Glucose Test!

pammasu0909

My test is scheduled for Friday at 23 weeks because I had GD with DD.  This will be the 4th time I've taken one, so I'm not too anxious but I wanted to share some tips I learned along the way.

• If you have the choice, get the drink cold.  It's way easier to drink cold than room temp.
• It is sweet, but to me it tastes like a melted popsicle.  Not that bad.
• There are 3 different types of glucose tests.  One hour, 2 hour, and 3.  My doc only does the 2 hour so you get one shot to pass/fail.  Some will do the one, and if you fail make you take the 3.
• Don't eat a bunch of sugar the day before, and don't avoid sugar either.  Eat your normal diet.  Cheating the test doesn't help you or your baby!
• Don't stress

Any other questions?  Ask away!

mrsstuessy

Apparently my UO for this week is that the glucose test is totally no big deal for me. It tasted like flat orange soda. It didn't make me sick or anything. I did the 1 hour test last time and passed. I have another 1 hour test this time, in 3 weeks. Just eat like normal and relax. It would definitely suck to have GD, so of course there is a small worry in the back of my mind. But, the actual test is nothing to freak out about. 

jennielynn+

@mrsstuessy Totally agree with you. 

Like the 4th bullet says, you should eat nothing out of the ordinary the day(s) before. If you have GD, you don't want the hassle of fudging your numbers and having to find out later. Also, you don't want the test to be borderline and have to take the longer one. I knew two girls that tried to "fake out" the test. I suspect they felt guilty they were overindulging in their diet. That isn't how GD works. Just follow the instructions the office gives you. 

Magheeta

I don't remember whether or not I had a choice to drink it cold or room temp, but I did choose the red flavor because I was told it was the easiest to swallow. It wasn't bad at all. The worst part was having to wait, and I only did the one-hour test. Bring a book or some work to do while you're waiting for your body to process the juice. 

mrsstuessy

At my last OB's office they gave me the drink and let me drink it at home and then drive in to get my blood drawn. At my midwives they schedule an appointment during the wait. So, I get there a little early, drink the drink, go upstairs and have my monthly appointment and then go back down to the lab and get my blood drawn. So, there should only be 30 minutes of waiting, max. It wouldn't hurt to ask if something like those options might work. 

Blueberry85

I agree that a lot more seems to be made out of the glucose test than really needs to. It wasn't a big deal in my experience. I failed my initial 1-hour test last time and passed the 2-hour test no bother. I'm contemplating asking just to skip the 1-hour this time and go straight to the 2-hour as the 1-hour is just a screening test while the 2-hour is actually diagnostic.

I will say I find it worrying when women ask for tips for influencing the test by changing their diet beforehand (not that that is what's happening here, but you do seem to see it quite a bit on the various message boards). Cheating the test and possibly getting a false negative is only going to hurt you and your baby. Sure, having GD would suck, but it would suck a whole lot more, to put it mildly, to have undiagnosed GD.

Magheeta

@mrsstuessy - if only my OB's office was that efficient! 

pammasu0909

@Magheeta I'm "lucky" that this isn't around an appointment... so 2 hours of sitting in a waiting room people watching!  I'm already planning what chargers I need to bring haha.

HappyAnjel

I didn't find it a big deal either.. other than being annoying to sit around during the three hour test. (I just failed the 1 hour)  this time I've already taken a 1 hour at 15 weeks (since I had GD with my daughter I did an early one and I'll still have one at 26 weeks since I passed)

I also hate when people try to pass by changing what they eat etc. I had a friend who didn't actually drink the drink she just ate a donut before going and pretended she drank the drink. She passed but it always sat wrong with me that she would chance her and babies health for the convenience. 

catem07

Thanks for the tips. My doctor is located at the hospital, so mine is also an appointment. I'll drink the stuff around 9 and see my doctor around 9:30. 

Taylor72

Thank you for starting this.  As a FTM it's nice to hear that it isn't that big of a deal.  Everyone I have talked to said it was awful, stories of people throwing up and having to start all over.  I was really nervous about it.  Mine is on the 19th of this month and it's the 2 hour one at the hospital.  No way to get the drink beforehand and no appointment that day either.  Guess I will take a book or magazine to read. 

lovelongdog06

I don't have to do the syrup drink. My midwife tests after normal healthy meals instead. So instead of downing a drink and waiting, I'll just have a full typical breakfast (eggs, toast, the works) then show up for my appointment the correct amount of time later (2 hours I think?) For the appointment and test. 

Taylor72

you lucky duck! @lovelongdog06

chelle087

@lovelongdog06 I wish my OB did this! I didn't actually get sick with my last pregnancy but felt super shaky afterwards due to the sugar overload (I normally try to limit my sugar). I failed it by one point I think and had to take the 3 hour, which made me feel even worse after. I am really hoping for better results this pregnancy!

lovelongdog06

I have heard many stories of ladies refusing the drink. You could suggest a certain amount of jelly beans instead or just taking a glucose monitor home for a week?

