Anyone regret NOT doing the GD test?

[Buddhamom]

I am trying to get out of the GD test this time as I have no risk factors except I am 40.  I did it with my older girls back 20 years ago because I didn't know any better and now I do.  My question is, has anyone opted out and then went on to regret that decision?  My DH doesn't think I need it either since I am very healthy and so is our babe.  The only reason my MW is pushing is because I am AMA.

[BHappy]

hmm. regret is a little strong, but in hindsight, i wish i'd monitored my sugars in *some fashion* with my last pg. 

with my first pg i took the test and passed. so with my second, i declined. i thought the test was ridiculous (and still do, btw), and since i had no risk factors, and my prior pg was fine, i thought it was unnecessary.

well, it turned out that my dd was born at 35 weeks (prom at 33 weeks), 8 pounds 8 ounces. she had a mild shoulder dystocia which caused some stress, and a tear in me. now, there is no proof, but my midwife and others *suspect* that i may have had gestational diabetes. i did not gain a lot of weight, did not have sugars in my urine, or have any other "signs". 

so i guess i feel like it would have been good to know if i wasn't producing enough insulin at some later point in pregnancy.

all that said, i would much rather periodically check blood glucose levels than drink that horrible sugar soda. so that's what i chose to do this time. :)

xo

[Bird Girl]

Are you worried about failing the test, or worried specifically about the test itself? If you're concerned about failing the test, you can go for a walk in the hour between drinking the glucose and having your blood tested. If you're truly GD, the walking won't make a difference, but if you're marginal and might have to take a three-hour test, then the walk can prevent that.

Gestational Diabetes is a major risk factor for developing diabetes later in life, so if you're going to have it, you might as well find out. My view on that might be a little funny, since both my parents have type-2 diabetes, and I'm always watching myself for the signs.

[CookAMH]

You might find some encouragement in getting your hands on the GD chapter of Henci Goer's book, Obstetric Myths vs Research Realities. It was a very informative bit about GD and affirmed my decision to decline it.

[dot1]

I declined it. My OB was just fine with ordering a random blood glucose level instead.  She said to eat a healthy low sugar breakfast before hand.  Maybe the glucose drink challenge makes sense for someone who does this regularly (e.g. drinks sugared pop)...however, for those who eat a relatively low GI index diet (whole grains, adequate protein, veggies, etc), are of healthy weight and don't have family history of diabetes, the glucose drink really doesn't give an accurate picture of what is actually happening regularly in your body. 

[SGVaughn]

Originally Posted by Buddhamom 

I am trying to get out of the GD test this time as I have no risk factors except I am 40.  I did it with my older girls back 20 years ago because I didn't know any better and now I do.  My question is, has anyone opted out and then went on to regret that decision?  My DH doesn't think I need it either since I am very healthy and so is our babe.  The only reason my MW is pushing is because I am AMA.

I know you're needle phobic so I'm guessing this is whats influencing how you feel about this test...and whats been pointed out already is correct

its a lousy outdated test that doesn't give the whole picture anyway

how do you feel about finger sticks? (or forearm) my glucometer is a forearm variety and the lancets are very very tiny ..it truly can't be felt andthe sound of it is the most alarming part

following blood sugar for a cpl of days right after and again an hr after meals will give a VERY complete picture but you can do it less than that

I've followed my own sugar for the heck of it for a few days when I was dialing in my diet like pretty much after everything ingested...exercise..just in general seeing what it did and made myself a lancet pincushion....I wasnt the slightest bit sore afterwards..maybe you can talk to your practitioner about doing something a little more along those lines? minus the pincushion part

[Buddhamom]

Yes, my phobia is driving this quite a bit, but also the fact that I remember being extremely ill from that drink 20 years ago because I would NEVER put that type of thing into my body.  All that sugar and dye would never go into my body so I certainly don't want it into my baby's body this time, NO WAY!  I don't even eat chocolate. I am vegan and am no where even close to being overweight before or now and have no family history of diabetes so I think it is unecessary, however I don't want to have something go wrong and regret it. My midwife was pretty adamant about it but said we will talk more when we get closer which is coming up next appt. and I want to be armed with facts that I can use to get out of this.  I have already educated myself to get out of the very unecessary HIV test *LOL*

