If you had a large first baby do you have to have any additional checks with your second?

[CuppaTeaJanice]

DS was 10lb 4oz at birth. Even though I had extra scans at 28 and 34 weeks (low BMI) nobody was expecting a baby that large.

I've just found out I'm pregnant again, and I'm wondering if I will need to have any additional checks or tests this time based on his size (presumably I still get the extra scans as my BMI hasn't changed?). I don't really know what the extra tests would be, I guess I'm thinking of gestational diabetes etc. Or to check I'm not growing a twelve pounder!!!!

Does anybody know?

You'll need a glucose tolerance test (GTT) to see if you have a tendency to diabetes. Usually done around 28 weeks.

dd was 10lb 11oz. Cons said "do you want a growth scan?" WE said "should we?" he said, well, scans quite rubbish about predicting v big or v small babies, second babies bigger than first, etc, and besides, it's not like they'd do anything like induce or suggest section, so not much point. So we didn't. And ds, despite being 2nd baby and a boy, was a tiddly 9lb 1oz! Our cons is very hands-off re interventions, etc, though, which I think is unusual.

What is involved in a glucose tolerance test? Is that the one they do with the urine samples, or is it a blood test? (please tell me I won't have to fast!!)

I believe it is a fasting blood test sorry.

Oh crapola!! Do you know how many hours I have to fast for? Think I'll have to lock myself away from the cake cupboard!!!

I think its usually after your evening meal,or around 8pm...you could have your tea,and then an early night..:)

DS was just over 4kg (9lb) so not massive but because I also have a high BMI (just over their cut off of 30) that is why they took extra precautions with this pregnancy.

I had 2 GTTs, both of which were perfectly normal, and a growth scan at 34 weeks. Growth scans are generally quite unreliable, but mine showed that this DC is looking quite a bit smaller than DS was at the same stage - it would need nearly a 15-20% error for the baby to be the same size as DS so relatively low chance of this baby being massive. So at that point everyone stopped worrying, not that they were overly worried to begin with. I fell into both categories they look for in my area, but only just (1st baby > 4kg and BMI > 30) so they wanted to keep an eye on me but didn't expect huge issues and looks like there aren't any.

As it is I'm 41+2, so still waiting to see how heavy this baby is!

I had a test when I'd gained loads of weight (as is usual in preg for me!and all my kids have been a good weight). I had to not have breakfast & then at the hospital I had a super sugary drink (was awful & ds moved around alot so was uncomfortable), wait an hour & then I had a blood test.

So is a large baby enough of a reason to need a GTT or is it only a risk if combined with high BMI like megonthemoon or weight gain like bluecardi?

As far as I remember my BMI is about 18.5 or 19, just under the cut off point, which is why I had extra scans last time.

I've never had GTTs, and both babies were very big (and expected to be so). My urine samples were always fine, as were all my tests, and my BMI was normalish

Meant to say, good luck megonthemoon!!

DS was 8lbs 11oz and 10 days early. I was told that this time I would get extra scans to check on size of the baby but I don't know if they will actually do that. No mention of glucose tests though.

DD was 10lbs exactly. I ended up with an EMSC. I was unsure with DS about VBAC or elective right up to the end. No-one (apart from me) seemed to be vaguely interested in how big DS would be, I wasn't offered any extra tests. In the end I opted for an elective. He was a week early and was 8lb 9oz.

No idea what to do this time

Hi! DD was 10lb 1oz born day after due. DS was 8lb 13oz born a week before due. Wasn't offered any tests during pregnancy with DS.

DS was 9lb 9oz and I'm a very normal BMI.

I was quite surprised to be told at my booking in appointment that they'll probably do the GTT as well as an extra scan at some point for me, as DS was almost 2 weeks late and I had a very easy pregnancy last time, so I didn't imagine I'd get extra attention.

My dd1 was 9lb12 at 4 days early, and ds was 9lb3 at 10 days early. No-one said anything about it at all, my Mum also had big babies, even though I am overweight.

However, in my preg with dd2, I also developed leg ulcers which got infected, and then I had a GTT, as infection plus big babies is more diagnostic for GD - but I didn't have it. Dd2 was 7lb13 at 22 days early!!

Some people just have big babies!

My first was over 10 lbs. i had the glucose tolerance test twice, but other than that, no extra checks/scans etc. My second was a 'measly' 7lb-er