Suspected Gestational Diabetes 34 Weeks after baby suddenly bigger

[GemstoneCF]

Hi everyone, sorry for the long thread but here we go :

I’m 34 weeks pregnant and have been monitored with extra scans since 20 weeks as baby was measuring small. Had a growth scan at 32 weeks that had her bang on 4lbs and they were happy with that and now had her on 20th percentile on my growth chart after having been on the 10th before. I had reduced movements last week / her pattern changed completely, so I was referred for a scan. Showed her as being 5lbs 6oz just 10 days after the previous scan (33+4 when I had this scan) so she’s put on a significant amount of weight in short amount of time and is now bigger than average after being smaller than average throughout. Doctor at triage suggested I have another Glucose Tolerance Test to rule out GD, but wasn’t worried. I had one at 28 weeks due to husband’s family history but all was fine.

Went in this morning to have the test and they were baffled / said I didn’t need one and they didn’t have me booked in (even though I had letter stating otherwise) and were extremely dismissive and condescending to me, so much so that I burst into tears in the DAU. After calling various people they said I did in fact need one and the diabetes midwife would be in touch within a week to book me for an emergency appt.

Long story short - I don’t know whether I should be changing my diet etc. already or if I should be worried, so confused and now don’t even know when I’ll get a test. Anyone else’s baby suddenly shot up in percentiles or had a negative then positive GD result? I’m really struggling with my anxiety at the moment and this on top (plus being shouted at by a midwife this morning) has got me really low. Any help much appreciated xx

Hiya - I know this feeling! I had the same a few weeks ago, baby went from 55th at 28 week scan to 80th at 32 week scan and i'm 36 weeks now and they are estimated 7lbs already🐷 and now up on the 89th centile but - these scans are apparently notoriously inaccurate at this stage, but to be honest my bump is ALL baby so it's definately a sizeable chubk in there. My consultant wasn't concerned - as it was 'all big' if that makes sense. GD would normally present with a bigger tummy and excess fluid (this is what she told me anyway) and if you yourself have put on quite a bit in pregnancy?

anyway! I had to redo my GD test and it was negative again completely normal (had also got negative at 28) - some people just have bigger babies. Whilst I might if I were you cut the carbs slightly, I wouldn't do anything too drastic until you have a confirmed GD diagnosis xxx

Thank you so much for replying!! This is really helpful!! I’m the same - don’t have a huge bump and it’s def all baby, I’ve put on about a stone and a half in whole pregnancy so no major concern there yet I guess. I’ve managed to get an emergency appt tomorrow (only off back of finding the midwife’s number online, midwife this morning apparently hadn’t even referred me 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️) so hopefully I’ll get answers soon. From the scan her tummy is big but so is the rest of her like you said, and fluid is still normal too, it’s just so confusing going from being told she’ll be teeny tiny for months, to suddenly a bigg’un!!

Are they talking about inducing you early or anything or can you go to term? Thank you again for responding I really appreciate it xxx

Hi OP.

In both of my pregnancies, baby started out measuring fairly small (around 20th centile) and was referred for a scan. In both cases, between 29 and 31 weeks, baby's growth went from that to around 65th centile so was sent for further scan. All appeared normal so I had no further scans.

I was tested for GD and came back borderline but negative both times (I also had problems with getting GD test done so empathise with the stress it can cause!)

When my first was born, he was 91st centile. He was born at 41+3 so no need for induction or similar. It was never even discussed. Currently 36+3.

Try not to worry but if it is making you anxious (as it did with me with my first) you could always try to adapt your diet in the meantime. That's what I did and it gave me some sense of control whilst they sorted out my GD test.

Good luck!

Yes i've been told she'd want to induce at 39.... i'm already electing for a c section though due to an unrelated medical issue so I didn't really give that much thought.... I think I've read so much those scans are wrong and inductions are done unecessarily that I would be hesitant to accept especially at 39.l my first baby liklihood it wouldn't work would just send me into a spin!! 🤣

dr felt my bump today and said it was certainly a sizeable baby so i may well be giving birth to a toddler who knows🤣🤣

@Greetingsfellowsthank you so much, I managed to get an emergency appt today (just waiting at the hospital now) and the midwife told me I’d have results by end of the week so it’s a relief to not have to worry about what to do for long. She said my last result was really normal so who knows whether this is just a growth spurt 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Also so helpful to hear about your baby shooting up in percentiles, I guess it’s just all part of it!

@LMM91x I just spoke to a friend who had GD and was induced at 39 (all was fine but ended up in c-section due to long labour) - they told her baby was 6lb 9oz at her 37 week appt and she was 5lb 12oz when she was born 🤣 so I agree I’m just not sure how accurate it all is anyway. Trying my hardest to just go with it all at this point….easier said than done for my anxious brain! 🙏🏽❤️

Yes as pp have said the scans aren't super accurate, but GD can kick in at any time as well so it's good that you're getting checked again. I had GD with my first and didn't put on much weight and had a very small bump so it isn't always obvious by your weight etc. It's a hormonal issue caused by the placenta. Currently pregnant with my second and being monitored this time, already had a GTT at 10 weeks which seems silly to me but there we go!

Yes I would much rather get it checked than not so I’m glad they sorted it! Just left the hospital and should find out by Friday 🤞🏽