Glucose drink for gestational diabetes

EriAngel · August 2013

Is there an alternative to the glucose test for gestational diabetes? I don't want to drink that GMO, red dye drink if it isn't absolutely necessary... I heard about a fasting blood test and one where you can drink grape juice (I'd buy organic). I wanted to see if anyone has done either. Thanks!

Shaunamae87 · August 2013

It's not that bad. Tastes like a melted Popsicle.. Maybe you could eat a stack if pancakes instead? But maybe you should ask the Dr first..

ArmyQM · August 2013

There are different ways to do it but it really all depends on your provider and lab on how they're willing to do it.

24karat · August 2013

The only alternative I've heard of is a jelly bean test, but very few labs will allow it due to it being hard to control conditions. If they do alt testing, they'll probably require you use what they have on hand rather than let you bring in something of your own. The glucose drink is very concentrated and has to be taken within 5min so that would probably affect being able to sub in a regular juice. I don't know about a strict fasting test. I had to fast before all of my GD tests. A fasting only test doesn't really make sense to me, since what they're checking is how your body handles glucose.

ArmyQM · August 2013

As I stated above, there are alternatives and to give you an idea of what they might be for you this is a good link to start your search. https://tinyurl.com/m3rzudn If you're willing, testing your blood sugar over a week or two would probably be the best route since its likely even more accurate than the test done in the lab.

ForeverEverAfter · August 2013

It depends on what your lab is able to do. Here they won't do alternatives because they can't control it. You have to drink the whole thing in front of the tech. Next pregnancy I'll refuse. I would offer to test myself if my Dr was concerned.

tiggernorton04 · August 2013

My midwives will let you eat a breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and milk. As a vegetarian, it's the glucose drink for me! I have also heard some providers will allow you to eat a king-sized chocolate bar! I wish!

Ireland05 · August 2013

Our midwives offered orange juice as an alternative. I opted for the glucose drink b/c it is much better controlled and I am not worried about the drink. We had the choice of lemon-lime or orange flavored. It wasn't bad.

TREDgirl · August 2013

The drink I had was clear and tasted like flat Sprite. Maybe this is an option instead of the orange type one?

ABeautifulMind · August 2013

tiggernorton04 said:

My midwives will let you eat a breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and milk. As a vegetarian, it's the glucose drink for me! I have also heard some providers will allow you to eat a king-sized chocolate bar! I wish!

Similarly to this, my HB midwife had me test my own blood sugar at home with a kit a diabetic would use to test their levels. MW advised me to take my blood sugar before eating breakfast. Then she recommended pancakes with maple syrup and a glass of OJ. Following breakfast (can't remember how long) I took my blood sugar again. Super easy!