GD test in a week-- what can I do to help make sure I pass?

[annettemarie]

Because I'm pregnant with twins, I'm having the GD 1 hour test in a week, at 16 weeks. Obviously, I want it to catch it if I have GD, but I'd also like to avoid a false positive and having to do the long annoying test if at all possible. Any tips or tricks to up my odds?

[~Adorkable~]

i will be listening here with great interest. I started this pregnancy with a Insulin Resistance issue that i have been taking care of very well, but between that and also carrying twins, i'm sure this will be a concern and be tested for a few times.

[sharr610]

The original test design(that a lot of OBs ignore these days), included a 20 minute brisk walk during that hour. So, try to get in a walk if you can. Another idea would be to take some cinnamon and gymnemna supplements. They are used by lots of GD/borderline GD mamas to keep their numbers down, but also just help most people process sugars a bit more efficiently.

Oh, and try to avoid sugar/white carbs/too much fruit 24 hours before the test.

Good luck!

[Zuzu822]

IIRC, some protein beforehand can help! I had a scrambled egg last time and peanut butter on wheat toast with DS1. It helped me tolerate all the sugar at the least.
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[penquinmom]

Don't eat any carbs before the test-like that day.

[StarMama]

With Fiona I had protein for breakfast (a banana protein powder shake) and did 30 minutes of cardio at Matt's suggestion. Then after drinking the goo (ew that stuff is awful) I took a 20 minute walk around outside (even though I was told to sit my behind down and not move ). And I passed. Failed with Orion's where I did no special prep what-so-ever (and he was a little 7lbs 12oz, sheesh).

[~Adorkable~]

Originally Posted by sharr610

The original test design(that a lot of OBs ignore these days), included a 20 minute brisk walk during that hour. So, try to get in a walk if you can. Another idea would be to take some cinnamon and gymnemna supplements. They are used by lots of GD/borderline GD mamas to keep their numbers down, but also just help most people process sugars a bit more efficiently.

Oh, and try to avoid sugar/white carbs/too much fruit 24 hours before the test.

Good luck!

strange to hear about the walk, since they tell you that you have to sit in the lobby thru the whole thing and if you go walk they will need to do the test over again where i am. do you have any website i can read and see what changed?

isn't cinnamon at the doses that start to effect insulin sensitivity also contra indicated during pregnancy? i would have to go look at where i read that , but it was in a few places, since i was taking pretty large doses of cinnamon for a while working to get my self off metformin

Originally Posted by Zuzu822

IIRC, some protein beforehand can help! I had a scrambled egg last time and peanut butter on wheat toast with DS1. It helped me tolerate all the sugar at the least.
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you have to go in fasting or it is "faking the test" rather than "passing the test", i dont think she wants to mask any possible real issues, just avoid false alarms.

ETA, sorry did not understand that there is a non fasting version of the test.

[annettemarie]

Actually, my CNM said it wasn't a fasting test and recommended eating protein beforehand.

[ein328]

you have to go in fasting or it is "faking the test" rather than "passing the test", i dont think she wants to mask any possible real issues, just avoid false alarms.[/QUOTE]

the gd test i took didn't require fasting- i was told that the one hour test doesn't require it- only the three- hour does. i was also instructed no carbs that day- just small amounts of protein. i second the egg idea!

i would double-check to make sure you are required...sometimes the techs who work in the office can refuse the two.

[ein328]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Actually, my CNM said it wasn't a fasting test and recommended eating protein beforehand.

haha you beat me to the punch!

protein, definitely protein.

[~Adorkable~]

ok ,my bad, the test i was given as the 3 hour one and was clearly a fasting one, did not realize there were non fasting versions.

yeah protein and fiber is good for slowing glucose absorption.

[Autumn Breeze]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Actually, my CNM said it wasn't a fasting test and recommended eating protein beforehand.

That's it. Just make sure you aren't eating a ton of carbs and sugar (in general) and are eating plenty of protein. I need to look at my numbers but you should be getting around 70-80 grams of protein daily, probably more since you're growing two nervous systems.

[RedOakMomma]

This is a great reference page for GD testing information.

