EBB 388 - Updated Evidence on Induction for Gestational Diabetes
Evidence Based Birth®
Rebecca Dekker
4.3 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 25 February 2026
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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 www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi, everyone. On today's podcast, we're going to talk about the updated evidence on induction |
| 0:05.7 | for gestational diabetes. |
| 0:11.4 | Welcome to the evidence-based birth podcast. My name is Rebecca Decker, and I'm a nurse with my |
| 0:16.5 | PhD and the founder of evidence-based birth. Join me each week as we work together to get evidence-based |
| 0:23.2 | information into the hands of families and professionals around the world. As a reminder, |
| 0:28.7 | this information is not medical advice. See eBbirth.com slash disclaimer for more details. |
| 0:37.4 | Hi, everyone, and welcome to today's episode of the evidence-based birth podcast. |
| 0:42.3 | Before we get started with this episode all about the updated evidence on induction for |
| 0:47.2 | gestational diabetes, I do have an important announcement for you. |
| 0:51.0 | Today, February 25th, is the last day to register for the 2026 evidence-based birth |
| 0:56.2 | conference at the early bird rate before ticket prices go up. So if you want to join me and 13 other |
| 1:02.0 | expert speakers for sessions on respectful maternity care, the evidence on the hepatitis B vaccine |
| 1:07.9 | for newborns, and pelvic floor health in the second stage of labor, |
| 1:12.0 | be sure to grab your early birth ticket by midnight on Wednesday, February 25th. |
| 1:16.7 | You can learn more about our conference, our speakers, and all the topics, or go ahead and secure |
| 1:21.8 | your spot now by visiting eBbirth.com slash conference. |
| 1:26.5 | And now let's get started with today's episode. |
| 1:29.1 | My co-host for today is Dr. Morgan Richardson-Kayama, and I'm so excited that we're going to be |
| 1:34.7 | talking together about this important topic that we get questions about all the time. |
| 1:40.5 | And just as a side note, you will be able to access all of the information from this podcast, |
| 1:46.3 | including scientific references, our updated full-length signature article that's been peer reviewed, |
| 1:52.2 | as well as a free two-page handout about the evidence on inducing for diabetes by visiting eBbirth.com |
... |
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