fasting for GD test?

[YankeeMomInVA]

I'm confused....I set up my GD test at my last OB appt for later this month...and when I read the info sheet they gave me, they suggested not to eat anything for at least one to two hours before the test.

With my first, I'm pretty sure they asked me to fast overnight and come in first thing in the morning....So it was a good 10 hours of fasting. Am I just setting myself up for problems by taking the test after such a short fasting period? Or does it not matter?

Not that I WANT to fast any longer than a few hours, but I also don't want to give these people a reason to poke/prod me any more than they have to!

[sorteep]

I was not told to fast... I consented but am drinking OJ, I guess it depends.. I imagine a high protein/ fat meal/ snack before test would make you MORE likely to pass and fasting less likely to pass.. but I ma not pos on that.. need to think about it and brain not working welll right now

[BarefootinBrooklyn]

i had a friend whose dr. office receptionists told her she didn't have to fast, and she failed her test because her glucose levels were already high from the last thing she ate. i would imagine if you don't want to fast, make sure you're not eating foods high in glucose, then wait a few hours for the levels to go back to normal...

i just took mine yesterday first thing in the morning and just skipped breakfast. had a big ol' bagel with cream cheese right afterwards though! the drink wasn't as bad as everyone said, it was just like this drink they sell at the grocery store in the south called "orange drink," often served after church and at kids community functions. i can't believe they let us drink that stuff as kids

[crunchywannabe]

I have always been told not to fast, but to eat something low sugar and higher protein
like if you are going in the morning, have an egg/sausage something.

but not toast with jelly or a muffin! LOL

[marisa]

I wouldn't fast, just be sure to eat complex carbohydrates and otherwise healthy meal beforehand. Nothing sugary.

[YankeeMomInVA]

Gotcha... My appointment is at SIX PM. lol It's an awful time, but otherwise I'd have to bring DS...and while he loves going for our quickie visits, he'd go absolutely NUTS having to sit there for an hour PLUS the time for the appointment, too..... I have to have realistic expectations of him!

I'm just going to have to be ultra careful that day with what I eat (not that I eat sugary stuff anyway...)... and keep my protein intake high.

It's interesting to see the varying "instructions" we all get, though... kinda makes me question the whole process!! Though I really believe it's important to monitor this kind of thing.... I just don't want to be suckered into a false high reading!!

[Isaac'sMa]

Originally Posted by crunchywannabe

I have always been told not to fast, but to eat something low sugar and higher protein
like if you are going in the morning, have an egg/sausage something.

but not toast with jelly or a muffin! LOL

My instructions from my MW say the same thing. High protein breakfast, then don't eat for 2-3 hours then eat the food for the test and have the blood draw one hour later. My MW gives the option of several food combinations you can eat/drink for the test which I'll post if you (or anyone) is interested.

[LittleLlama]

If you can manage, go for a brisk walk around the building just after you drink the crap. 10 minutes of walking will lower your blood sugars by several points

[jlmack45]

I did not eat before my test. The OB told me that it did not matter if I had or not. I drank the orange stuff at 3, left for an hour, and came back. Mine came back fine. I was worried since I am a bigger girl and the risks are higher, but it worked out ok.

[YankeeMomInVA]

Originally Posted by Isaac'sMa

My instructions from my MW say the same thing. High protein breakfast, then don't eat for 2-3 hours then eat the food for the test and have the blood draw one hour later. My MW gives the option of several food combinations you can eat/drink for the test which I'll post if you (or anyone) is interested.

Sure... Would you mind sharing?? Thanks!

[meisterfrau]

I was told to fast for 12 hours...both in this pregnancy and the first, and that was two different doctors. It really wasn't as bad as it sounds, since I just didn't eat anything after dinner and then went first thing in the morning for the test.

Now the three hour test...that's very unpleasant. I got to do that one both times as well.

I don't think my fasting had anything to do with my failing the one hour, though. I already know I have problems processing sugar if not pre-diabetes anyway.

And to the OP, I can't imagine that if they wanted for you to fast, they'd have your appointment for 6PM! Talk about torture!

