Gestational Diabetes test?... - Page 2

[WifeofAnt]

Originally Posted by the janet

I just got a call today from the girl at the birthing center who administered the test. I started to panic. There was definitely a problem...but she said not with the results. She had submitted my blood samples to the lab in the wrong test tubes. So I have to take it again.

[ein328]

Just curious- for everyone who took the 1-hour test: were you told to fast, or did you fast on your own?

With my old CNM, I was told to have a protein-only meal in the morning before the test. I was given the same advice (by a different CNM) this time around.

It seems like providers are varying in what they tell people...I know the 3-hour requires fasting, but to my knowledge the 1-hour doesn't.

[WifeofAnt]

For the one hour I was told 'nothing by mouth for 2 hours prior'.

[happyhats]

I am taking the one hour test tomorrow. I was told to just go ahead and take it as soon as I get up in the morning. That way you don't have to go around for a long time without eating. The lab I'm going to just allows walk ins so that's awesome. If I fail the one hour I'll just go to monitoring instead of taking the three hour. For one, it's almost impossible for me to get three plus hours away from my dd and I don't want to try to keep her contained for it. Also I had a really rough time with it last time and was so sick just from the amount of time I had to fast.

[mckittre]

Funny it's so common to have the test. My midwives (CNM practice) never even mentioned it to me last time, so I assume that I won't have it this time either. As far as I know, I was fine. He was born at 7lb 4oz, and I have no diabetes history at all in my family, so I'm not inclined to worry this time either. My diet is also pretty much the same as it was then, and quite healthy (though I'm not avoiding all sugar - I like baking the occasional pie!).

[ein328]

The whole reason I asked about the fasting thing is that there seems to be a correlation between fasting and failing the test. That is, when mamas are encouraged to have a small, protein-based meal before, most seem to do better.

I'm not a huge fan of the test in the first place (at least, not when you have no risk factors to begin with), and it especially makes no sense to me at all to fast. I was told by my CNM that the protein helps to keep your levels from spiking- but who knows- she's not a big proponent of it (the OB practice she works at pushes it, though), so maybe it's more of a "cheat" than anything. However, I do know that sometimes people who work at the ob/mw office confuse the 1-hour with the 3-hour, and while the 3-hour test definitely requires fasting, I don't think the 1-hour does. Maybe each ob/mw does things differently?

I just finished with my 1-hour- got up at 6:00, ate a 2-egg omelet with cheese and turkey. Drank the nastiness at 7:30....we'll see how it goes.

[grazy101]

i took my one hour test at 6pm, and had a hard boiled egg at around 4:30. I passed the test and was never asked to fast. But, I ate carefully that day to ensure I was only eating protein and veggies.

[Fat Scottish Gal]

I've declined it this time around. I've been negative every pregnancy so far, no family history etc. I am just trying to eat sensibly and we are testing my pee every visit.

[ema-adama]

My OB recommended a protein breakfast prior to the test. Last time I was told to fast by the nurse who gave me the glucose to mix at home There does seem to be some confusion with regards to instructions on how to do it.

[ein328]

I didn't think I was going to be able to keep that stuff down yesterday...I was so nauseus, and that was with taking it after a protein breakfast. I don't want to know how bad it would have been had I fasted.

My appointment is at 1pm today, so I guess I'll know then!

[ein328]

Originally Posted by ein328

I didn't think I was going to be able to keep that stuff down yesterday...I was so nauseus, and that was with taking it after a protein breakfast. I don't want to know how bad it would have been had I fasted.

My appointment is at 1pm today, so I guess I'll know then!

This just in....I scored an 85. Wahoooooooooooo!

[mahiisland]

Congrats Ein! Janet that sucks!

Thank you everyone for your tips and experiences, it is all very helpful!

[ema-adama]

Great ein. That must be a wonderful relief to have that behind you now.

[venusthrow]

Originally Posted by ein328

The whole reason I asked about the fasting thing is that there seems to be a correlation between fasting and failing the test. That is, when mamas are encouraged to have a small, protein-based meal before, most seem to do better.

Interesting because with my first I fasted (didn't know what to do so just in case I didn't eat) and I passed the 1 hour. the second I ate a small breakfast and I didn't pass the 1 hour but passed the 3 hour.

[MoonStarFalling]

The instructions I got with my 1 hr simply said not to have caffeine or nicotine before the test. I get to drink it at home so no sitting around waiting. It makes sense that eating some protein with it would help, and I will go for a brisk walk after I drink it too.

[Climbergirl]

When I did the 1 hour with my OB in CA, I was told to fast. For 10 freaking hours. I was miserable. I run hypoglycemic so I was unable to drive myself to the test. Then, I drank the horrible, seriously carbonated drink (and I don't drink things that are carbonated). And then felt awful for about 2 days. The day I took it, I felt that I was having a real hard time keeping my blood sugar up. For my particular situation, it almost seemed dangerous to do.

This time, with my CNM, I ate regularly but limited simple sugars and then took a glucose load right before she came to my house and she drew the blood. I felt fine afterwards. Which was such a relief.

I think you will find that some people are just more sensitive to blood sugar changes and that is why they say it is horrible. My sister had GD so I really wanted to take it, but I like the midwife version way better than the OB version.

[LHcj2008]

I am very curious to get tested ever since my MW said anyone can get GD- I'm thin, haven't really gained much weight and have no risk factors other than the fact that I'm 28, so I had previously assumed I couldn't get it. I had an appointment with my MW scheduled for 10:30 this morning in which she was to screen me for GD. I only got the instructions early this morning via email (I didn't check it later last night and sort of assumed she forgot, which kind of had me peeved...turned out, she had remembered. Oops). So I was worried because I didn't do any fasting, but the instructions didn't say anything about that and basically told me to avoid simple carbs, eat protein at every meal, and then eat 18 Brachs jellybeans, or drink some Oceanspray Cranberry Cocktail, or a 16 oz. Coke.
I chose the Coke because it seemed to be the easiest thing to run out and get...but I NEVER drink soda so it was a big deal to me to even show up at the grocery store nearly 7 mos. pregnant and stand in line with a giant Coke...ugh. I felt very guilty that I was doing this to my baby! So, the instructions said to guzzle that thing down within 5 minutes (which was harder than it sounded), which I did at 10 am expecting my MW to show up at 10:30 and draw my blood around 11. Lo and behold, she called at 10:30 and canceled because someone was in labor! Aaargh! So, all day I've been feeling really "off" and sort of shaky as if I'm highly caffeinated...and to think I get to drink this again Wednesday morning (that is when we rescheduled)...
Just had to vent.

[APMama04]

well, I got a call that I failed my 1 hour GTT that I took Monday. High was 170 and the cut off is 140
So after some thought and talking to others, I'm going to skip the 3 hr (because they never even had me do it with my 1st pregnancy as the finger stick is so high). I had to take insulin last time around when I had GD so I knew my chances of being OK this PG were kinda slim.

I told the nurse that I'm refusing the 3hr test and would rather do monitoring, meet the dietician, endo, etc. She said she'd hav eto get clearance first as they want the 3 hr test results. I told them I didn't do it with #1 and I can't handle 3 hours that it will entail let alone time off work. So I'm waiting for a call back...

I'm hoping to monitor my numbers and watch intake based off info I kept from #1 ( I have everything from the GD classes. forms) and see what it looks like for a week before anyone even mentions or tries to pressure me to insulin. I'll be 27 wks tomorrow.