Gestational diabetes test at 39 weeks

[Judethepud]

Looking for some advice, I have had a few extra growth scans due to baby measuring big. Scan at 36 weeks put the baby at 90th centile, scan last week put it over 100th with head and abdomen measuring 2 - 3 weeks ahead. Consultant recommended I go for a gestational diabetes test, the test wasn't booked in until a week later, today at 38+4.
I didn't receive a letter with instructions before going and didn't realise my trust didn't allow any water before hand so I wasn't able to do it today.
I saw 2 midwifes and both were questioning why I was getting the test so late, shaking their heads making it clear they thought it was ridiculous. Saying that it won't make a difference at this point because they wouldnt treat anything by the time the baby was here, they said that I can refuse the test. They were basically saying the baby could just be big because I'm tall.
Personally I wasn't happy about doing it and would like to refuse. My consultant said at this stage a lot of people get false positives so it feels like it will be positive and then they'll push for an induction.
Sorry for the long post, just wondering what you would do in my shoes and if you think there could be any negative implications to the baby if I refuse?

Op, I think you will likely be just fine and it is quite late to be doing the test really. In terms of size it won’t change much. I had diabetes on all three of mine, second baby was almost 10 lbs but all was fine and I went into Labour myself at 40 “5. Third baby was smaller and I was induced at 40 weeks, size never measured big but they just basically said that because I was just gone 35 mixed with the diabetes and the previous baby being big they didn’t want to wait. I actually wish they did because I think it would have been fine and my baby was smaller than they told me she was on the scans by quite a lot. They told me they thought she was 9 and a half pounds but she came out under eight. Really as you say at this point a diabetes diagnosis will determine if they advise you to get induced or wait for labor to begin by itself. You can say no to an induction regardless of the diagnosis but I wonder would they give you a blood sugar monitor just so you can see how the bloods are after meals ect? I know on my third baby they didn’t bother with a formal test I just had to check my own bloods but the levels were obvious it was gestational diabetes so I just ate as though I had it the whole time anyway. I would definitely have a chat with them and make sure I understood the implications of any decisions I made, but ultimately you can decide if you want to wait for Labour to come on itself! Depending on other factors like age ect they might be happy to let you wait. The scans are just notoriously inaccurate for size. The second baby I told you about that was a big one was measuring much bigger than on the scans😂 I will say, the recent induction I had did mean I laboured really fast and the baby was out in no time at all. I had wanted an epidural but the head was already out, so it wasn’t actually all bad. With the second I went into Labour myself and it was slower but more relaxed as a result and I did get my epidural. Sorry about the big long essay but I suppose my point is basically no matter what the result you can choose how you want things to go, if you do genuinely have diabetes rather than a false positive certain risks go up the longer the baby is left inside your belly but you can weigh those up with the consultant and decide from there taking any other risk factors into account!

@Yummymummy2020 thank you for your response, really appreciate it!

I think it is too late to make any difference to the baby and the blood tests wouldn’t even be reliable now.

I was “diagnosed” at 36 weeks with a normal fasting result and the post-glucose drink test on the border (I was 7.7 and for diabetes had to be above 7.7, so I didn’t even meet their criteria even if the test was reliable at that gestation). I was sent for the test as baby was measuring big - but my previous baby was also big so I think it was a load of rubbish.

I tested my blood sugar multiple times a day like they told me to, never had a single high, had a great easy birth and baby was 9lbs which is big but not excessive.

For you it might be safest to assume that you do have it and avoid sugar between now and the birth, but don’t bother with the test. GDUK Facebook group is helpful - best advice is to pair carbs with lots of protein as it slows the sugar release.

Thank you @harrietm87 appreciate the advice. I have tested not to go for the test.

Im not as many weeks as you but im 35 weeks Monday, had a scan unrelated to baby growth as I have fast heart they just booked a growth scan to make sure its not affecting her growth and said shes measuring just a week ahead at the scan,

the midwife said lets do a gd test, I had 0 symptoms, no one in family had it, im not in the high risk groups either normal BMI etc
I didnt want to and I thought this is quite late to do anything about it if I do have it but I had to test at 34 weeks 4 days, I was no expecting them to call me saying I have it! im still in shock and quite scared,

I also agree with Harriets comments as from what ive been reading its more dangerous to not know you have it as if you do, baby blood sugars need to be monitored after brith until they show theyre normal
and although GD goes away after the baby is born, it increases the risk of you getting type 2 in the future
im not sure about info on how accurate tests are after a certain number of weeks but I would be worried I did have it and didnt know

may I ask how you got to know what ur actual results where. had mine 3 days ago now basically just got a call to say I had it, never mentioned results just said wait till next week for virtual info session,
ive checked on nhs app and a maternity one I have and I cant see anything!