had a horrible experience and unneeded interventions. If GD is out of control and there is a exiating medical risk to you and baby then 100% go with the medical advise. I wouldn't meas about with Preclampsia as that is very serious for baby. But GD is monitored and controlled well you can get to a further stage of pregnancy very happily and healthy.
Placenta doesn't become inneffiecnt as I know lpys of Mamas who have carried 42 weeks / 43 weeks and had healthy thriving babies.
My BFF is 5"1 and had 4 home births all her babies were over 9lbs - 11lbs. Long labours but she and babies were all fine.