Baby on 95th percentile at 28 weeks - testing for gestational diabetes :(

[cantthinkofaname2021]

This never ends I feel like I'm endlessly posting here!
I had a growth scan at 28 weeks last week as I have another condition (ovarian cyst) so just need extra scans to monitor babies size
Baby on 95% percentile and estimated 3.5 pounds. My last baby was 9 pounds and myself and brother & sister were all between 9-10 pounds so I think it might be genetic
Anyhow the midwife has called saying they need to test me for gestational diabetes and have 2 blood tests 2 hours apart. I just had my 28 week bloods last week and it was very traumatic it took almost 30 minutes to get the blood out, Im still having nightmares about it now. I've had to have about 30 blood tests in the last year and I had got used to it until the one last week, I can't cope with anymore
Wouldn't the urine tests my midwife does pick diabetes up? I don't have any of the factors that are likely to cause GD. I really do not want to have another blood test :(

I was diagnosed with GD last pregnancy at 28 weeks with GTT. It might not be too nice but definitely worth checking because undiagnosed GD can be dangerous.

I was PETRIFIED of needles (have got less so now I've had so many blood tests and was basically a pin cushion through labour and then EMCS), but it isn't too bad - the 2 hour wait is the worst bit!

Obviously you will need to fast but I recommend drinking plenty of water because that seems to make it easier to draw blood.

Also, my family have huge babies and I'm average weight and healthy so I didn't think for one second I would have GD so was massively shocked when I did.

You can do it! x

I had to have GTT test twice with our son who was measuring 4 weeks ahead at a 28wk scan. Had it in 2 other pregnancies and have it next month for this one. All previous tests were within normal ranges for me, I just grow big babies.

My veins can be a bugger but the staff at these are really good at getting blood. It may feel rough but it's worth having to rule out or diagnose GD. Make sure you drink lots of water as it will help.

Thank you both for the helpful replies! Would this not be picked up via urine samples? I had a blood test at 24 weeks as I was very feeling tired and this was clear and they tested for GD then and I was all clear. I really want to avoid it as I have to have an mri soon again which is also traumatic for me plus I'm having a c section 😰

No, urine samples won’t pick it up. You need to have the blood tests. I appreciate they aren’t pleasant but they are quick (if you drag the test out by half an hour, you’ll need to redo the whole thing so focus on that when it’s being done).

GD increases a whole host of risk in things, including stillbirth. It’s a quick blood test, two hours peaceful reading of a book, and another test. That’s it.

In all seriousness, if you can’t handle a GTT how do you think you will cope with a c section?

Can you use a heat pad before they draw the blood? I have bad veins and this made a giant difference to me especially since I was only allowed sips of water before the test so was a bit dehydrated too. I understand the needle thing I am not a fan either. If you can’t get a heat pad run the hot tap in the toilet and use the toweling paper for drying you hands as a hot compress it will do the same thing and make it much easier to draw blood!

Oh and just to say too, it’s so worth having the test. I hadn’t any of the risk factors really and had a late diagnosis last pregnancy! Better to know than not as it will impact your care, they will want to keep an eye on you if you have it.

Op, drink lots of water beforehand and ask them to use a butterfly needle. I have terrible veins but butterfly needles are so much better and I barely feel a thing.

As other posters have said, a urine test wouldn’t work for diagnosis. I have GD (despite having no risk factors) and I’ve never had sugar in my urine.

I’ve had to have this before, the drink is minging. Never had GD though just grow them enormous....so big I can’t birth them naturally 🤦🏼‍♀️

Have you heard of Emla numbing cream?
I think you put it on half an hour before you're having your blood test.

I've had three lots of these (all negative) and they're not exactly a fun day out but they're useful and necessary, otherwise the NHS wouldn't do them.

Drink lots of water before the blood draws and it'll be easier to get the blood out.

I had it twice (and had an mri while pregnant which was awful). Both negative and both times my consultant was convinced I had GD. I am rubbish with needles and the first GTT needed 4 attempts (and 2 people) to get the blood but have found drinking lots of water and washing my hands in warm water to get blood flowing helped. Good luck!

I had GD and never once had sugar in my urine so unfortunately the blood test is necessary. A hot water bottle or heat patch on the area will help with getting the blood sample.

Thank you all for the helpful replies, it's booked for next Tuesday morning
Last Thursday she tried in one arm and I could feel the needle moving around and she said she couldn't get anything so she called someone else who came and did it very roughly in my other arm, it never hurt that much before. I'm panicking because I'm sure it will be the same people doing it :( I may have been dehydrated that day I didn't think of that so thank you
I will have to cope with the c section as I have no choice I'll be glad when it's all over 🥴 I'm also having my cyst removed at the same time I've had problems with that pre pregnancy and fed up of being ill I'll be grateful when it's all over x