Can you go “full-term” (meaning 40 weeks) if you have Gestational Diabetes ?

Question

In my first pregnancy I had GD but went into labor on the beginning of week 39. Has anyone with GD been able to go to the full 40 without being induced or emergency c-section? My due date is November 25 but I would like to go as far as I can but still have my baby naturally. In your experience, have your OBGYNs allowed this request?

Answer

I didn’t have GD with my first and delivered her at 41 weeks via induction. I had no signs of progress up until then either.
I had GD with my 2nd but it was very well controlled, no insulin just by diet. My doc knew that this baby probably wasn’t going to come on his own, like his sister, and he was already measuring big. We scheduled an induction at 39 weeks. She didn’t feel comfortable allowing him to grow another 1-2 weeks, he would’ve been 10-11 lbs. And there was no reason for him too. There’s also other risks associated with GD this close to delivery besides big babies, like cord deterioration. She didn’t feel like it was worth the risk to “wait it out” and neither did I. 
He was born perfectly healthy at 39 weeks after a very easy induction. He was 9 lbs even. 🙂
If it’s super important to you, talk to your OB about it. Every doc is different. Just read up on the risks associated with GD babies who go past 39 weeks so you can make an informed decision. 
Good luck!

Answer

I had diet controlled GD and refused induction with my first. I did lots of research and presented that to my OB and also asked the risk vs. benefits. She seemed very shocked and told us she respected our research. However, she did try and use scar tactics such as "we can refuse care if you have the baby over 41 weeks"... Which is VERY common for FTM's regardless of GD or not. At which point I then straight up told her that I would just find a different hospital if she was telling me not to bother with their practice after 41 weeks. 
Just know that you are in control of your own body! Unless medically necessary you can refuse induction. Just do your research and know your ish when presenting your decisions to your provider.

Answer

Find a supportive provider. I just attended a birth (as a doula) with an amazing unicorn provider - my client was pregnant with her second, had GD (wasn’t using insulin at the time, but had earlier in pregnancy), first baby was big and had shoulder dystocia. She went to 41w2d and then SHE decided she wanted to be induced. No pressure from doc. She set her parameters for the induction (absolutely no pitocin for labor augmentation, only cervical ripeners) and because she had so wisely chosen her provider, she got exactly that. 24 hours from checking in to birth. Baby was 10lbs 10oz, born vaginally, a short and mild shoulder dystocia that was quickly managed by her provider.

Answer

My OB wouldn’t. It depends on lots of factors. If you’re on insulin it’s gonna 100% be a no. If your numbers are good and you aren’t measuring super ahead you might get them to agree to let you go to 40 weeks but even then you still might have to be induced since lots of women go past even 40 weeks. A

Answer

Most people with well controlled GD do. My sister did.

Answer

If it’s well controlled and you’re not insulin dependent, they will likely wait, and if baby isn’t measuring “too big” according to the scans (which I know can tell lies!). I had it and my OB talked about induction at 39 weeks but I also had a preeclampsia diagnosis and I was induced in the 37th week. They were afraid because his tummy was measuring 88th percentile at 36 weeks and everything else was “normal”. He came out 6lb13oz, not even a belly on him.

Answer

I went 39 weeks 6 days bc of doctor's schedule. But I'm sure if I was not doing a c section I would have went full term if not longer. My baby was transverse breech so I had to have a c section.

Answer

In the UK our guidelines (NICE) advise induction at 40+5. It might be different if not diet controlled though. I was induced with my first at 39 weeks (he was measuring big, but not due to GD, that was diet controlled). Unfortunately, induction didn't work, he wasn't ready to come out and he was smaller than predicted. In hindsight, wish I'd waited longer. Do your research and make sure you ask for stats if your doctor starts pushing induction. Sometimes they put on the pressure to induce when the risks are minimal. Good luck and hope you have an amazing delivery.

Answer

Thank you ladies! I’ll talk to my OB closer to my date. 😃

Can you go “full-term” (meaning 40 weeks) if you have Gestational Diabetes ?

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