Gestational Diabetes testing?

[My Three Boys]

Are the rest of you going to get this test done? I'm leaning toward not getting it, but I need to do more research. Anyone done the research that they can share with me? Thoughts?

[lilgsmommy]

Sorry I havent really done any research on it but will be taking the test in a few weeks. Earlier than most people, I will be getting mine done around 19 weeks. I am hypoglycemic, and was borderline GD with my son. We will actually be doing it every 4-6 weeks just to make sure I am keeping it under control and that its not going towards GD this time.

Good luck in your research. I will definitly be reading any advice and research that others post as I am interested in the research too.

We are doing u/s throughout the pregnancy, and will be doing the GD testing but we didnt do the AFP/Quad screen, and wont do any other diagnostic type testing.

[savannah smiles]

I had GD with my last pg (I controlled it with diet alone) so I'm going to get tested this time around too. My ob will do the test at 24 weeks as opposed to 28 weeks and she didn't seem overly concerned. It makes me wonder if she's the kind of doctor who doesn't think GD is a big deal because I know some ob's want you to test at 10 weeks if you've had it before. I'm not too worried because it was so easily dealt with in the last pg.

[EllasMama]

I'm leaning toward foregoing the test. If I do decide to do it, I will do the same as last pregnancy, when I did the more "organic" version. Basically, you fast overnight then get tested before and after eating a large meal. I think you wait an hour or two after the meal before the second test, and you're encouraged to move about at your normal activity level during the interim. I prefer this test method, if any, because it is a much closer replication of the body's actual ability to handle sugars than the fasting/glucola test, which is a completely unnatural setup.

I may do more reading, but based on what I've read in the past, I don't think the research is conclusive as to what threat, if any, is posed by gestational diabetes. I do know that Americans tend to eat more than optimal sugary/carb foods, and this isn't great. Heaven knows I'm guilty of it lately, with my sweet tooth returning. But I have serious doubts as to some of the claims regarding GD and serious problems with the way they test it.

Carol

[lilgsmommy]

I'm leaning toward foregoing the test. If I do decide to do it, I will do the same as last pregnancy, when I did the more "organic" version. Basically, you fast overnight then get tested before and after eating a large meal. I think you wait an hour or two after the meal before the second test, and you're encouraged to move about at your normal activity level during the interim. I prefer this test method, if any, because it is a much closer replication of the body's actual ability to handle sugars than the fasting/glucola test, which is a completely unnatural setup.


Carol

The new test they do is non fasting. Before with DS I had to fast for 6-9 hours before hand and now I am told I can eat as long as I dont eat 2 hours before.
Then I will get the glucola stuff, and get a blood draw every hour for 3 hours. As with DS I will move around and go do things during this time. With DS I went to a thrift store down the street came back, then went to the park and came back.....so I was moving around alot. This time I plan on doing a few things just not as much cause I am on bedrest.

[crittersmom]

I'm turning it down this time.I always fail the 1 hr by 2 points and then pass the three hour but I just don't have time with 2 other children to do that again.Plus since I have the joy of M/S from conception to birth it is takes ALOT of lamaze breathing to do that 3 hour.
They tried to have me do it at 10 weeks and I just told the lab tech I wouldn't be doing it then because of M/S.I don't have a family history of diabetes or big babies so I think I'll be fine.
I do know GD is more serious than just a big baby and if you do feel odd about it just do the one hour when you between 24 and 28 weeks.

[MAMom]

I'll probably be skipping it too. Similar to what EllasMama described, my midwife would have me not eat after 8pm, then eat a specific meal the next morning and then test my blood 1 hour later.

We discussed it at my appt yesterday, and based on several things: size of baby #1, no family history of diabeties, no issues in last pregnancy with GD or protein in urine, no traces of protein in urine this time...I think I'll be skipping it. And midwife is fine with that (though she would have us sign a waiver indicating we knew the risks, etc.)

___________________________________
SAHM to a spectacular little boy, born 5/2003 :bf:xnocirc: :+ Feb 2006!
"When you teach your son, you teach your son's son." ~ The Talmud

[Jlcampbellkidz]

I tested negative with my two girls and they were both big babies, the first 8lb 4oz 3 weeks early and my second 9lb. 7oz 1 week early. I have already told my midwife I am not going to consent to the test. I would never consume that much sugar that's in that bottle not even in a whole day.

There is a new different blood test that they have that doesn't require drinking that nasty glucose stuff. I remember one of the moms posting about it during my last pregnancy. It is probably in the August 04 archives. I will ask my aug. group if they remember and still have the info then post. Good Luck.

[charmcitymama]

What's the deal if you do have GD?

About a year ago at a physical I did have high blood sugar and they wanted me to come back in to test again. So, maybe b/c of that I should get tested. Though I think I would feel some effect if it were a real problem, right?

[~lioneyes~]

From what I've heard, the problem with drinking the "sugar water", is that if you don't usually consume large amounts of sugary things, it can give you a way off reading. I would look into both options more.

[My Three Boys]

My midwife told me that some of the main concerns with GD include: big babies which can lead to a shoulder dystocia, and problems with the baby after birth due to blood sugar issues (including seizures). Also, apparently the lungs aren't usually as well developed.

I was going to refuse because I don't want to get caught up in that intervention cycle. (They'll want to keep testing, they'll want to do a late u/s - where we all know they estimate weight and it's so darn off most of the time!, they may then want to do a c/s just because of a big baby). I've had big babies (8,8; 8, 14; and 10,2) and never had GD. I eat an extremely healthy diet (well, except for that darn Oreo craving lately!). I don't have sugar or protein in my urine. The thought of drinking that stupid stuff when I never eat that much sugar makes me nervous. I had such a bad reaction to it the last time, I was scared.

Gotta run - my kids are running wild!

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Ok, I posted to my August 04 mammas group and asked who had done the different GD test. Her screen name is Mommy Caroline, can't remember if there was a space there. But she said to copy and paste her post and yall can PM her if needed. Bellow her post.
It's the glycohemoglobin, also known as the hba1c. It's actually not a new test, but it's one that is traditionally given to true diabetics. I cannot for the life of me figure out why they put us through the nausea and discomfort of the one and three hour tests when this one is available, and is so non invasive. It's a one vial blood draw, and measures the average level of your glucose over the previous 10-12 weeks. Mine was something like 5.3 which my doctor called borderline, but the truth is, that would be low for a non pregnant person. I think the top of the range for a non pregnant person is something like 9.5. So, I was *significantly* lower than normal, but my doctor STILL insisted on placing the GD label on me. GRRRR! I think the range for a pregnant woman would top out at about 7.0, but that's just a guess. It really should be lower because you're burning at a much faster rater, but how much lower is apparently up to debate.

It's just a blood test, but we should all ask about it's availability. There's no yucky drink, just blood draw and a lot less inaccuracy. Hope this helps!

[AndiG]

I didn't have any testing with dd, dr monitoired me and my family history was not such that they felt it was a concern, so no test.
With ds they did a one hour test where I ate recesses pieces and waited and hour and had ablood draw, its a lesser test but it has thes same amount of sugar as the normal test....

This time I'll do what my mw recommends, likely we'll discuss it next week.