GD/Delivery/induction questions

Juliebird8307

Someone posted on another board about their last supper before being induced, and it got me thinking. I will be induced at 7pm (cervadil). I didn't think to ask my doctor yesterday, but will I not be able to eat once they start the cervadil? If that's the case, I feel like I will want a huge meal before I go in. What would you eat? Do they test blood sugars often as soon as you go in? I feel like I would eat something that might make my blood sugar a little higher than normal. Would they put me on insulin ifs blood sugar is high? Sorry about the random questions. I just have no idea what to expect!

memali26

If I remember right, once the cervadil is in place it's only clear liquids, nothing substantial. A very 

lovely nurse snuck me popsicles while I was in labor with DD1, though

As far as last meal before induction - with DD1, Dh and I went out for dinner on our way to the hospital. One last date before baby. I think I had something light but filling - a soup/sandwich combo, maybe? With DD2, I just ate a normal meal at home with my family before heading in. I still stayed within my carb limits for both meals, because I knew they'd be testing me shortly after arriving at the hospital. Not sure if that is standard practice everywhere, but it was at the two hospitals where I delivered.

Insulin in labor - I was on insulin in both pregnancies. With DD1, the nurses had me on an alternating glucose/insulin drip. They were not great at regulating it or testing me regularly, so it got out of control and I had a lot of highs and lows. Fortunately DD1's BS was fine at birth. With DD2, I was tested every few hours and my BS stayed stable in the 80's with no glucose/insulin needed. DD2's BS was also fine at birth.

Hope that helps. If you have other questions, let me know, I've had two successful GD inductions

Juliebird8307

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I'm just nervous that if they start cervadil at 7pm and don't start pitocin for another 10 hours, I'll be starving my the time I can push and won't have energy. Plus, us lucky GD ladies can't even have clear fluids with calories in them!

Did you only need insulin because your blood sugar was high, or did they just start you on it automatically? My a1c (I think that's what it is) is only 5.3 so I'm hoping that means no insulin for delivery.

memali26

They started the glucose drip first because my blood sugar dropped into the 50/60 range after over 24 hours of nothing but water and a popsicle or two. The nurses were terrible at watching the drip, so they over corrected and then I needed insulin, which they over corrected again so I needed more glucose... just a vicious cycle. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a typical situation and a lot of nurse error.

Juliebird8307

memali26 said:

They started the glucose drip first because my blood sugar dropped into the 50/60 range after over 24 hours of nothing but water and a popsicle or two. The nurses were terrible at watching the drip, so they over corrected and then I needed insulin, which they over corrected again so I needed more glucose... just a vicious cycle. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a typical situation and a lot of nurse error.

Jeez that's interesting!  Thanks for your help!

Juliebird8307

tricia560 said:

I was advised to have a normal meal (although on the bland, easily digested side) before going in for my induction.  I was allowed clear liquids, juice, jello and popsicles, but they checked my blood sugar every hour, and if it had been consistently high they would have given me insulin.  I only had one slightly high number, because I had a jello + sprite too close together.  I was diet controlled for 19 weeks, so by the time I was in labor, I had a pretty good idea of how much Sprite I could drink--basically a sip every 2-3 contractions.  I really needed some type of sugar to keep going for 12+ hours of labor, so I was grateful they allowed me sprite.  Have to say--I've had no desire to drink any since though!

Thanks!  I don't know what they will allow me because I've been on a small dose of insulin for the past 5 weeks.  I sure how it doesn't turn into a long induction!  I'll ask my doctor at my next appoint what the normal procedure is.  I'm one of those people that like to know everything in advance to try to mentally prepare (although I know that it's pretty much impossible when it comes to labor).