The no-walking thing is B.S. and is basically there to make sure you're around at the 60-minute mark. Lab techs don't want to have to chase you down, or re-schedule the test, because you were out of the lab waiting room and couldn't be found.

This time my dr. let me do the jellybean version of the test, and I took them at home so I could walk as much as I wanted (about a 30-minute brisk walk). The time before that, I had to sit in a lab. I went into the lab limping like it was the most painful short walk I'd ever taken in my life...talked with a lab tech about my awful preggo sciatica, and asked if I could go sit in my car because it had cushy bucket seats. I showed her that my watch had a timer on it, so I wouldn't be late returning to the lab. THEN, once outside, I went walking for 45 minutes.

I went through all that because, two weeks earlier, I'd taken the 1-hour (non-fasting) test and failed it. I KNEW it was because I had too many carbs the night before, and because I couldn't move around during the hour, so I convinced my OB to let me take it again. Sure enough--the second time I passed easily.

Oh...and protein is a good idea. I had protein the night before (a healthy dinner of chicken and veggies), a handfull of almonds before going to bed, then a small protein snack 3 hours before the test.

[Climbergirl]

I did not realize that labs did a non-fasting one. I know my CNM will let me eat a specific breakfast and then do my blood sugar, but that is because I am eating the breakfast instead of drinking the awful drink.

I don't like fasting while pregnant. I had to have some other blood work done and I had to fast. I went in, they started taking blood and my BP was very low so the tube was not filling. Then they started wiggling the dang needle around and at that point, things started going black and I said I needed to lay down. 2 techs helped me into a room with a bed and they finished there. I had to eat some of my snacks before I could leave.

Now that I always have food with me, I have given granola bars to preggie ladies I have seen who have obviously done the fasting test. I just feel so bad for them because I know how awful it was for me.

[Autumn Breeze]

climbgirl, the breakfast/meals are a much healthier option. I usually recommend that over the drink, but very few places it seems are allowing the option of REAL FOOD for testing sugars.

[Thalia]

I just did the one-hour glucose screen last week. My midwife said to eat a breakfast with protein and low carbs (no fruit, no sugar, a little whole wheat toast okay) at least two hours before the test.

I ate a veggie omelet with cheese and a glass of milk about three hours before the test.

The lab my MW uses is in the same building as her office, so she recommended that I schedule my test for just before my next appointment, so I'd have something to do while I was waiting. So I did move around a bit, going up and down the stairs, but not a huge amount. The lab didn't give me any trouble about that, but another MDC mama recommended that if they do give you trouble, tell them that you are having terrible back pain and need to go out to the parking lot to sit in the bucket seats in your car. I don't know how I'd feel about lying outright to a tech, but its an option if you think you need it.

I gave up sugar (including maple syrup and honey), white flour, and fried foods about two months ago, but I eat a lot of fruit, so I was interested to see what the results would be.They can back at 70, where the normal range for this particular test is 60-139. Woohoo! I think it was in the eighties with my last pregnancy, where I wasn't giving up sugar. Diabetes runs in my family, and I'm 37 and rather fluffy, so I was very happy to pass.

[St. Margaret]

They TOLD me to get out of there and just be back in an hour, maybe b/c I brought my 3yo DD with me It was great-- I avoided any sugar the day or so before the test, had just a little protein in the AM, and danced and played and goofed with DD the whole time. I felt SOOO much better at the end of the test than when I did it when pregnant with DD (sitting and reading). And I passed I figured that way, the test is a better reflection of my real life-- I don't drink a couple sodas and sit around!

[somegirl99]

My OB said it was ok for me to eat breakfast before the 1 hr test, the lab asked if I had eaten or not and I told them that. I had a bit of scrambled tofu about an hour or two beforehand, I did have to sit in the lobby the whole time. My test went fine.

[Magali]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Actually, my CNM said it wasn't a fasting test and recommended eating protein beforehand.

Same here. I am still debating the test, but at least it isn't a fasting test like I did last time.

[_ktg_]

I second the rec' to eat some protein before the test. Its the one thing I've done each time I've had to take it and it made the whole experience a bit more easier to handle.

ugh to the sugar high (and then crash though afterwards) and if you have to drink the glucola I recommend the lemon-lime, it tastes a bit like sprite.