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High-Risk Pregnancy
GD = induction/c-section?
Hi all,
I am a FTM, and was told yesterday I have GD. I have been scheduled for a meeting with a nutritionist on Monday, but was wondering- for those who previously had GD, did the high risk label of GD immediately put you on an induction/c-section track with your doctor? I think that is my biggest worry- I can handle the modified diet/exercise, but I don't know how common it is for an OB to automatically assume you will have a big baby and will need to be induced/sectioned. Did any of you find this to be the case, or do they tend to re-evaluate as the pregnancy goes along? Sorry, I know this is a huge blanket statement and each OB is different, but just wanted some personal experiences. Thanks in advance, still trying to figure all this out!
Sarah
~Sarah
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Re: GD = induction/c-section?
With my first, my OB said induction at 39 weeks, regardless of meds or not (I did end up on insulin). C-section was not mentioned until I had been in labor for 30-some hours, and then it was "I don't want to do a c-section on you, let's keep labor going."
With my second, at a different OB, their policy was induction at 39 weeks if on meds, if diet controlled we'll wait and make the decision as we go. I ended up on insulin again, induced again. C-section was never mentioned.
Neither of my babies ever measured big, and were born at 6lbs 11 oz (39w, 2d) and 6lbs even (39w).
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
This.
Cycle 9: BFP 5-3-12:EDD 1-24-13 It's a girl! Born 12-27-12
This will be different for everyone, depending on your doc, hospital policy, and if you are diet controlled, have any other issues come up, etc. . .
I have had two pregnancies with GD, and have been on meds both times. My OBs policy is to induce at 39 weeks because of the risk of the placenta deteriorating as you get further along. You will likely have at least one (if not several) growth ultrasounds, to better estimate the size of your LO. In my experience (with my MFM and OB) they never just assumed the baby would be big, especially if your GD is well controlled, but they do tend to be more cautious.
I do know that some docs are comfortable letting women go to 40 weeks though. I have even heard of some GD ladies going to 41 weeks. I would ask your OB what the policy is and if they are flexible. I did end up with a 39 week induction last time, and am not expected to make it that far this time due to other issues. My induction actually went really well until I had a placental abruption and had to have an emergency section. Given my placental issues, I am glad I did not wait until 40 weeks.
I was diet controlled with my son, but still ended up with a c-section at 38 weeks. I was measuring huge, on an ultrasound his shoulders were bigger then his head and my placenta was deteriorating.
With this baby, I'm on insulin and I picked up a few more complications. Baby is measuring huge and I'm having a repeat c-section
I agree with previous posters. It depends on A) hospital policy ,
the doctor and C) how things turn out.
I'm diabetic (type 1) and I was told GD mom's are more likely to have bigger babies than non-gestational diabetics. However there's too many variables to definitavely determine how big your baby is truly going to be. Genetics plays into it so, don't forget that.
Where I'm going, they don't want to have any diabetic going into labor before 39 weeks due to the slower lung maturity of babies born to diabetic moms. My OBGYN won't consider a c-section unless it's an actual emergency, such as placenta failure or fetal distress. Even my high risk doctor said the exact same thing.
I would just make my wishes very clear and known from day one and hold your ground. I did that and around 20 weeks I ended up firing all of my original doctors. My new ones are very much about nature taking it's course and letting me do things how I need to do them vs. pushing me one way or another.
When I was going to college out of state (Kansas) the OBGYN there told me that when I got pregnant, I'd deliver by c-section only. I get the idea is that it's more controlled and "safer"...however in reality there's the risk of infection and healing issues as well as complications from the surgery such as medication issues.
My OBGYN and MFM said, word for word, "It's not in the best interest of a diabetic mom to have a c-section because the benefits do not outweigh the risks regardless of who is doing the surgery."
I went into labor on my own both times - DS#1 at 39 weeks 6 days and DS#2 at 39 weeks 5 days. Both times they ended up giving me pitocin to speed things along, but I probably could have declined.
DS #1 was 8 lbs. 6 oz. and DS #2 was measuring 8.5 pounds a week before my due date and ended up being 8 lb.s 11 oz. No complications or c-section.
My doctor won't let me go much past 40 weeks with GD, but he doesn't like to induce early. I did have weekly ultrasounds and twice weekly NSTs once I started on insulin, so I was monitored pretty closely.