Sigh...help me pass my GTT and work through my emotions too. ;)

1299 Views 25 Replies 11 Participants Last post by NaomiLorelie, May 13, 2006

NaomiLorelie

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2006

2

Okay, I have to take it. Well, either that or I have to come in for a fasting test every few weeks for the rest of my pregnancy. I'm not doing that. I have midwives that I like that deliver at the local womans' hospital, but I am making an appointment to interview our local birth center. Either way it doesn't matter. Without taking the test I get thrown into high risk and have to see OB's. Homebirth isn't as much of an option as my husband rolls his eyes, sighs and says "I'll support you because I have to but no matter what you get me to read I'll never be okay with you giving birth at home because something could go wrong." Never mind the fact that I've had two totally complication free births and complications very rarely happen anyway. The birth center is an easy compromise because we will both feel comfortable. Plus, it came highly reccomended by my midwife who did her clinicals there. Yet another reason DH is comfortable with it. I don't know. I just feel like the world is against me right now. I would be completely comfortable with a UC, but there would be NO support there. Plus, I don't want to have to deal with all the hassle of people asking questions, the possiblilty of CPS being called because we didn't go to the hospital right away, blah, blah, blah. I'm pregnant, and I am taking good care of myself, and enjoying every minute of it. Why can't I just be left alone to make my own decisions. There is no support. Well, not none. My DH is a lovely man and wonderfully supportive, but I know that with his upbringing no matter what info I give him we will never see eye to eye on this. And it's the most important thing going on right now. So now that's I've written this novel

any ideas on what to do to make sure I pass the GTT and maybe some understanding. I sure could use some.

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maybebaby

· #2 · Apr 14, 2006

2

Naomi, I'm sorry you're feeling sad about your birth options. I'm sure it's really frustrating.

It sounds like you have a good plan in place though, especially with the birth center.

I'd say with the GTT, just make sure to eat some extra carbs in the days before the test (not loads, just a couple extra servings a day of good, whole grain carbs). Take the test in the morning when your blood sugar is likely at it's lowest anyway. Fast before the test, or if you don't at least have a high protein breakfast without lots of carbs. After you drink the glucola, WALK. Walk until you have to get the blood drawn as exercise helps to regulate blood sugar.

I bet you'll do fine!! Good luck!!

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Maxine45

· #3 · Apr 14, 2006

wow I think we married the same DH!
I'm also trying to figure out how to ace the GTT. I have a bottle of syrup in my fridge right now and instructions to take it and go to the lab within about 1 week from now (I've been sitting on it for a couple weeks trying to figure out how to best approach it).
It sounds like Maybebaby knows her stuff, those sound like good recommendations.
Good luck!!!

myniyer

· #4 · Apr 14, 2006

Cheryl has given you good advice. I would say definitely eat a high protein breakfast. The sugar will impact your blood sugar more on an empty stomach. And exercise is paramount! Walk circles around the building if you have to in that hour between the bottle of death and the blood draw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaomiLorelie
"I'll support you because I have to but no matter what you get me to read I'll never be okay with you giving birth at home because something could go wrong."

I would have stopped listening after "I'll support you"

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Hayes

· #5 · Apr 14, 2006

I did concurrent care with my last pregnancy. I saw my OB and my HB midwife. It made my husband feel much better. I don't know WHY as I only saw my doctor a couple of times. It took my husband a good deal of time to come around to the idea of homebirth. We are planning HB #2 and he is still freaked out about it, but is wonderful when it is time for the actual birth.

I'm with the PP also and would have stopped listening with "I'll support you," And siad THANKS HONEY! and have been done with it!

poetesss

· #6 · Apr 15, 2006

Sorry to hear your dh is not supportive of a homebirth! Mine prob wouldn't be as well, though not sure as I chose a birth center. My mom, who's a doc yet supportive of the birth center was like, OMG, dont' do it at home!

Have you considered which place is closer to the hospital, your home or the birth center? If your home is closer, then in the case of an emergency, home would be safer as you're closer to the emergency care. In any case, the supplies a midwife would use for a homebirth would be the same as at birth center birth, right? Unless it's a really high-tech center they just have basic low-tech supplies that they bring along to all home births.

FYI here's the advice my midwives gave for the gtt test:

No sweets the evening or morning before the test.

High protein dinner and breakfast.

Eat the following breakfast the day of the test (can delete, but don't add items):

2 scrambled eggs (or 3 oz other protein)
2 slices whole wheat toast
2 pats butter/margarine
1 c. unsweetened coffee/tea
water

The glucola is to be drunk 45 min to 1 hr after the breakfast.

Hope this helps!

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~pi

· #7 · Apr 15, 2006

2

I'm sorry you're not feeling well-supported.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaomiLorelie
Okay, I have to take it. Well, either that or I have to come in for a fasting test every few weeks for the rest of my pregnancy.

Does the fasting test need to be a lab test from a venous draw?

If not, a third option may be to pick up a home blood test meter (ask at your pharmacy if they have any that are currently distributed for free with purchase of a certain amount of test strips ... I have had many meters through my lifetime and have never paid for any of them) and do fasting tests yourself at home. Quick and easy, and all you have to do is keep a record for your MWs. You could even do postprandial tests (i.e. two hours after a meal, for example) if you want to be all keen.

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nichole

· #8 · Apr 15, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by poetesss
Sorry to hear your dh is not supportive of a homebirth! Mine prob wouldn't be as well, though not sure as I chose a birth center. My mom, who's a doc yet supportive of the birth center was like, OMG, dont' do it at home!

