Refusing induction?

Hospital team are strongly pushing to induce me at 37-38 weeks. I understand the risks but believe it’d be better to allow my body to go into labour when ready. I’m 26 with 70% in target most weeks and good hba1c. If intervention is needed after going into spontaneous labour i’d accept it when medically necessary instead of just in case. They were so harsh through the conversation i’m starting to question my gut and view on it though…Has anyone also refused induction or have experience on this?

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I was told induction is because baby CAN double in size in the last two weeks and those with t1 are more likely to have bigger babies, but with 70% in range ur not,, its the excess blood sugar that causes the huge baby thing! Even if you were going to have a 12 pounder plenty of people who aren’t diabetic have big babies and aren’t induced early because of it, do not let them influence you if you don’t want to be, do your own research, trust yourself and your body

I did refuse induction and with my first, they were horrible about it, included it in my maternity notes as she is adamant on not being induced with advice given. Whereas second time, the hospital were lovely. With both of my pregnancies, I did opt for elective c section as I didn't want to be induced and towards the last couple of weeks, my bloods became harder to control like at the beginning/early stages of pregnancy so it was more for the safety of both me and my boys. I had an elective c section with both at 38+1, 38+2 and it worked for me. With my second I did want to go into natural labour before my sugars went crazy and I was booked in for a sweep the same week I had my c section in the end so you could ask for a sweep to help move things along naturally? 🤗

I did my own research because I believed the only reasons for induction were due to risk of baby being large and I’m 80% in range with a great hba1c so was going to flat out refuse and see how things were later in pregnancy. But I discovered that with T1D there are other increased risks later in pregnancy, such as risk of placenta failing after 38 weeks. I’m completely against having an induction, so I’ve instead booked in for an elective c-section at 38+1. I’m really happy with the decision and it’s taken so much worry and stress away

The risks aren't just a big baby. Placenta deterioration can occur quickly, stillborn risks go rapidly up.
I'm being induced at 38+1 this week.
Type 1 diabetes management during pregnancy is an ever changing field. I've had a hba1c in the 5s the entire time and well above 70%. And whilst that slashes the odds of complications, they just don't know still if we can go full term safely. For me it was no question. Baby is coming out early, they're fully developed and feel like they're safer out of me than in by this point.
It could be with advancements and increased control that we are able to go full term and spontaneous labour, but there is no research to back this up yet.

Truly praying for your baby, that you make a choice in their best interest. As some one who experienced three high risk pregnancies the only goal was to bring them home by any means necessary.

I was induced at 36+6 type 1 diabetic but baby had complications with heart and cuz of blood sugars etc she had come out early aswell x

I got induced at 38 weeks no complications.

I was induced at 37+2, no complications delivered a healthy baby boy diabetes during pregnacy was around 75% - 80%in range,

You do what feels right for you x

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Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

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