Midwife?

maybe mention the measuring bump but not everyone does the glucose test it’s only if you meet any of the requirements i’m pretty sure. i think they’re along the lines of high BMI previous gestational diabetes diabetes in family xx

So some trusts measure from 26W but it is now more commonplace for measurements to be from your 28W appointment. Assuming you’ve had your 28W appointment, your midwife should have measured you. If she forgot (which is really stupid), just bring it up at your next appointment and make sure she measures you at every appointment going forward. It’s not a huge deal that you’ve missed one measurement so don’t worry! In the US, I believe most women get the glucose test. In the UK however, you’re only offered it if you’re identified as having certain risk factors. So most women in the UK will not have the glucose test for a standard low risk pregnancy. This is perfectly normal. Before each midwife appointment, consult this guide so you know what to expect and can ask the midwife questions/ensure she covers it all if she forgets: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments/

Which hospital are you at? I’m at Chelsea & Westminster and everyone has a “light touch” glucose test at 28 weeks but if you meet any of the above requirements you need a full glucose test. I would definitely ask!

Are you having regular growth scans for any reason? That would be one reason they might not measure your bump. And as someone else has said, you generally only have a glucose test if you have risk factors or glucose in your urine (in the UK anyway).

@Elle yeah the measuring concerned me not really the glucose test I’ve literally only had 3 midwife appointments too x

@Sam nope I’ve only had 3 midwife appointments in with kings college ( I actually wanted to go St Thomas but my gp who referred me told me I can’t ? Xx

@Skye-Tebelle ring them up and query it!! i had an appointment missed on their behalf and when i mentioned it they got it all in order xx

@Gemma I’m with kings unfortunately I wanted to be with st Thomas , I’m gonna ask on my next appointment thank you x

@Alexandra I’ve literally only had 3 midwife appointments and I was expecting to be measured as I’ve seen others measured , and every appointment I’ve had I’ve had different midwife’s I don’t think I’m actually set with a midwife either it’s so annoying , thank you! X

It's my second pregnancy and I was never measured until after 28 weeks with my first, never had a glucose test either as they're not routine only offered if you fit certain criteria. I'm 28 weeks now with this pregnancy and not been measured yet either, if you're low risk then your appointments are usually just a general check in xx

I was never measured till about 30 weeks with mine! And as for glucose test not everyone gets one.

@Skye-Tebelle so you’ve had the 16, 25 and 28W midwife appointments right? And your next one is at 31W? Then in between those you’ve had the 12W and 20W scan at the hospital? If not please, please advocate for yourself and ensure you’re getting the correct number of appointments ❤️

I never had a glucose test as I didn't meet the criteria for it but I definitely had my bump measured. Have to had blood tests etc? In your pregnancy book there should be a list of appointments and it will tell you what's included at each one x

Glucose test is only offered to those with BMI over 30 or other risk factors. I honestly wouldn't worry about the measurements. It's an arbitrary, outdated method that has little to no evidence around it. If I ever have another pregnancy I'll be declining measurements.

@Charlotte I agree. With my second they panicked me so much about my bump being small I had to have multiple growth scans and extra tests which resulted in them telling me my baby would be extra small and maybe poorly... in the end she was born healthy at 7lbs it caused me so much stress and caused me to not enjoy the end of my pregnancy as I was just so full of worry x

3 midwife appointments is pretty standard for 29 weeks. One at 16, 24 and 28 weeks. The frequency increases the further along you get. After this you should expect them at about 31 or 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 41 and 42 weeks if baby's not here by then. So far my appointments have just been hand in a urine sample, listen to heartbeat, ask if I'm coping well and if I would like any vaccine referrals (flu, whooping cough, RSV). My bump has not been measured yet but it's known to be very inaccurate anyways so they may be holding off until later appointments. My midwife said we'll start to discuss birth preferences at 32 or 34 weeks. I did have a gd test but that's because I'm half south east Asian. Hope this puts your mind at ease x

My bump was getting measured every appointment from around 30 weeks and I was always ‘right of track’, once baby was born turned out I wasn’t right on track and she was massive and I had to have a c section due to size. So not sure how accurate it is anyway! But you can always ask your midwife if they have missed any appointments etc. I thought I was going to hear the heartbeat at 16 weeks but didn’t, so asked, but they don’t do it at my trust until like 30 weeks now.. x

@Kirsty this is exactly what happened to me! Told me baby was going to be small. Like 5lb and she was born 7lb5oz. Luckily I knew better than to listen to them! But they did make me paranoid and as she ended up overdue I was so stressed everyday beyond her due date! Don't plan anymore, but I absolutely would not be having measurements or growth scans if I ever did have another.

I haven’t had my belly measured either because they are doing ultrasounds to measure baby instead. As long as they are measuring in some way you are totally fine! My OB appointments are just checking my BP and fetal heart rate. Maybe doing some bloodwork or vaccines depending on the visit

I’m 31 weeks and never had my bump measured. I’ve not had any midwife appointments in months now. I only see a consultant and get growth scans. I haven’t even had the birth plan discussion tbh. My hospital is a bit rubbish, don’t actually understand how they have won awards. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The only reason I had the GTT is because at my first midwife appointment, my urine test came back +++ (my bloods were completely fine, I am however being monitored for GD 😒). Do mention the measuring of the bump to whoever you see.

My midwife said glucose test is only offered if you’re over 30 BMI. Mine is 31 so she said I could decline it if I want to. Haven’t had bump measured yet because I’m away until 30 weeks. But the midwife who did my booking appt did forget to do a urine test. I feel like they are pretty chill and those midwife appts are really just to answer your questions and keep in touch 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Kaya thank you this has put me at ease ! ❤️

@Charletta from the looks of the other comments maybe it’s a good thing we haven’t been mesured as it inaccurate sometimes and it caused a lot of mums to worry for no reason , I’ll definitely mention it thank you xx

I’m at Georges and I asked about the measurements of bump as in my last pregnancy at Croydon they did. The midwife explained they no longer do it at Georges as it can be so inaccurate and that everyone is just routinely offered a 36 week growth scan instead- so I think it just varies by trust. The glucose test they only so it there is certain factors making you higher risk

@Skye-Tebelle I had my son at at Thomas the midwifery care isn’t that good hun at all, but the labour team are fab

@Skye-Tebelle i was never measured till my last appointment (30 weeks). I also never had the same midwife when I asked them why I don’t have the same midwife they told me because I was not too close from the hospital. (I am 37 min away on trains). I was a bit lost too and upset in some follow up appointments because there were not telling much either. So I prepared a long list of questions and now I feel less lost. (It’s also depends of which midwife do you have on the day some are happy to reply to you and take their time and some others are less talkative). The glucose test is at 28 weeks

@Skye-Tebelle though they don’t give the glucose test for everyone depend your history, weight, ethnicity or if you are in high risk pregnancy.