Do we all get tested for gestational diabetes?

[Waterfountain97]

I'm 26 weeks today and am concerned about how big my bump is and how big I've got I was a small size 8 before pregnancy and weighed 10 stone and dread to think what I weigh 16 weeks on! I have a routine midwife appointment on the 11th so should I mention this to her or do they just check for it in urine? I'm so confused but so worried and if I do have it what has to change and what do I have to do to keep it managed?

The midwife will check your urine for glucose and measure your bump, if there are any concerns on either account then she will refer you for more tests.
Women usually only get tested for diabetes if they meet certain criteria, family history, previous big baby, raised BMI, previous gestational diabetes, born in certain countries where diabetes is more likely etc.

@LeighaJ testing everyone isn't what is recommended by NICE it should only be if you meet certain criteria.

I was tested for GD this week (I'm 38+6) but that's because I've been diagnosed with polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) which was picked up at a growth scan (which I'm having due to a genetic disorder)

Usually they only test for GD at an early stage if you meet criteria like history of diabetes in the family, high BMI at booking appointment etc, but if your bump is measuring big for your dates or they find sugar in urine then your midwife may send you for a GTT (Glucose tolerance test) which will show if you have GD.

As for the massive comments - just ignore people, your bump looks fine to me! People love to comment on the size of bumps I've had the same comments all through my pregnancy as well, drives me mad but I've learnt to ignore it, though one woman who insisted on telling me I must be having twins as I was so big, did get quite a sharp response from me!

We used to test everyone at 28 weeks but now it's only if there is an increased risk. Your midwife will be testing your urine for glucose at each appointment, she won't weigh you at each appointment though. I'd mention your family history of GD to her. People feel the need to comment on bump size, it's like people can't help themselves!

My glucose in urine was negative but my glucose tolerance test was positive. My body mass index is 21. It has nothing to do with weight. More genetic. My dad was a diabetic. My bump is very discreet too, people don't realise I'm pregnant!

They will start measuring your fundal measurement too so along with this if measuring large and urine sample will determine if need gtt. At the beginning is whether they decide if "at risk" and whether would def need one but this is regularly reassessed throughout the duration of pregnancy

It isn’t only overweight women that get tested at all. Every pregnant woman should be offered the test, it is an opt out one. I had it with my first pregnancy but didn’t bother with the next two. I had massive babies and the midwife flapped over it a little, suggested it may be GD. It definitely wasn’t, I just have big babies...

You look absolutely fine to me.

^They no longer offer as standard to everyone, it is literally based on an initial risk assessment and then if anything crops up throughout pregnancy

I have to have a GTT next week as I had high sugar levels in urine at midwife appt the other day. I'm 30 weeks with my second baby and this is the first time I'll be having the test. I'm not 'cuddly' either

Your bump looks fine op but talk to your midwife if you have any worries. Being pregnant seems to encourage people to talk utter nonsense without engaging their brains even more than usual. Ignore stupid comments!

Really? When did this change? I did the GTT 2 1/2 years ago and was slim before pregnancy. Nothing mentioned about a larger than usual bump. Fat now though 🤣

FWIW, you look great OP. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

It isn’t only overweight women that get tested at all. Every pregnant woman should be offered the test, it is an opt out one.

I've never been offered it, from the sounds of it I'm very glad to avoid it as it sounds like a rank test!

I'm a few weeks ahead of you and have a bump that similarly looks huge on me. I was a 10 before and it's just all bump. One of my sisters was the same. We're just small and carry big babies. Don't go worrying your head unnecessarily, but do mention to your midwife if you're concerned about anything.
I haven't been weighed since my book in appointment. I don't own weighing scales, so I have no idea what I've put on. At my 28 week appointment she measured my bump for the first time and put me above the scale but didn't seem concerned. I'm pretty sceptical on how accurate those scales can be with your first, tbh. She's tested my pee every time and no concerns about it.
I'll have my 31 week appointment later this week and I'd say I'll be big again when she measures. I love my big bump though, well except when I have to move, bend over, try to sleep, etc...

They will test you if a close relative has had diabetes. They will test you if your BMI is over 30. They will test you if they find high levels of glucose in your urine samples which may mean you have it.

Your bump does not look 'too big' by the way!! You look fine! No midwife cares about the size of the bump what you are looking for is swelling of face hands and feet... that indicates a problem... also very very fast weight gain, like 5lbs each week may also signify a problem.
Bump size is not an issue in itself because all women will have different sized bumps depending on how they are carrying the baby and how much water they are carrying and all sorts!!
Please dont compare the size of your bump to other women. You look great!

*i mean they care about the size of the bump in terms of measuring the baby and working out its position obv. What I meant was its no real indicator of gestational diabetes. You have to have the tests to see if you have diabetes and some of the smallest women can end up with it and some very very large women do not get it at all.

Please encourage your MW to test you!! I didn’t fit any categories for gestational diabetes and they wouldn’t let me get tested.. I went into the hospital with reduced movements at 30 weeks and they sent me for an urgent scan, my baby was showing he had grown way too big and they tested me eventually and it came back I had it!! I have done so much research and on the diabetes uk website there is a sad case of a girl who had gone undiagnosed as she did not fit a category and ended up loosing her baby at 38 weeks. I’m only saying this as she had gained a lot of weight and was being fobbed off too. 100% push to get tested, you do not need to fit a category to have it! I’m on 24, not overweight at all and no direct line to diabetes. I now have to manage it with insulin and tablets as well as diet and my baby will be induced in the next three weeks as I can’t go to term but it is better to be safe than sorry! No harm in having it!

Chiming in: it's not just larger ladies who get tested.

Both my mum and nan are/were diabetic so I had to be tested

I had someone joke at me "are you having twins" once. Tosser

There are a few risk factors that prompt testing: personal or family history of GD or diabetes or pancreatis; being overweight or obese; really excessive weight gain on the baby ie it doesn’t matter how big your bump gets but if baby looks too big you will be tested.

I'm tiny (28 inch back) but very tall and I am HUGE when pregnant, I weighed well over 11 stone at term (was 8.5 when I got pregnant) all totally normal and the weight has gradually gone since the birth with absolutely no effort, it just naturally comes off.

If you don't have any other symptoms I wouldn't worry.