29 weeks - slowed baby’s growth + GD

[dreamerkr]

Hey guys. I found out just over 2 weeks ago that I have gestational diabetes, and it’s diet controlled. I’m controlling it well so far but I don’t think I’ve been eating enough because half the time I don’t even know what to eat. Anyway, I had a NHS growth scan an hour and although baby is measuring within the normal limits, his growth has slowed down since the last growth scan which was 2 and a half weeks ago. He’s measuring as he should be at 29 weeks (tomorrow) but his growth has slowed and his femur and abdominal measurements have dropped. Does anyone know why this can be? Can it be because of my change of diet and GD? The diabetes midwife told me not to worry and booked me in for another scan in 2 weeks time but I’m so worried and scared.

Scans aren’t exact (I think they should be seen as estimates and the measurements could be 5-10% easily) which is probably why you have another scan booked which should help clarify if there is an issue. There may be no issue at all.

Have you joined the GD UK Facebook group? It’s fantastic and there’s a website with lots of recipes. High fat high protein low carb really worked for me and I stayed diet controlled despite being close to medication in the first few weeks while I learned what my body could tolerate.

You definitely need to eat, but I wouldn’t worry about your diet affecting baby growth as my understanding is that the baby will take what it needs from you.

Good luck, I know it’s awful to get that kind of news but hopefully it’s a blip and on re-scanning there is no issue.

Thank you so much, I’ll check it out. I was so dumb that I got a private growth scan 4 days ago (before finding out I have a NHS one), and I just looked at the measurements and compared. The abdominal and head measurements are the same and this is worrying me even more now. I don’t know what to do or how I’ll wait for 2 weeks. 😫

Since 20ish weeks baby has been measuring bigger than his dates and now some of the measurements have dropped on the chart. He’s now within the normal range but it means that his growth has slowed

Am I stupid to worry? The diabetes midwife wrote in my notes that baby’s growth dropped from 95th centile to under 90th centile so that’s not too bad is it?

Hi @dreamerkr had to reply as I'm in the same situation! I was diagnosed with GD at 29 weeks.
Had a growth scan that day which showed baby measuring just over 90th and 97th for AC. Two weeks before growth scan showed baby at just under 90th.
My growth scan at 31 weeks showed baby had dropped to just under 90th again, around the 80th. I asked two different doctors if this could be because my diet has drastically changed since the 29 week scan and the 31 week scan. They both said no. But the sonographer said different and that they see it all the time in ladies with GD...
the doctors said the baby will take what it needs. So who knows ? 🤷🏼‍♀️
Another possibility is that on the 29 week scan the measurements were slightly off and actually baby hasn't really dropped much at all...

I have my 33 week scan on Thursday so am interested to see where she is at now. All I've done is majorly reduced sugar, I'm not exactly low carb but certainly eating healthier than I was. Try not to worry, baby is still above average. What was baby's estimated weight ? Mine was 4.5lbs at 31 weeks

@thunderonlyhappenswhenits thank you so much for your reply. I’ve majorly reduced sugar too, I don’t even think I have any at all tbh except no added sugar squash. I’ve reduced my carbs too and my overall food, because I’ve been finding it difficult to know what I can eat and what I can’t eat. Before finding out I have GD, I used to eat so much sugary stuff and drank juice all the time, everyday. I definitely feel like removing sugar from my diet and lowering carbs has affected baby too because I always am feeling so lazy and honestly I never feel full.

Baby’s weight I think is 2lb 11oz, I’m not sure if that’s okay for almost 29 weeks pregnant but I hope so.

Good luck for your 33 week scan, I hope everything looks great and baby’s doing fine!

Wait no, baby’s weight was 2lb 11oz 4 days ago in the private scan

anyone?

@dreamerkr I was terrible for it, magnums most nights and I really miss them 😆 I really let myself indulge so it was a huge shock to the system when diagnosed and having to overhaul my diet overnight, it's really tough isn't it ! I'm also really drained all the time, it's a massive effort to do anything atm, sometimes I wonder is it the stage I'm at or the diabetes?! I walked to the shop today and had to stop for a break on a bench...

I'm not 100% certain with weights but I think that sounds about right, baby was 2.5lbs at my 27 week scan. But remember your growth chart is personal to you, so no point comparing weights with anyone else's really.

I don't think you should be worrying really as firstly you want to slow babies growth down with GD anyways and baby is still a good size, well above the average on the 90th percentile. They will keep scanning to check baby is staying on that line and that the drop doesn't become a trend.

@thunderonlyhappenswhenits exactly the same with me! I used to eat an ice cream every night and drank so much juice too everyday and now that I’m not having anything sugary, I have no energy most the time! Whenever I go even for a short walk, I have to stop to rest in the middle because I get so tired and out of breath. It’s so annoying.

thank you so much!

This is my grow chart

The earlier scan could have been 10% out which is why both more recent ones show the difference. You just don’t know, it’s going to be a slog but you just need to wait for your next scan to see how things are tracking.

Check out the GD UK website because you can honestly eat as much cheese, eggs and meat as you want, for example. I was eating like 5 meals a day and like many in that forum, didn’t gain any more weight during pregnancy.