Hellobee Boards

I totally get where you are coming from! I think what most people don't know, is that with diabetes (and to a lesser extent gestational diabetes), the placenta matures and calcifies at a much faster rate than in "normal" pregnancies.

Yes, in a normal pregnancy waiting until 40 weeks is better for baby, and early induction holds risks, but in a pregnancy with a prematurely matured placenta waiting too long is very risky.

My baby literally went from perfectly fine to reverse cord blood flow in 4 hours, so even daily checks (which I was having, the extra check was just my OB having a "funny feeling") could miss a dangerous situation for the baby.

@Mrsbells: I'm actually quite educated with this topic as this is my third pregnancy. My point was that when picking a dr most woman don't choose one that is known for doing things that way if in fact they don't believe it's the way to go. I have no doubt there are doctors that do this. However, they wouldn't be on my list of "Good" dr's. That was really my point. Maybe I didn't word it correctly.
There doesn't seem to be a lack of professionalism or medical reasoning being given to her by her dr's. They seem in favor of waiting as long as possible.

Main point to the OP, do what's best for you and your child. Nothing you're feeling is selfish.

@MaisyMay as long as your doctor gives you the OK to induce at 38 weeks and your baby and you are healthy, then I wouldn't worry about it. Yeah, it would be better to let the baby cook for another week and not worry so much about when her birthday is or the fact that you're spending Christmas in the hospital (you'll still be recovering at home anyway even if you do induce at 38 weeks so it's not like it'll be a rip-roaring holiday!), and your mom will still get to come when the baby is young. But you may go early anyway, so maybe try not to make too many plans right now and see how things unfold?

At any rate, hang in there -- I don't think you're selfish or endangering your baby, you just have a lot of factors swirling around right now and it can be tough to come to terms with a lot of them! Breathe

@Mrsbells: I'm not sure where there would be confusion but that's fine. I also don't want to take away from the original post.

@MaisyMay: I'm in the minority here but as a child of a diabetic, I'd absolutely go early if this were my situation. My mother went at 36 or 37 weeks and she still suffered MANY of the complications you listed. I was fine, but basically the longer they waited, the more problems she had. I was still nearly 7 lbs and perfectly healthy.

I feel like everyone here is ignoring your very real medical issues and assuming you're just being selfish wanting your baby out sooner. I think you should listen to your doctor. Maybe you can compromise on the date though, and do it say, Dec 19 or 20?

Okay, I have a different viewpoint than most because I gave birth to a very large baby. I did not have diabetes, but my daughter was 10lbs 8oz. She was born 6 days overdue. I was concerned about her size as well but just because she was big does NOT mean she's going to be obese later in life. I'm calling BS on that. I don't know how the diabetes thing impacts that but... yeah.

In my opinion, I say go as long as you can before being induced. If you start to see risk factors, then go for it then. I would keep baby baking as long as it's safe and healthy for the both of you, whether that be 37 weeks or 41 weeks.

@zippylef: @Arden: DH was over 10lbs at birth, and he is now 5'8" and 175 lbs. Small dude.

I think I would wait until there are actual medical reasons to induce, not the possibilty of medical reason. If doctor says baby is fine and diabetes is under control, BP is under control then I would hold off on induction.

I am due Christmas Eve and honestly would not induce unless it was recommended for a medical reason. In the end the birthday vs. holiday issues will work themselves out.

@MaisyMay: do you HAVE to schedule it now? i'm curious as to why it has to be so early as it seems like you would want to make the decision when it gets closer if you have more problems due to GD. i think as it gets closer, the issue of the holiday won't matter as much and you'll be able to have a clearer picture of what's best for you and your LO. good luck!

I kind of thought about this overnight and wanted to tell you that I think you should go with your mommy instinct. No one can tell you what the right thing to do for your baby is. If you want to be induced early, then go for it! Once your LO comes you will learn that there is nothing stronger than your mommy gut feeling.

I think there is such a stigma attached to medically assisted births and moms end up feeling guilty for not going totally natural or having a midwife or doing a home birth. Between the books and documentaries, it is enough to make a mom feel like crap for being induced.

I was induced and even though my mom was vehemently against it, I did it anyway. And I had a positive experience and a healthy baby.