Have you considered which place is closer to the hospital, your home or the birth center? If your home is closer, then in the case of an emergency, home would be safer as you're closer to the emergency care. In any case, the supplies a midwife would use for a homebirth would be the same as at birth center birth, right? Unless it's a really high-tech center they just have basic low-tech supplies that they bring along to all home births.

FYI here's the advice my midwives gave for the gtt test:

No sweets the evening or morning before the test.

High protein dinner and breakfast.

Eat the following breakfast the day of the test (can delete, but don't add items):

2 scrambled eggs (or 3 oz other protein)
2 slices whole wheat toast
2 pats butter/margarine
1 c. unsweetened coffee/tea
water

The glucola is to be drunk 45 min to 1 hr after the breakfast.

Hope this helps!

has anyone here ever done this and what were the results?

why does this work? does it make it easier to metabolize the sugar drink? just curious.

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L'lee

· #9 · Apr 15, 2006

Fiber, fats, and protein all help to keep your blood sugar level more stable, so it makes a lot of sense to me that this would help. Also, make sure you walk around between drinking the glucola and getting the blood drawn.

I have chosen to test and keep records of my own blood sugar levels at home (once a week each for fasting and 1 hour post-prandial) instead of having the glucola test, and I'm very happy with this compromise. I still have a record showing that my blood sugar levels are normal, and it is based on what I'm actually eating, not some artificial test. Up to you, but if you really want to avoid the test this is a viable way to go.

~pi

· #10 · Apr 15, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichole
has anyone here ever done this and what were the results?

why does this work? does it make it easier to metabolize the sugar drink? just curious.

Fat and protein (and to a certain extent, fiber) slow down digestion, meaning that you are less likely to have a huge glycemic response spike (i.e. a spike in blood sugar).

If you put something slow-digesting in your stomach first (e.g. fat/protein) and then have a bunch of simple carbs (e.g. glucola drink), the protein/fat act as sort of a buffer and slow down the whole glucose conversion process.

Different people's bodies react differently, though, so you can't count on what worked for someone else working the exact same way for you.

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Maxine45

· #11 · Apr 18, 2006

I'm giving this a whirl right now, and am so appreciative of the post b/c I think otherwise I'd be too nervous to do the test at all without any insight.
Instead of scrambled eggs I'm having 2 hardboiled easter eggs but otherwise I'm being a prudent diet follower ;-)

I'll report back later when I get my results to let you all know how it worked.

the only thing I goofed up is that I failed to eat a hi-pro dinner last night, I was too tired to really eat :-(

Maxine45

· #12 · May 3, 2006

2

I wanted to report back that for me, the program Poetess posted above worked really well.
I just got my results today, and I scored 85

The upper limit was 140, after which point I would have flunked the test.

Thanks Poetess

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nichole

· #13 · May 3, 2006

ha great! was your dr /mw amazed at your score?

Maxine45

· #14 · May 3, 2006

I don't think so! She didn't even think to mention the results at our visit, I had to ask her how I'd done.

She went on to say they check for something else (hemoglobin?) at the same time and I got 11.5. I didn't really follow up on what that meant, but she said the baseline or cut off was 11. So I think I barely skated by on that one. I think it was a test for anemia.

nichole

· #15 · May 4, 2006

yes i think that is your iron levels. mine were 12.9 and my midwife thought that was aweseome. i think under 10 is really bad. so 11.5 doesn't sound too bad. are you feeling tired? i was tired and had low but not anemic iron levels with my first, and eating spinach really helped (and other iron rich foods with vit c and not with dairy).

NaomiLorelie

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 4, 2006

11.5 isn't too bad at all, esp. if you are feeling well. Just make sure you are getting plenty of iron, vit c, and folate. They all have an impact of iron levels.

poetesss

· #17 · May 4, 2006

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxine45
I wanted to report back that for me, the program Poetess posted above worked really well.
I just got my results today, and I scored 85

The upper limit was 140, after which point I would have flunked the test.

Thanks Poetess

wow, great that it worked, you are welcome! I'm sure the midwives who put the clinic's booklet out have seen it work well with women...makes more sense than the fasting test imo.

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ice_chick

· #18 · May 4, 2006

I am trying to get up the courage to go for my GTT. I don't need an appt so I am waiting til I feel like I am in the mood to start planning my meals around it. I am torn on whether to eat before or not. I have only taken the test fasting in my previous pregnancies & only failed once, passed the 3 hr though & I took it once this pregnancy in the beg. fasting & passed. I am wary of changing my ways, but my midwife also said to eat about two hrs before the test, something high protein like eggs, but not to have carbs. Which one is better? I am jealous that they let you take the bottle home to drink. I would only drink part of it & lie about the rest. Unfortunately, where I go they give you the drink & watch you like a hawk while you chug, but then they send you out & tell you to come back in an hr so I plan to walk around. Would it help if I drank lots of water during that hr, try & flush it out of my system. Has anyone tried that? Good luck to everyone on their tests!

Maxine45

· #19 · May 4, 2006

Ice, the instructions they gave me said that no water was allowed at all after I drank the stuff. So I don't know if they'd let you do that. . . It just seems so goofy to me that there are a million different ways to administer this test but it seems everyone reads the results in the same way.

I did walk around a lot while I waited though.

ice_chick

· #20 · May 4, 2006

Well, it's not about what they will let me do. Once I drink the stuff, I am free to go & just need to be back in an hr for the draw so if drinking water would help, I would go sit in my car or walk around & drink water.

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