How to avoid scheduling the dreaded GTT? « Back to Group Discussions

[StartingAllOver]

I have my 24 week appointment early next week, and I know that my MW is likely to bring up scheduling a GTT.

I don't want it.

At all.

I was diagnosed with GD during my second pregnancy after being only one point off. The drink made me throw up and remain nauseated for the rest of the day. I was assigned a dietician and diabetic counselor and given a glucose monitor.
My blood never tested high. My baby was under 8 lbs. Yet because of the diagnosis, I was congratulated for having managed my GD so brilliantly even after trying to explain that I hadn't done ANYTHING.  
It was a very frustrating experience. 

So, with my third, I just told the doc everything, the drink made me vomit, I never had to change my eating, no complications with the baby, and I didn't want to go through that again. She said fine, I should just test my sugar levels and keep track, just in case. 
So yay!

Except, what I didn't realize was that she diagnosed me as having GD. Which I found out during labor when the nurses started asking me questions about my glucose levels, and mentioning the extra things they would need to do with dd after she was born.

Ugh.avoid the nonsense. 

So here I am, really wanting to avoid the nonsense. I figure that even if I manage to keep the drink down, I may still test "high" and get diagnosed unnecessarily. My favorite would be to just avoid the whole dang thing since I am already supposed to have monthly u/s screenings and NSTs once I hit 30 weeks. Those would show many of the same things that they look for in a mother with GD, I believe.

Any ideas?



 

[harmonious]

Do you have the same provider again? I would definitely see if you can have a discussion about options.  At my last appt (17 weeks) I told my Dr. I didn't want to do that test and what could we do as an alternative, and he said they can check my blood sugar at a number of consecutive appointments instead.  So, see if there is an alternative that will allow you to avoid the drink but not get the GD diagnosis.

some articles I read before talking to my doc:  http://robbwolf.com/2010/09/06/gestational-diabetes-what-constitutes-low-blood-sugar/

http://robbwolf.com/2008/06/25/gestational-diabetes/

Good Luck!

[heyitskalista]

Can't you just decline the test? 

I've declined it in the last two pregnancies (didn't know I could in the first!).but I have no risk factors.  I know many doctors around here don't do the sugary drink test and just test blood sugar levels. 

[StartingAllOver]

I am really hoping I can just decline, or have them check my blood without the drink. 
My risk factors are numerous. Age, weight, and previous diagnosis. :-/

My babies were clearly normal. All my blood checks were normal. I simply cannot tolerate that dumb ole drink!

 

[heyitskalista]

Well they certainly can't force you to do it!

[harmonious]

Agree with Kalista, they can't force you, like any test you can always decline. However, according to a girlfriend of mine who is a CNM, if they haven't confirmed that you don't have GD, then they will treat you as if you *might* have it, which is essentially treating you as if you do.  So, take that into consideration when making your decision about what to do.  Best case would be to find an alternate way your care providers can be satisfied that you don't have GD without having to do the OGGT.

[dayiscoming2006]

Yeah, I'd try to do an alternative test that would satisfy them. I did the test with eating a meal and then coming back with my last baby and that's the plan with this one as well. My midwife has a list of types of meals that would work. 

[InLove2009]

They wanted me to do this test once a couple of years ago.... I would always get sick when I ate something sweet. At that time, my insurance did not cover it, so I never had it. I don't know if I would do it being pregnant (and now it is covered). I have noticed though that I can't eat anything sweet and that it makes me feel sick.... What happens if they do say you have GD. Do you have to take insulin? 

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by InLove2009 

They wanted me to do this test once a couple of years ago.... I would always get sick when I ate something sweet. At that time, my insurance did not cover it, so I never had it. I don't know if I would do it being pregnant (and now it is covered). I have noticed though that I can't eat anything sweet and that it makes me feel sick.... What happens if they do say you have GD. Do you have to take insulin? 

No, you don't have to take insulin. I think the concern is they will keep your baby for longer in the nursery?

