How far along were you when you delivered

I’m really looking for help here because I’m struggling with my OB doctor. Background - I’m 27 almost 28 years old this is my second pregnancy and I’ve had type 1 since 15.

My first pregnancy was fine up until the end, I had a higher A1C in the beginning and only go it down in to the 8’s. I started having strong contractions with him at 32 weeks. Ultrasounds showed he was a big baby. Even with the contractions and going to L&D several times I was never dilated. My water broke at 36 weeks and he was 9lbs 21in. He was perfect just low blood sugar issues so he wound up in the NICU for a few days. He was delivered via C-section due to high BP, high weight and high BS, I also never dilated past 1/2 cm even in 8 hours of labor and all the contractions I was dealing with before.

This time around I’m having a little girl, besides the morning sickness I had with her I was able to get my A1c down to 6.1! I’m doing fairly well blood sugar wise except for a couple weeks where it went/goes out of control and I need to adjust my pump. She seems content just staying in but I am now 36 weeks and have been on Procardia for the past 2 weeks due to all the contractions I’ve been having since about 30 weeks this time around. Ultrasounds look good but she is also measuring big. 2 weeks ago she was at 6lbs 10 oz and that was without them measuring all her belly fat layers, as she has a lot. She seems pretty chunky in the pictures. So the nurses say she was more around 7lbs. She had gained over two pounds in 3 weeks at the point. If she has continued on that same schedule she is about 8lbs now just at 36 weeks. I have not dilated at all even with contractions every 2 minutes at some points.

I cry everyday because of the strong contractions, my sugars go up in to the 200s when I get them, which we know isn’t good for her or I. I also have episodes of high blood pressure, but no preeclampsia, The longer I have the contractions the more my sugars are going to rise, only leading to her large size.

Of course I want her to be healthy and stay in as long as needed but my OB seems to think 39 weeks is the goal… at 39 weeks she could be pushing 10lbs! I don’t feel that is healthy for her or I dealing with my sugars. My endo is a little concerned at waiting until 39 weeks.

Do any of you have stories or know where I can find studies/papers/documents regarding when a Type 1 diabetic should deliver? I just don’t really trust his judgment as every time I go in there he is very wishy washy. He tells me every time “100 years ago you’d be dead not having a baby”— literally every time since 12 weeks. He also tells me that type 1 diabetics don’t have big babies only type 2 and gestational… I just don’t get it.
I know I saw a paper done from the 90’s that said women with type 1 diabetes have a higher instance of contracting but they never dilate. He said he’s never heard of such a thing. I’m just looking for information I can give him so he’ll believe me. I’m scared to have her sit in there too long and something bad happening because he doesn’t understand diabetes.

Thanks!

@elanahan,

I had my son at 39 weeks. He was BIG. 10 pounds 13 ounces. But, he was measuring between 8-9 pounds the Friday before my scheduled induce. I don’t think that there is a specific time frame for when people with T1D SHOULD deliver. I know a lot of people that had their c-sections at 37 weeks. I believe it is because of our babies becoming larger at the end.

The reason for pushing for induction at 39w is that diabetes can age the placenta, causing it to potentially fail at the end of the pregnancy. To my knowledge, docs don’t usually just look at the weight of the baby because the the weight doesn’t mean the baby’s fully developed to be born (regulating body temp, breathing, etc.)

Most doctors are comfortable delivering between 38-40 weeks.

I think it’s good to hear what your doctors have to say but also trust your instincts. If you feel your baby needs to be delivered earlier, it’s okay to let that be known. Your daughter being bigger won’t be a threat to her health at this stage of development, it will just mean she will likely be delivered by cesarean.

They definitely encourage type 1 mothers to be induced early, no matter what size the baby or how healthy the pregnancy because the pregnancy is considered high risk and they are trying to avoid law suits. OBGYNs pay the highest medical malpractice insurance rates.

Try not to stress and enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy. Your daughter will be born exactly when it’s time and it will be okay.