Glucose tolerance test

[lockdownbabyx]

I have just received a letter to attend a glucose tolerance test, it's the first I've heard of it. Is this standard practice for everyone? I had my first child in 2021 and it was never mentioned then. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow so will ask then, I was just curious.

It might be because you are older now so are at more risk for gestational diabetes
I wasn't asked for one for DS1 but did have to do one for DS2 - which ended up positive
Was a bit complicated to deal with because I have other medical issues but got it under control with insulin, DS2 was absolutely fine and my bloods were back to normal within a few hours of giving birth.

I didn’t have the test with my first pregnancy but then as I had big babies they tested me for gestational diabetes in all subsequent pregnancies, I never had it I must just grow them big. You must have a risk factor, sometimes it’s something like family history etc x

Yeah probably a risk factor there as pp mentioned, either family history so parents or siblings, bmi, pcos etc
To be honest though you'd have thought your midwife would have mentioned it ?

Have a look back through your notes, there may be a sheet in there where they’ve identified a risk factor and noted the need for the test?

Hi! Most clinics prescribe a glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you are deemed to be at risk (age, increased weight, prior pregnancy with large baby, family history, etc), clinics will sometimes screen you earlier. Here is a great article I recently found which provides an overview of gestational diabetes: www.mamasconnected.com/post/gestational-diabetes-pregnancy-macrosomia

Sending you best wishes x

Thanks all. No family history of it and my first child was only 6lb with no complications. Must be my BMI which is over 30, but it was in my last pregnancy too 🤷🏻‍♀️. Have my midwife app this morning so will bring it up ☺️

Hi,

i had a glucose test with my last pregnancy and was told it was because my bmi was over 30

My BMI is 29 so just under, but I'm having the test as my mum has diabetes so they ticked direct relative with diabetes. My sister's BMI is over 30 and she had a baby in 2021 but didn't have the test, they just done bloods with hbac1 (or something like that!) which I've also had done which came back fine but still got an appt for the tolerance test. Maybe they've upped them this year

At my booking appointment my midwife told me I wouldn't need one this time round (1st and 2nd baby everyone had to have it) as my bmi was under 30 and I don't have a history in my family. So I would assume it's one of those reasons your having to have it.