Will I be induced early if I have gestational diabetes?

If your blood sugar is within normal levels and there are no concerns about your or your baby’s health, you may be able to wait for labour to start naturally. However, you’ll usually be offered induction of labour or a caesarean section if you have not given birth by 40 weeks and 6 days.

Can I have a natural birth with gestational diabetes?

You should be able to. Having gestational diabetes (GD) doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t have your baby vaginally. You’ve got a better chance of having a birth without any interventions, such as induction or caesarean section, if you can keep your blood sugar levels stable during pregnancy.

How does gestational diabetes affect labor and delivery?

Gestational diabetes that’s not carefully managed can lead to high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby, including an increased likelihood of needing a C-section to deliver.

Can I refuse to be induced with gestational diabetes?

If you do not want to be induced you should speak with your consultant and diabetes team; communication is key! You have the right to refuse and no mother can be forced into having an induction, but it is advisable to make an informed decision, rather than just refusing based on hearsay or an impulsive gut reaction.

How common is stillbirth with gestational diabetes?

The overall risk of stillbirth from 36-42 weeks was higher in women with GDM when compared with women without diabetes (17.1 vs. 12.7 per 10,000 deliveries, RR 1.34 (95% CI 1.2 – 1.5).

Can I deliver at 37 weeks with gestational diabetes?

Because of the complications sometimes associated with birthing a big baby, many clinicians have recommended that women with gestational diabetes have an elective birth (generally an induction of labour) at or near term (37 to 40 weeks’ gestation) rather than waiting for labour to start spontaneously, or until 41 weeks …

Does gestational diabetes make baby more active?

We hypothesize that some offspring of women with GDM may be intrinsically more active in utero, and those that are active may be able to compensate for the hyperglycemia and thus minimize their risk of macrosomia.

What birth defects are caused by gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes also can cause health complications for your baby after birth, including:

• Breathing problems, including respiratory distress syndrome (also called RDS).
• Jaundice.
• Low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia)
• Obesity later in life.
• Diabetes later in life.

Is gestational diabetes considered a high risk pregnancy?

Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), may need high-risk pregnancy care due to complications that can arise during pregnancy and childbirth. Women with GDM have an increased risk of preeclampsia, a condition that leads to pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.

Is it bad to lay in bed all day when pregnant?

Disrupted maternal sleep is often associated with poor pregnancy outcomes like preterm babies, growth restrictions and more. However, oversleeping can also have a detrimental impact on the health of the child. Yes, you read that right, sleeping for more than nine hours can pose a risk for your baby’s health.

Do you have to have an epidural with gestational diabetes?

If you don’t go into labor on your own, or your baby shows signs he/she’s getting too big or isn’t thriving in the uterus, then you can do an induction. Your doctor can keep careful tabs on how baby’s doing with non-stress tests, kick counts and ultrasound. And you don’t have to have a “just-in-case” epidural.

Is there evidence for induction for gestational diabetes?

Get our free, one-page handout on Induction for GDM today to use in your informed decision making! Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as high blood glucose (high blood sugar) that develops during pregnancy (ADA, 2018). We cover the evidence on diagnosing GDM in a separate Evidence Based Birth® article here.

What to do if you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy?

If a woman’s diabetes was not well controlled during pregnancy, her baby can very quickly develop low blood sugar after birth. The baby’s blood sugar must be watched for several hours after delivery. Eat healthy foods from a meal plan made for a person with diabetes. A dietitian can help you create a healthy meal plan.

How is gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ) defined?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as high blood glucose (high blood sugar) that develops during pregnancy (ADA, 2018). We cover the evidence on diagnosing GDM in a separate Evidence Based Birth® article here. Two of the main questions that come up in caring for pregnant people with GDM are the following: Should labor be induced?