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Original poster

Midwife appointments and GTT tests....

41 replies

Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 13:38

Booking, 16, 27 (for GTT), 34 weeksand that it, really?! (I know thee is one at 40, but I am having ELCs so will have had my baby by then).

I remember far more in my first pregnant many years ago. Now it says on my notes to see the GP for shared care at 36 and 38 weeks (I'll be seeing consultant ahead of CS).

Just had my 16 week appointment, not booked for another until January, seems a million miles away! She wasn't even going to listen to my baby's heartbeat today, she only did as my ds schoo is on strike done was with me and desperate to hear it.

Also, I remember the GTT only being for those with a high bmi or other risk factors? At my hospital it seems to be routine for everyone, is this a new thing?

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Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 13:39

Grr, phone typos, sorry!

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe40nappies · 17/10/2013 13:41

They see you much less often with second and subsequent pregnancies.

The GTT - do you have any risk factors? PCOS? Family history of diabetes?

Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 13:45

No, no risk factors at all. Bmi is 28, but from an t I've read it's bmi of 30+ that's a risk factor. Bmi was 28 with ds too and I didn't have to have it.

There was no discussion about it, it's in the notes as 27 week GTT appointment and that's it.

OP posts:
MrTumblesKnickers · 17/10/2013 13:46

Wow, that does seem a little hands-off! No appointments till Jan?! This does illustrate the need for more care (especially scans) in later pregnancy.

I had the GTT as a matter of course with both pregnancies, as did other friends with low BMIs.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 17/10/2013 13:48

MrTumbles - why does it? I genuinely didn't feel the need to see anyone.

Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 13:54

I'm not complaining actually. I found the midwives in my first pregnancy a bit much. The two appointments I've had this time they haven't had much to say really.

I've a scan at 20 weeks and will prob have a private one at 32 weeks - I am swapping to private consultant care at my hospital at 36 weeks and he consultant likes at 32 week scan to be done to check every thing is ok.

OP posts:
bundaberg · 17/10/2013 13:56

i am sure that the OP can make an appt any time if she has concerns.

NICE guidelines I think state a minimum of 4 m/w appts or thereabouts.
really if you're having a straightforward pg there is no need to be seen too often, unless you have concerns.

OP... I wouldn't do the GTT just as routine, there is no need. I'm refusing it this time myself.

terilou87 · 17/10/2013 14:00

In our area gtt is for anyone with BMI over 30, appointments here are, booking in/ bloods after 8 weeks, scan 12 weeks, mw 16weeks, scan 20 weeks mw 24 weeks, gtt and/or mw @28 weeks, mw 32 weeks then every 2 weeks till due, x

MrTumblesKnickers · 17/10/2013 14:02

Alibaba because the UK has a poor record of stillbirths and one of the contributing factors is the lack of scans towards the end of pregnancy.

Sorry OP - do not want to scare you, obviously the majority of pregnancies are absolutely healthy.

Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 14:06

I was thinking about turning down the GTT. I have no risk factors at all. It was just a bit of a shock that it was made as a routine appointment.

Nothing in the notes about risk factors, it's just marked down in the list of appointments. The midwives at booking and today didn't even discuss it, as I was leaving today she told me to queue at the desk to make my GTT appointment for 27 weeks and that was that.

Oh, and yes I can make extra appointments if I have any concerns, there is a separate number on the notes for that purpose.

OP posts:
Excited2meetmyprincess · 17/10/2013 14:25

I have seen my midwife every four weeks up til the last 6 weeks when I saw her every two weeks. But this is my first x

littleomar · 17/10/2013 14:59

I had to do GTT because I'm over 35. Not overweight. Do have family history but nobody has asked about it.

MrTumblesKnickers · 17/10/2013 15:11

I have GD that was picked up as a routine appointment, came as a shock to me - normal weight and totally normal first pregnancy. Any reason you're not keen to take the test?

Wincher · 17/10/2013 15:13

I had to have a gtt with my second pregnancy because of having had a previous baby over 4kg - does this maybe apply to you?

I only had mw appointments at 8 weeks (booking), 16 weeks, 28 weeks, 36 weeks and 38 weeks. It didn't feel like much!

fuckwittery · 17/10/2013 15:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 15:24

I just find it strange that in some areas it's not routine unless there are risk factors but in my area, everyone has it.

Ds was 6lb 5oz, so I don't even have a history of big babies! Just seems strange.

If it was routine in my first pregnancy I would have declined it as I had HG. I was struggling to keep water down at 27 weeks, one sniff of lucozade would have had me running for the loo, it would have been impossible!

OP posts:
TarkaTheOtter · 17/10/2013 15:29

Why would you refuse the GTT??? If you have undetected GD it can increase the likelihood of placental abruption, premature labour, neonatal hypoglycemia, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia and perinatal death. It is a SERIOUS pregnancy complication which we are lucky enough to be able to detect. Detected and controlled GD, your risk of these things is no higher. It is possible to have GD and have had no risk factors. In lots of countries (US for example) ALL pregnant women are screened for it as standard.

TarkaTheOtter · 17/10/2013 15:30

Sorry - appreciate I am quite passionate about this for personal reasons.

TobyLerone · 17/10/2013 15:33

I've had appointments once a month or so up to now -- I'm high-ish risk due to fibroids. But I saw my MW today (28+4) and she doesn't want to see me again now until 34 weeks. Then I have another consultant appointment and scan at 36 weeks and after that it depends on whether I have to have an ELCS or can have a VB, I suppose.

It's definitely normal in 2nd/subsequent pregnancies. I'm surprised I've been seen as often as I have so far.

TobyLerone · 17/10/2013 15:35

Also, I agree with Tarka. Why on earth would you refuse a GTT if offered one?

Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 15:36

Tarka - I haven't refused it. I was just thinking it as strange that it is routine at my hospital as I have no risk factors.

OP posts:
TarkaTheOtter · 17/10/2013 15:38

Sorry OP wasn't directed at you, just generally at some of the comments on the thread.

Original poster
Makqueen2 · 17/10/2013 15:39

Also, I've read that it takes two to three hours. My anti natal notes say that it will be one hour?

Fwiw, I eat low carb anyway (apart from a few weeks when I was staging off sickness with mashed pototo and pies) so if I did turn out to have GD, then it wouldn't require any change if diet to control it.

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 17/10/2013 15:45

I heard a lady being booked in for a GTT today when I was in the waiting room at the doctors surgery. Apparently you have to remain in the surgery for 2 hours in case of an adverse reaction.

TarkaTheOtter · 17/10/2013 15:46

You might be having a one hr screening test (like a mini-GTT). This is what is offered to all women in the US. You'll then be offered the full GTT if you fail that.
A low carb diet isn't always enough, it depends on the severity of the condition. I have a very low carb diet (and a generally healthy lifestyle, low BMI etc) and still have had GD in both my pregnancies. It just means that you have very little scope for adjusting your diet/exercise once GD is discovered and are more likely to need additional medication.

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