[mossimo12]

Do you have to drink that drink for the test.  My last pregnancy my midwives started with a GD screening as followes:

Typically I will visit you early one morning about the 28^th week of your pregnancy.  The night before we schedule the screen, please eat a healthy well-balanced supper and a snack before bed, preferably before 9pm. Please fast till morning, then when you wake and you will take a blood sample.  This is your fasting blood sugar.

Then you should have a hearty high complex-carbohydrate breakfast such as

(At least 80 –100 gm CHO)

2 scrambled eggs

2 slices of whole grained bread

8 oz of orange or apple juice or a piece of fruit and water

8 oz of whole cow or goat milk or calcium fortified soy or rice milk  

Or

1 cup of granola with lots of nuts and seeds

1 cup of plain yogurt

1 piece of fruit

8 oz of whole cow or goat milk or calcium fortified soy or rice milk

Or

2 whole grained pancakes

Real maple syrup

2 eggs

8 oz of whole cow or goat milk or calcium fortified soy or rice milk or juice

Or

½ cup of baked beans with blackstrap molasses

2 slices of whole grained toast

8 oz of whole cow or goat milk or calcium fortified soy or rice milk or juice

After breakfast you should take a ½ hour walk and then two hours after you have finished eating , you will take another blood sample.

This is a screening test for gestational diabetes.  It is not a diagnostic test.  If this screening is abnormal then it is advisable to do the Glucose Tolerance Test at the lab.

[Hedgehog Mtn]

I have always declined it. I do have GD which I realized by self monitoring my sugar levels. I researched a LOT and learned (by frequent monitoring) what I was able to eat. I kept my numbers low and out of 5 children only 1 was above 7 lbs. I expect the same with this baby.

I would highly suggest self monitoring. Honestly what I learned about my body, what I can and can't eat etc will (I think) help me in the future. With a family history of diabetes and GD I feel the earlier I educate myself the longer I can help my body fight against what I might be genetically predisposed to.

[HappyMonkey]

My midwives have people eat a pack of smarties I think.. it has the same amount of carbs as the test drink. I didn't do it last time.... might self test with a glucose test kit this time.

[SGVaughn]

I don't know if she'll be able to handle the self monitoring.....my oldest daughter is needle phobic so Im sensitive to the issue..but I agree this is the best way to test

a half a roll of regular life savers is the same amount of glucose as well ..I had a diabetic partner who used to keep them for diabetic patients

man we got chewed the hell out once for using that instead of glucose paste..heh

[emmaegbert]

Gestational Diabetes is a major risk factor for developing diabetes later in life, so if you're going to have it, you might as well find out. My view on that might be a little funny, since both my parents have type-2 diabetes, and I'm always watching myself for the signs.

As far as I am aware, GD is a major risk factor for the mom developing type II later in life, and elevated (even mildly) blood sugars during fetal development is also a big risk factor for the child. I think some of the macrosomia stuff is overblown (my kids were genetically large, and I am sure it had nothing to do with GD).

But for those reasons, (and like birdgirl I have a parent with type II, and she probably had what would now be called GD with me) I took the GD screening seriously and was diagnosed (after passing 2 GTT tests early in pregnancy). This time around I will skip the test and just monitor with blood glucose meter. I assume I will develop it again but would be delighted to find out that my blood sugars are normal :) 

So... no, I didn't skip it but I think I would regret it if I realized later I had increased my daughter's risk for developing a really serious, chronic disease.

[msmiranda]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog Mtn 

I have always declined it. I do have GD which I realized by self monitoring my sugar levels. I researched a LOT and learned (by frequent monitoring) what I was able to eat. I kept my numbers low and out of 5 children only 1 was above 7 lbs. I expect the same with this baby.

