EBB 388 - Updated Evidence on Induction for Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common reasons families are advised to plan for an early birth. But what does the evidence actually say about induction for GDM? Does it lower the risk of Cesarean? Prevent big babies? Reduce stillbirth? Or does the timing matter more than the induction itself? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Morgan Richardson Cayama walk through the updated research on induction for gestational diabetes. You'll learn how outcomes differ before 39 weeks, between 39–40 weeks, and after 41 weeks, and why blood sugar control (diet-controlled versus medication-controlled GDM) can change the conversation entirely. They also review what major professional organizations recommend and discuss the role of extra fetal monitoring in the third trimester. Most importantly, they talk about informed consent, respectful maternity care, and how to navigate conversations if you're feeling pressure to schedule an induction. (00:02:40) Background & research update (00:05:34) What is GDM? Risks & induction rates (00:08:34) Research challenges & study limitations (00:15:36) Timing of birth: 38, 39, 40+ weeks (00:19:26) Big babies & health risks (00:24:27) Professional guidelines (ACOG, NICE, SOGC) (00:27:14) Birth before 41 weeks: common recommendation (00:27:54) Extra fetal monitoring in late pregnancy (00:32:49) Navigating pressure & informed consent View the full list of references here . Resources Read the updated Evidence on: Induction for Gestational Diabetes: ebbirth.com/inducingGDM Get the free respectful care handout: ebbirth.com/369 Grab your Pocket Guide to Labor Induction here . EBB 370 - Updated Evidence on Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit .

You can listen to EBB 388 - Updated Evidence on Induction for Gestational Diabetes online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

EBB 388 - Updated Evidence on Induction for Gestational Diabetes is an episode from Evidence Based Birth® by Rebecca Dekker.

This episode is 43:26 long.

This episode was published on Feb 25, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Evidence Based Birth® when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.