SnarkasaurusRex

Yea, the glucose drink is not bad at all. I borderlined my one hour test, so my OB had me take the 3 hour since I am normally hypoglycemic. That one sucked, but mostly because I hate getting blood drawn and I was hungry as all get out by the time it was done. I have to get my testing done at a lab where they don't do appointments, so I'd had to wait almost an hour before they even got me started in the first place. I passed that one easily, but DS was HUGE when he was born (they did an US at 38 weeks to see if he'd flipped from being breech and he measured at 42 weeks), so my OB thinks that either my due date was wrong, which could be possible since I had really irregular cycles, or I had undiagnosed GD. My OB is sending me for the test next week, which is a little on the early side, just to see what's going on.

Definitely don't try to fake out the test. Eat like you normally would leading up to it. If you DO have GD, you want to know so you can take the appropriate steps to protect your and your baby's health. A former co-worker refused to do the GD screen because she heard the drink was "gross," and she went into preterm labor and it was later determined that she had full blown GD. Baby was born 10 weeks early and spent about that much time in the NICU because of breathing issues. Seriously, if your medical profession orders the test, go do it.

If you're not wanting to do the drink (which I agree with others just tastes like flat orange soda), talk to your doctor, as there is probably an alternative you can do.

ebloom3

Has anyone skipped the one hour and just done the three? With my other two pregnancies I failed the one hour and had to do the three. Is rather just do the three the first time. 

SnarkasaurusRex

@ebloom3 My OB gave me the choice between the one and the three hour this time. I would think it's worth asking to see!

davis7912

Unlike most of you ladies, I absolutely hated the drink! It was horrible and I violently vomited in the bathroom for 20 minutes, just barely able to finish the 1hr test. That experience was horrible with DD, so I've requested alternative testing method with this pregnancy and thankfully my midwife is completely understanding and offered me other options. 

Best of luck to all. 

cafedisco

lovelongdog06 said:

I don't have to do the syrup drink. My midwife tests after normal healthy meals instead. So instead of downing a drink and waiting, I'll just have a full typical breakfast (eggs, toast, the works) then show up for my appointment the correct amount of time later (2 hours I think?) For the appointment and test. 

This was me with my first.  She even sent me home with a finger pricker and I did my own bloodwork.

This time, my midwives said they recommend the glucose drink because it is standard of care and it is more reliable. I do have a choice though.  I have to have done my research and know what I want by my next appointment in 3 weeks because that's when we're setting up whatever is next.

lovelongdog06

I honestly probably wouldn't hate the drink as much as some other ladies, but I've heard so many awful reactions it's definitely worth asking for alternatives if you need to. To be clear, I'd never advocate skipping testing entirely.

MWoodside

davis7912 said:

Unlike most of you ladies, I absolutely hated the drink! It was horrible and I violently vomited in the bathroom for 20 minutes, just barely able to finish the 1hr test. That experience was horrible with DD, so I've requested alternative testing method with this pregnancy and thankfully my midwife is completely understanding and offered me other options. 

Best of luck to all. 

The drink doesn't make me puke, but it makes me feel super gross and gives me a headache. That came up in conversation and my dr mentioned I can just do 100% natural juice. Buy a flavor I like from WF or the like, bring it to the appt and they will doublecheck how much I need to drink to get 50 grams of sugar. She said getting sick from the drink means your body processes sugars well.

dam0ne4

I liked the drink too  I had GD with my 1st pregnancy so I'm getting tested around 20 weeks this time. 

If you do get it, it 's not fun, but not the end of the world.  I ended up losing some weight because of the diet and ended up following it (less strictly) after the pregnancy too

doozenberg

Thanks for all the helpful tips ladies. I'll be doing the 1hr glucose test. I never really drink anything sugary so hopefully I don't react too badly to it.

ConstanceGoodspeed

Eat plain eggs (no sausage, cheese, bread, ketchup, etc) for breakfast the day of the test. Not to trick the test, but to help your body absorb the sugary drink and not feel sick from sugar overload.

Brush your teeth after drinking it. It gets the taste out of your mouth and might help with nausea, plus you don't want that sugar sitting on your teeth.

Dannylion24

I've taken it 4 times; 3 orange and 1 fruit punch. The fruit punch was cold so it was probably my favorite. Never had trouble drinking it. Kinda hoping for a new flavor just out of boredom this time. The jellybean thing sounds interesting, too! 

rachelmiller03

dam0ne4 said:

I liked the drink too  I had GD with my 1st pregnancy so I'm getting tested around 20 weeks this time. 

If you do get it, it 's not fun, but not the end of the world.  I ended up losing some weight because of the diet and ended up following it (less strictly) after the pregnancy too

All of this with my 1st pregnancy too! At 20 weeks, I still weight less than I did before I got pregnant with #1. My GD was very well maintained, so my OB didn't see a need to test early this time. 

