Gestational Diabetes could risk me out of HB

[Flower of Bliss]

I've had glucose in my urine the last 2 midwife appointments. I failed the 1 hour glucose tolerance test (which I took Friday). Next week I'll be taking the 3 hour test. Also, last week at 29 weeks I was measuring 33 weeks. At 25 weeks I was measuring 26, so it's a pretty big jump.

I'm terrified. My midwife tells me that technically she's supposed to risk me out if I fail the 3 hour. If we can get matters undercontrol with supervision from an outside doctor, she's willing to consider having me sign a waiver. My diet is pretty good. I'm going to work on cutting out as many sugars and carbs as I can, and get better about exercising.

I'm worried about risking out. I'm worried about finding back up care, and paying for it as anyone vaguely "alternative" or even just alternative friendly seems to be not covered by my insurance. I'm worried about money.

If I d risk out, I'm worried about finding an ob that I'm at all comfortable with that will take me this far into my pregnancy. I'm 30 weeks right now. I won't have test results until I'm 31 weeks and DD came fast and furious at 38 weeks 0 days.

Also, and most importantly, I'm worried about my little girl. I know that gestational diabetes comes with some real risks for the baby. I fear that I'm hurting her or putting her at risk.

What can I do? What should I do? Any advice or just comforting words would be really appreciated.

[TheLoud]

Good luck! I had glucose in my urine for one test, but I realized I'd eaten a piece of candied ginger that morning. It was such a tiny amount of candy, I didn't know it would have such a big effect, but it did. So I avoided all sugar (no fruit or anything), and my next tests were fine. Being really careful with diet and exercise (walking is good) might get this under control. Maybe looking up diets recommended for diabetics would be useful.

Maybe this is just me being too alternative, but I'm thinking the most important test is the regular one, not the glucose tolerance test. If drinking a huge amount of glucose messes you up, I think of that as a sign that you shouldn't drink a huge amount of glucose.

[GoldmanBaby09]

Originally Posted by TheLoud

Maybe this is just me being too alternative, but I'm thinking the most important test is the regular one, not the glucose tolerance test. If drinking a huge amount of glucose messes you up, I think of that as a sign that you shouldn't drink a huge amount of glucose.

: Is your midwife not willing to have you monitor your glucose level at home with a glucometer after eating real meals? I didn't even do the GTT, and just did a postprandial, which makes way more sense to me. If you aren't drinking glucola for breakfast, how that can be accurate as to what your body actually processes? Spilling sugar in your urine can be a potential sign, but you could also give diet management a try first. And the fundal height doesn't sound too out of line to me. I'm 34w and measuring 36, and have been 2-4 cm ahead the whole pg with no GD. I would just implore you to discuss alternatives with your midwife before worrying about it too much. GL!

[Flower of Bliss]

My midwife generally asks her patients to buy a glucometer, take a measurement first thing in the morning, eat a BIG breakfast (like pancakes, maple syrup, eggs, etc), and then take a reading at 1, 2, and 3 hours after breakfast. If the readings are off, then she recommends doing the 1 hour test. However, the sugar in my urine went from 250 at 25 weeks to 500 at 29 weeks and she was confident that the readings would be off. My diet is generally good - not perfect, but good. Adding in the suddenly measuring big, and she was worried enough to have me take the test.

I have been reading as much as I can about diets for people with gestational diabetes, and really, it's not seeming far off from what I'm doing at all. My midwife has encouraged me to stop ALL refined sugar, to seriously cut carbs (I was already doing almost exclusively whole grains), to only eat fruits with a protein (generally I do that anyway... apple with peanut butter, pears with cheese, etc), and to be careful about carrots, peas, corn, and tomatoes. Essentially she wants me to eat proteins and veggies and very little else. I'm quite overwhelmed by the whole thing, but I think I can do the diet part.

[railyuh]

Yeah, I would ask her about using a glucometer to monitor your levels at home. That's what I'm doing this time and I think it is a lot more accurate and a much healthier way to do this test. It doesn't make any sense to me at all to say, "We are worried your body might not be processing sugar correctly, so we'd like you to drink a HUGe dose of sugar so we can find out." I actually passed out during the 1hr test when I was pg. with DS, so I'll never do that again.

[MidwifeErika]

I would ask her if you have to be risked out if your blood sugar is perfectly in control with diet.

[DahliaRW]

Here as long as GD is controlled by diet alone the mw can do a homebirth. But the rules may be different in other states.

[Pookietooth]

You may pass the next test if you do the diet thing. There are a lot who fail the first test who pass the second test. Best wishes.

[Flower of Bliss]

I don't have gestational diabetes : I'll still watch my sugars, but I get to continue on with my plans for a home birth :

[Gena 22]

Originally Posted by Pookietooth

You may pass the next test if you do the diet thing. There are a lot who fail the first test who pass the second test. Best wishes.

Like me! The first test is incredibly inaccurate.

Best wishes!

[ladyg]

GD testing

After doing all the research I could, which indicated that 1) the US is the main country that is still doing GD testing and 2) that all of the 'precautions' that they take do not make any statistical difference in outcomes (i.e. no higher rates of dystocia, c/s, or otherwise), I chose in consultation with my MW to refuse the testing.

[ShwarmaQueen]

I'm refusing the testing and doing my own bs monitoring. My MW uses a 5 point system for determining your HB eligibility. As it is, I have 2 points for being a VBAC, a diet-controlled GD positive would be another point. I just don't want to risk it by doing the silly test.