Getting tested for GD and baby measuring over 97th percentile

[Lmcx]

Hey

This will be a long one from a FTM anxious mum. I have had a very plain and boring pregnancy, right up until my standard midwife apt. She said before even measuring my bump that it looked a lot bigger, turns out my bump was 97th percentile. But I didn’t panic too much as I know it’s not accurate. But midwife said to go for a scan but she reckons I will have a big baby.

go to my growth scan and yes, baby girl is measuring v big. At 35+6, she is estimated 7lbs and 5. Her abdomen and head are both 97th percentile. Her tummy looked big to me in the ultrasound as well. I was crying at the time cause I felt really overwhelmed and thought I might need to get a section.. the sonograph lady did say I had a bit of excessive fluid but “not much”. Was sent round to day care to speak to consultant. Whilst I was waiting they did bloods and I had a really brief chat. He immediately said “so we are expecting a chunk of a baby” and said that my fluid is too much and this has led him to believe I have GD. I am going to be honest, I didn’t know much about the condition, I have read up and now I am terrified..

I am however not getting tested for it via glocuse test until Friday this week then Monday for an apt, he did say about induction at 38 weeks but hasn’t been booked yet as he wants my diagnosis.

I am going to be honest, I feel awful, all I craved was sugar and I feel I’ve grew my baby enormous and potentially caused her health conditions due to my poor diet. I have immediately cut sugar etc out of my diet (completely). But I fear it’s too late as people say “I hope the sdamage isn’t done” and they are like 32 weeks :(

im really hoping the growth scan isn’t accurate.. does anyone have any experiences with late diagnosis of GD, growth scans (how accurate) or just any general advice? Xx

No experience myself but please don't beat yourself up about it as many of us have sugary food during pregnancy. GD is due to the pregnancy itself and hormones i believe, yes there are risk factors but you aren't to blame if it is this. They should advise on appropriate treatment options which can include medication.

I had this with my dc2. My blood results were borderline but as I was 36 weeks they said they weren’t reliable anyway.

I refused an induction early as I’d had a very fast and easy labour with dc1 who was 9lbs (though 2 weeks overdue so would have been c.8lbs at term). I ended up induced on my due date and had another very straightforward vaginal water birth. Baby was 9lbs exactly (spot on from the scan prediction) and perfectly healthy. They never confirmed whether I had GD or not - I had no risk factors at the time as was 33, slim, white, no diabetes in family. I did cut out sugar and carbs and measured my blood sugars in the last few weeks of pregnancy and never got a single high, but I was following the diet so that could be why.

No experience of GD testing (though I'm convinced I had it with my youngest but was not diagnosed). However my youngest son was 11lb 8ozs, birthed naturally with no tears.

Big doesn't have to mean more complex. You have lots of options.

Stop beating yourself up. This isn't your fault.

I hate anything sugary so wasn't eating any during my pregnancies and I still got GD every time.

I was induced. My 'huge' baby turned out to be just 7lbs and it was a very easy delivery.

Just wanted to drop you a reassuring message. I had a bump/baby ‘measuring large’. I had the standard GD test at 28 weeks and passed flying colours. I then continued to measure large and was asked to test my blood sugars for a week at around 35 weeks. This confirmed GD - nothing to do with my diet, all to do with hormones and genetics. I managed it for the final few weeks with simple changes to my diet - still had the odd high reading which didn’t bother anyone.
I had an induction at 38+5. Turned into a c-section and my 7.12 baby was born - not the large alien everyone was expecting. My birth was beautiful and I passed the 6 week blood test to confirm no diabetes post-partum.
You’ve got this. Feel empowered to continue to make your own informed decisions ❤️

I was diagnosed with GD at 38 weeks, after one midwife measured my belly bigger than normal (she never told me what percentage). I can understand the stress you're under as I felt horrible after this, but I hope it helps you to hear that I delivered a very healthy baby at 8.3lbs. the drs will probably have to discuss all the risks as precaution but it doesn't mean that these things will happen, I found that having my partner involved in every conversation was vital, as I was so upset I only heard the worst or couldn't retain something's so having someone with you at appointments will be useful. As others have said there is more to gestational diabetes than diet so don't beat yourself up about what's done now. I managed the final few weeks of my pregnancy with diet changes and never got a high reading, both mine and babies readings after birth were perfectly fine too. Gestational Diabetes UK have lots of helpful information on their website including advice about diet which I found great. I hope that everything goes well for you x

As others have said if you have GD it’s nothing to do with anything you’ve eaten so just know you couldn’t have done anything to change that outcome 😊

I’m 31 weeks and also currently tracking with a 97th percentile baby…next growth scan in two weeks and feeling equally as nervous as you but from everything I’ve read there are so many positive birth stories for bigger babies!

Hope you’re ok x

I had a similar experience where baby was found to be 96th centile on scans. Turned out it wasn't GD, just a big baby. She arrived a couple of weeks early so was actually 7lb at birth and a very easy delivery! But now she is a big toddler.

(I actually also coincidentally had a growth scan a few hours before I went into labour and it overestimated the size - what midwife said to me is that scans give the best info available but are not perfect!)

I dealt with GD from about 22 weeks though. If you are craving sugars that can be a sign BUT don't worry too much. I would say eat little and often and keep to plenty of protein and veg and a smallish carbs portion - I mean normal serving as most people eat too much anyway - and only one per meal ie noo bread and potatoes or rice or chips etc. Eat balance but lower carb, if you really crave something eat it after a main meal and keep it to small portion e.g. dark chocolate, protein heavy deserts (can get puddings) berries and full fat greek Yog (the real thing not the pretend stuff) or cream

oh and I delivered early for other reasons but at 32 plus 5 she was 3lb 9 and no where near as big as they thought (5lb)

Hi OP
I had similar diagnosed late on in my previous pregnancy and I think I did blame myself for eating sugar. DD was born fine and actually smaller than predicted on her 35 week scan. During this pregnancy I haven’t eaten any sugar and still have GD diagnosed earlier. Please remember diet controls GD but it doesn’t cause it - that’s down to hormones. It’s nothing you have or haven’t done to ‘cause’ it. Just follow all the dietary advice you are given to monitor it now you know.

Thank you very much for your lovely responses ladies! I really needed it.

I have continued to GD diet, I’ve cut everything out (even caffeine). I did have my GTT test today (I’m 36+6) and it has came back normal. I’m not sure what to think, I have my consultant apt on Monday so will see what happens from there. I will continue with this diet to birth anyway, I defo feel loads better, less sluggish etc xx

My first baby was a surprise 11lbs, and I was told I was likely GD.
So when I was pregnant with my second I was certain it would be positive. Baby measuring big, had the test - came back clear! He was born 11lbs 3oz. Some babies are just big.