Mama5181

I had gastric bypass surgery a while back so I can't effectively take the drink version of the GD test. My OB is going to get me a kit to test my levels at home for a week or so. And go from there. 

ashleym112

@SnarkasaurusRex I'm still reeling over your coworker who refused the test and her baby being in the NICU! I can't believe someone would do that simply because you heard the drink was gross. That's just awful.

I got asked a lot by of dr's if I had GD while pregnant with DS bc he was so big, I had extra ultrasounds to monitor his hands so they always commented on his size and he was 10 at birth. I took the 1hr and the waiting was the worst part. I didn't think the drink was as bad as people made it out to be, so I think everyone saying it was the disgusting thing on the planet made me dread it more than I would have if people were more like, well it was gross but manageable. Just drink it as quickly as you can without making yourself sick. 

I do feel bad for the ladies who get sick from all that sugar though. That would be awful. 

SnarkasaurusRex

@ashleym112 She was literally one the dumbest, most self absorbed people I have ever met in my life. She LOVED to be the center of attention and to get pity from everyone. At one point she fake a pregnancy and a miscarriage to get attention. So I'm sure her refusal of the glucose test was supposed to be a "poor, pitiful me; I just can't drink it!" moment, but it caused a lot of problems for her baby in the end (who is a healthy almost 4 year old now).

pammasu0909

ConstanceGoodspeed said:

Eat plain eggs (no sausage, cheese, bread, ketchup, etc) for breakfast the day of the test. Not to trick the test, but to help your body absorb the sugary drink and not feel sick from sugar overload.

Brush your teeth after drinking it. It gets the taste out of your mouth and might help with nausea, plus you don't want that sugar sitting on your teeth.

Actually a lot of people have to fast before the test.  Make sure you follow instructions!

mrsstuessy

pammasu0909 said:

ConstanceGoodspeed said:

Eat plain eggs (no sausage, cheese, bread, ketchup, etc) for breakfast the day of the test. Not to trick the test, but to help your body absorb the sugary drink and not feel sick from sugar overload.

Brush your teeth after drinking it. It gets the taste out of your mouth and might help with nausea, plus you don't want that sugar sitting on your teeth.

Actually a lot of people have to fast before the test.  Make sure you follow instructions!

I didn't think it was ever recommended to fast anymore. Perhaps that is for different circumstances? I would question your doctor why they want you to fast if they ask for that. Not eating between the drink and the blood test is normal, but eating before the drink is usually always recommended. 

dam0ne4

Actually I think I had to fast for my first pregnancy but they definitely told me not to fast this time.

SnarkasaurusRex

I was told to fast beforehand because they are taking a "fasting blood sugar" measurement as part of my testing. That may be because I am typically hypoglycemic so they want a baseline, but I agree with PPs that you should follow the directions you're given, and double check with your OB/whoever is ordering the test if you're not sure.

ladameperdue

Just did this yesterday; thought it was so gross (just like last time). All I could think about was what a disgusting waste of calories. 

Magheeta

My OB's office recommends that you fast, but if you have to eat, you can have as many plain eggs as you need. Definitely make sure to follow your doctor's instructions though. 

pammasu0909

I think the one hour test does not require fasting, but anything over does so they can get the fasting glucose level to start.  So when I go tomorrow they will take a fasting sample, give me the drink, an hour later they will draw my blood, then an hour after that they will draw again.

Annsor

I feel like I'm the only one that flat out refuses this test. Eek! I reacted terribly to the glucose tolerance test during my first pregnancy. Not sure if it was the sugar overload or that I had been fasting, but I fainted in the parking lot. 14 years later, and I still have the lovely scar on my head. For my second pregnancy, I opted for a baseline glucose blood test. I'll do the same for this pregnancy. It's good to have a doctor that gives you options and the ability to make an informed decision. My last OB had an issue with me asking for an alternative test...which is silly since there ARE alternate ways to check levels. 

rachelmiller03

I had GD with DS, and the 1 hour wasn't bad (no fasting, drink wasn't horrible like I expected) but 3 hour glucose what much more difficult for me. My OB office always schedules them 1st thing in the morning, because it is a fasting test. They also suggest bringing something to eat right after. I brought a peanut butter sandwich, so I didn't have to drive home with crashing blood sugar. This time, I will do the same with the 1 hour. 

MrsBakes

I'm not nervous about the test that's coming up in 3 weeks, but I really do dread drinking the stuff. They do give it cold at our clinic but it made me totally nauseous. And I had no real nausea with my first pregnancy period. I always felt so awesome. But that drink was so incredibly sweet to me and I had a hard time keeping it down. But at the end, I survived, passed and all is well LOL

lovelongdog06

In case anyone was curious what a non-drink alternative glucose test looks like, these are the instructions I picked up at my appointment today.