[lolliegee]

The concern is the size of the baby and with uncontrolled (high) blood sugar, there is a small risk of still birth, although they like to play that up much bigger. The easiest way to control blood sugar is with diet, generally a low carb diet is great. I'm type 2 diabetic and that's how I control mine. If you can't control it with diet, there are oral medications that can be taken before going to insulin. Also, there are natural ways to help reduce it. If you're considered GD, then they'll also be concerned about the baby's blood sugar levels after birth. Definitely something you'll have to guard against, and be strong about not giving formula, they will push for it instead of just letting you nurse. But, nursing, most of the time is sufficient. Another thing they will do with that diagnosis is PUSH for induction. They'll play the dead baby card. However, as long as your blood sugar is under control and baby is doing well, there's no reason for induction. All that being said, there is research saying that GD is not what it seems and that there are many good reasons to not have the test done. I'm sorry I don't have any links to the research right now as I'm on my phone and am rarely on a computer. Also, of course these are my experiences, having been diagnosed with GD twice and going through two pregnancies (now on my third) as a type 2 diabetic. Please feel free to ask me questions.

[SunnyMuffin]

I guess it just depends on your care provider.  My first midwife sent me for the 2 hour test straight away for no real reason, my midwife this time says I can decide if I want to be tested and I can do a post-prandial (2 hours after a meal) blood sugar reading instead of the glucose drink.

[StartingAllOver]

Well, yesterday was the appt. and the MW said I could take one of two alternatives. There is the jelly beans, or a high glycemic breakfast. I think I would rather go with the breakfast, as it seems closer to real food. which would actually reflect what my body does with real food.

If I don't "pass" the test, at least I will actually be able to believe the result!  

[J and Js mommy]

My past Two pregnancies I failed the sugar drink test and was then put thru the extended fasting tests where they draw blood. I was negative for both of the blood tests but I got very sick with the fasting! I'm skinny and don't eat too bad. I'm not going to take the test again this time. Done! They can draw blood if they want but no fasting drink crap.

[HWBMama]

My midwife said that I could drink grape juice! She said that icky stuff is just branding and a way to make money. Ill probably pass on it completely and just check my levels though.

[dayiscoming2006]

I had a choice between the draw blood, eat a meal and 2 hours later draw again thing after fasting from midnight. My appointment will be at 8:30am for that. Or I could have done the pregnancy type one and the nasty drink or instead of that a small snickers bar she said. She told me she sees the 2 hour wait after fasting one as being more accurate since it's more like what you would naturally do and I agree.

[Tenk]

I've never been told to "fast" for the Glucola screening or alter my eating at all.  And with the last one I had a glass of chocolate milk and banana on the way in to the appt then failed the test by 1 point.  I did do the 3 hour test after and passed with flying colors.  So after all this talk I spoke to my Dr about the "1 bag of skittles being the same as the drink they offer" and he said flat out ... the exact amounts are measured out for the drink and with a bag of skittles if you opened and measured sugars and calories etc that 10 bags would have 10 different results because everything is made in batches or bulk and it's impossible to know exactly what goes into each.  I'm not suggesting that any or either testing process is the right or wrong answer just what the info my high risk OB gave me was.  He did tell me I could do it how ever I wanted to do it though.  I will drink the glucola this time because I don't mind the taste and will just get it over with but I WILL make sure I don't have a glass of chocolate milk before I go in :)

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by Tenk 

I've never been told to "fast" for the Glucola screening or alter my eating at all.  

I don't think you are supposed to. The alternative test to that one requires the fasting. Which is more like what a normal diabetic screening would be if you weren't pregnant. Diabetes runs in my family big time, but thankfully, I've passed all tests I've taken until now and I'm hoping that my healthier eating habits and activity level will possibly keep it away. My family members that did end up with diabetes didn't eat the best and weren't maybe as active as they could have been.

[Ruheling]

I was told to not eat for 2 hours before the one hour glucola test. I didn't think it was that bad, more like flat sprite, but I also knew that I wouldn't have issues with it - as my blood sugar problems generally go the other way - which is tougher to test.

[J and Js mommy]

I don't mind the sugar drink at all, it's the fasting that kills me for a couple days. The dorks scheduled my appointment at 1pm last time so I couldn't eat all morning but I had almonds. That wacked me out. I was pissed and still failed.

[J and Js mommy]

I recently had an appt w a dr who said you will have the diabetes test. Sure buddy, schedule it and I'll cancel it. He agreed it was stupid of the last one to have been SCHED at 1pm. If they work it into my rhogam shot, which involves sitting around for hours, I may do the sugar drink test. If not, too bad.