[meisterfrau]

Originally Posted by LittleLlama

If you can manage, go for a brisk walk around the building just after you drink the crap. 10 minutes of walking will lower your blood sugars by several points

I don't think you're really supposed to do this. It says right on the bottle of crap they make you drink that you're supposed to sit quietly until the test is over. You're right that it can affect the results.

Not that I have any problem personally with trying to "beat" the test, if that's what you're trying to do. If you're low risk, I'd certainly go for it! Personally, I'm not sure I'd go quite as far as what I've read elsewhere on MDC about GD being a bogus diagnosis, but I think many practitioners are WAY over-cautious about what they consider a "positive" on this test and a lot of women are subjected to the three-hour test when they really have little risk and little chance of having GD.

[YankeeMomInVA]

Originally Posted by meisterfrau

And to the OP, I can't imagine that if they wanted for you to fast, they'd have your appointment for 6PM! Talk about torture!

Right! Well that's why when I read the paper they gave me and it said just not to eat for an hour or two before, I was shocked.... Just b/c my previous experience was a LONNNNNNNNNNG fasting period and they made me have the appointment in the morning hours!

I'd get sick to my stomach if I couldn't eat for more than a few hours.... and I'd probably end up laying on the floor!

We shall see....

[Isaac'sMa]

This is what the sheet my MW gave me says:

"

Glucose Screening

This test is routinely done at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes. If your results are high it does not necessarily mean that you have gestational diabetes, but suggests the need for further diagnostic tests to know for sure. Most women have a negative screen and do not need further testing. With this test we use an equivalent to the glucola drink which equals a 50 gram glucose load.

Instructions for 1-Hour Glucose Screening

Eat a normal high protein breakfast (like eggs, toast, milk- NOT sugary cereal and juice!)
1. Wait at least 2-3 hours after your breakfast before drinking the juice and eating the banana.
2. One hour before your appointment choose one of the 50 gram glucose sources (see below*) and consume it within a 5 minute period. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING ELSE after eating your banana and drinking your juice except water before your blood is drawn. Note the time ( Be sure to note the time using a watch you will be bringing with you to your appointment.)
3. Your blood should be drawn 60 minutes after you finish your glucose source. Be sure to tell the secretary what time your blood draw is due to be drawn AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT.
4. Bring a high protein snack to your appointment to eat as soon as your blood is drawn. This will minimize any lightheadedness you might experience.

* 50 gram glucose source choices (CHOOSE ONE)
1. 16 oz. orange juice and 1/2 banana
2. 8 oz. apple juice and 1/2 banana
3. 8 oz. grape juice and 1/2 banana
4. 6 oz grape juice and 1 banana
5. glucose drink you were given by your midwife"


My MW encourages the test since it's real food (she STRONGLY discourages the glucola even though it's on her list of choices) and knowing the results can prevent problems down the line for baby and mama. Moms who do have GD are at a higher risk for developing Type II Diabetes later and it can largely be prevented through diet and exercise so it's something I'd want to know, ya know?

I hope the directions from my MW are helpful to you...

[tiffanymm]

Thanks!

[YankeeMomInVA]

Thanks for posting that!

I'm definitely stuck drinking the drink.... (which will be hard enough for my hyperemetic self as it is!) But at least this time there are flavor options...when I was pg w/my first it was just orange. ICK!

[meisterfrau]

When I just took the three-hour on Friday, all they had was lime.

[Isaac'sMa]

Originally Posted by meisterfrau

When I just took the three-hour on Friday, all they had was lime.

Ewww, I bet that was gross!

[LittleLlama]

Eewe, lime?!? The orange wasn't so bad, like a little jello mixed in with flat soda. It was VERY cold, so not totally gorss. Lime sounds terrible though!

[meisterfrau]

It was terrible. And the three-hour test, for anyone lucky enough not to have to know this, involves a 100g dose of glucose instead of the 50 you drink for the one hour. And the crap wasn't carbonated either. It was like drinking 8 ounces of lime green sugar slime.

I managed to get it down, but it was hard. I managed to KEEP it down, which was even harder. I had to sit there and will myself not to throw up. Horrid.