I would highly suggest self monitoring. Honestly what I learned about my body, what I can and can't eat etc will (I think) help me in the future. With a family history of diabetes and GD I feel the earlier I educate myself the longer I can help my body fight against what I might be genetically predisposed to.

I could have written this.  Exactly what she said.  And then, if what you learn from self-monitoring is that you can eat a box of Krispy Kremes and still never spike above 140, then fabulous (very lucky, those people who are not genetically predisposed to diabetes!) ... but you don't know unless you do some form of testing.  Which absolutely does NOT have to involve drinking glucola, but will involve blood one way or another lol.

ETA: GD happens in women who have no risk factors, and in women who eat well and have very healthy lifestyles. So while obviously it will be harder to control for women who are used to eating a ton of simple carbs, being healthy and of normal weight aren't always protective against experiencing a decline in the body's ability to process carbohydrates during pregnancy.  I have not been overweight a day in my life and still get it (of course I have two risk factors, PCOS and a father with type 2, but I have known women in their 20s, not overweight and no other risk factors, who have had it).   

[eastmillcreekmama]

thanks for sharing all this wisdom, ladies. I was recommended for the 3 hour test after dubious results with my first PG, but opted to monitor my blood sugar since I live so far from the lab, making fasting difficult. It turned out that I was having extreme LOW blood sugar which I wasn't aware of except that I felt terrible first thing in the morning. I've been contemplating what to do in this PG about it, because besides knowing I had this issue last time, I also don't eat artificial sweeteners, soda, chocolate, junk, etc., EVER, and usually eat a very low sugar index diet, and therefore don't believe the results of the test really apply to me and how I normally eat. 

I imagine, unless my midwives demand it, I will decline in favor of monitoring my blood sugar at home for a week or something.

[Buddhamom]

Well, it came up yesterday and I said I was declining the test.  Thye midwife I had yesterday was fine with it as I really had no risks.  She however did say that she was fairly new to this practice but at her last practice they were very open to alternative ways and wouldn't have had a problem, but she is going to run it by the OBs at my practice.  She said it was no problem since I was 24 weeks, but I actually am 25.5 so I am hoping that by my next visit I will be too far past the 28 weeks to do it since I will be 29.5 weeks *LOL* I also told her no to the HIV and syphyllis.

[Buddhamom]

I had another appt. yesterday and this time the OB came in instead of my midwives because he heard I was declining.  He wasn't comfortable with me skipping it and he was honest that he thinks I have no risks but for liability he would be more comfortable covering his bum.  He asked if I would meet him halfway and do a fast then a finger prick and I said yes.  He was fine with no HIV test too which was nice to hear.

[clutterbug]

Originally Posted by Buddhamom 

I had another appt. yesterday and this time the OB came in instead of my midwives because he heard I was declining.  He wasn't comfortable with me skipping it and he was honest that he thinks I have no risks but for liability he would be more comfortable covering his bum.  He asked if I would meet him halfway and do a fast then a finger prick and I said yes.  He was fine with no HIV test too which was nice to hear.

That's interesting that he was good with that...only cause when I suggested the same to my midwife, she said a fasting glucose would give an idea of whether there was pre-existing diabetes, but not necessarily screen for GD.  I did end up having the fasting test done just as a general check (I had already decided to decline the 1-hour) and it was fine.  Anyway, I found that reassuring at the time, but especially so now that I read your OB's acceptance of it as an alternative :)  Thanks for the update!

[LeighPF]

I had wanted to not do the test this time. My midwife had two reasons for me to do it:

1. They have had only a few cases of GD in their practice, including a thin college student with no risk factors. So she was very cognicent of it happening to people who are not typical GD case

2. My son was a big baby. If I have another big baby, having the test on file shows that that is just how I make them, and there is nothing wrong behind it.

She also said, I could substitute another drink with that level of sugar. I think the Odwallia juices qualify

[Buddhamom]

I fasted and then went in for the finger stick and my number was 70 so I am all clear.  Also, I barely knew she stuck me.  They have come a LONG way since the last time I had a finger prick!