Big baby at 31 weeks - diabetes?

[Wintermum01]

Hi everyone

I had a growth scan today and apparently my baby is measuring at almost 90th percentile. This is quite a big change - I had a scan at 27+6 weeks and he was 50th percentile. So I’ve been booked in for a diabetes test next week to see if that could be the cause.

I’m trying not to worry too much, but I can’t help it! I have to have a c-section at around 37/38 weeks for unrelated reasons anyway, so it’s not that I’m worried about having to push a monster baby out. But I guess I’m just panicking slightly about what diabetes could mean for his health. And I can’t help feeling guilty - I probably have eaten too many sugary things and not done enough exercise.

Anyone had a big baby prognosis and then had a smaller one?! Any experiences of diabetes would be welcome too - don’t want to get ahead of myself but I’d like to be prepared. Thank you!

You don't have long.
if you passed the test it won't be that bad.
I had it last time and am passing the tests now 30weeks but last test was borderline and ultimately know I have/will have it so have been eating as though I do throughout pregnancy which is Prob why I haven't failed the stupid glucose test yet despite taking it 3 times 😡

The tldr is from today

• Eat low carb from today
• 3 meals or 3 smaller meals, 2 sacks
• if you need something sweet have something small ideally before your big meal. I also favour those protein ice creams like oppo
• Don't eat after 7 or 8
• MOST IMPORTANT small walk after everyeal when possible. this pulls blood sugar right down. I used to literally walk around the block. I'd do a 8-15min walk about 10mins after a meal.

Meal ideas

Snacks - granny smith and peanut butter, protein yoghurt, hummus and carrot, pepperoni stick, cheese
Meals - protein and veg small portion of sweet potato, omelette, stirfry with protein noodles

I had the test and was negative but scan was right about big baby (in fact it under estimated, baby was huge 🙈)

Oh and my scan was accurate I had a very healthy sized baby 8 and a half pounds

Ds and dd were nicu babies because I was diabetic when pregnant.

Dd was 11lb 4oz at birth at 37 weeks.

Ds was much much smaller.

It might not be diabetes - but if it is, you’ll be closely monitored and baby will be okay. I had GD and the diet is a pain in the arse but it’s manageable (and you get an extra motivation by knowing it’s not just for your benefit) - essentially eating lots of fat, protein, veg - and cutting out sugar, only having small amounts of ‘good’ carbs etc. You take blood sugar readings several times a day (just a pinprick) and log them (most trusts use an app so they can see them too). You’ll be monitored closely and with have support with your blood sugar readings - most likely extra scans too. You might need to be put on meds/insulin if you can’t control it with diet but that’s okay, it’s all for your baby’s benefit. There is a Gestational Diabetes U.K. Site and Facebook group and those are so helpful for support and recipe ideas.

Baby will be fine as long as you stick to the diet and your medical advice. They’ll test baby’s sugar levels at birth and monitor you/them for a few hours after. Most likely baby will pass and be fine. There will be no lasting effects for them.

If you do have GD you’re more likely develop type 2 diabetes later in life so you’ll have annual tests to check in on that. It can be a lot to handle when you get a diagnosis (again the site/fb group so hopeful for this, everyone feels the same!) but you will be okay. One of the plus sides was I felt really well cared for and it was nice to have extra scans to see my DD more. Best of luck!

Those scans are absolutely useless at predicting baby size. They told me my DS would be 9lb at full term and he was actually over 11. I didn't have GD either! Most of my friends who were told they were having massive babies had 7-8lb-ers.

Thank you for these replies, so much good info here ☺️ I guess I’ll just have to wait till the test. I can’t help hoping the scan is just wrong (can they mistake a lengthy baby for a heavy one?! My OH was skinny but very long as a baby) but we’ll see. X

GD isn’t because you haven’t exercised or what you’ve ate it’s to do with the hormones in your placenta. Albeit there are certain factors which make you more susceptible to having it like diabetes in your family etc.

I have been tested for GD and I don’t have it, I’m apparently just having a ‘happy healthy baby’ who has a slightly larger AC than the rest of her. I’m not 100% convinced that she’ll be huge as both me and my DH are tall and I was quite a long baby at birth.

I would remain open minded but good luck!