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Why are you inducing? Sorry, I don't remember much about your situation.

Just curious, why wouldn't you wait until your due date? That would solve the issue with your mom staying since the holidays would be over.

Well you answered my question while I was typing

I'd just wait and see and go as long as possible. I didn't want an xmas baby either, but a December baby is a December baby no matter how you cut it

What are the risks of going to full term/post term as a diabetic?

I guess I'd have to weigh those against the risks of early induction, because typically I'm against induction unless in the case of pre-eclampsia or other life-threatening complication.

I would want to do what's best for the baby, but one more data point to consider...

Our local schools offer free pre-K for half a day starting when your child is 3-4. Charlie was born in December and so he will qualify next year, but his friend was born one month later and won't qualify until the next school year. So a few days will end up making a huge difference in cost, since his friend will have to pay for full-time private daycare for 12 more months than him!

I would try and wait too. I know spending christmas in the hospital wouldn't be fun, but is having an earlier induction and not spending christmas in the hospital worth the risks of baby coming too early? If your cervix isn't favorable at 38 weeks and you choose to induce anyway, your chance of c section triples.. are you okay with that? If you are, that's fine....I would just make sure you carefully weigh your options.

You could make having a christmas baby fun! You could bring her home in a stocking and she could always have super festive parties.

I would keep her inside as long as possible! Nothing earlier than 39 weeks unless she decides she's ready to come out before

Just remember that things can change! My sister is a diabetic and I don't think she made it past 37 weeks with all three of her kids. However, she did have blood pressure issues so starting around 35 weeks she would end up on bed rest. Hopefully you won't have to worry about that!

@MaisyMay: Is it possible to have frequent checks in the last month and just play it by ear, going as long as possible unless there are any red flags? You could wait until there is an indicator and do it then.

It's just because there are some serious risks associated with early induction too (early means anything before 39 weeks). The risks to the baby include complications with breathing, feeding, trouble maintaining body temperature, and jaundice.

@MaisyMay: you've got my full support for whatever you decide!! It's clear you've put a lot of thought and research into this!!

@MaisyMay: I was due on Dec 20th and wanted to go into labor naturally but I got induced a week later and LO was born on the 29th. I had begged my Dr to let me wait a few more days but he refused... KP has some firm guidelines about labor induction! Good luck with everything! I'm in the same boat as you for this pregnancy, baby will be delivered early.

@highwire: Exactly. *sigh*

In @MaisyMay's situation it isn't just that she would like the baby to be born before Christmas nor is it for the Dr's convenience. There are so many more risks with a diabetic pregnancy. I think people are missing that fact. So even though her pregnancy is picture perfect rright now, things can change. My sister's blood pressure started spiking around 35 weeks with all three pregnancies and she was put on hospital bed rest. Even at 37 weeks my sister's babies weighed 10lbs, 12lbs and 11lbs.

Is the doctor OK with the baby coming a little early? Maybe just a couple of days (versus a week) would make it easier around the holidays? I don't think it's a huge deal, frankly. Many of my friends are married into the military and they all end up with inductions because it's important for the father to be there.

@MaisyMay: I'm going against the grain....I say if the baby is healthy with fully developed lungs and there is no risk then induce at 38 weeks.
This isn't solely your choice. No good doctor is going to let you have your child early if it's going to be harmful to that child.
I was emergency induced the first time at 37 weeks and had a perfectly healthy almost 8 lbs baby. I was induced at 39 weeks with my second and she was also perfect.
This is a decision between you and your doctor and no one else should try to tell you what to do.
You have plenty of medical reasons to warrant the induction regardless of the personal reasons as well.
Good Luck!

I know a lot of people have talked about risks to the baby being induced early (38 vs 39). Another thing to consider is what type of birth do you want to have. I posted earlier about the Bishop score which rates how favorable you are for induction that will not end in c-section. Inducing early with a low Bishops Score may mean a tougher labor with more medical interventions and a much higher risk that it will result in a c-section. Just want to make sure you would be ok with those risks for yourself as well.

I still don't really understand why (assuming you were healthy) wouldn't wait to induce on the 27/28th. Typically inductions take a while, so it would still put the birthday after Christmas but before New Years. I was induced at 39.5 but would not have been comfortable inducing at 38.

@Pumpkinspice: I think many "good" doctors were once of the opinion that it was okay to routinely induce at 37 weeks and sometimes even earlier, even when there was no medical reason.

@MaisyMay: I think from your post and your responses that you have all of the knowledge you need to make a good decision. There are so many concerns with diabetes that most women don't have to make these decisions. My SIL has diabetes and is trying to get pregnant. There is so much more she has to deal with than most people.

I think you need to do what is best for you and your baby. You have 10 weeks left and ultimately, anything could happen. Baby could be breach which is probably a C-section, baby could want to come early anyway (a friend of ours came naturally 4 weeks early).

My sister is born in December (the 19th) and yes, she often gets only one gift (though the gift is often bigger). My step brother was born on Christmas Eve. I think either way, your baby will get the attention it needs.

It does suck that your mom may not be able to be there as long. But maybe she can come back afterwards.

Great Luck!!!

@Pumpkinspice: well a lot of doctors do make decisions based on convenience. Are you not aware of this? Its been a quite a hot topic. Many doctors and hospitals are trying to change this now since people are now interesting in c-section rates and the like..