Glucose screening test (FTM)

ellief_0926

Just had my glucose screening test this AM.   Drink didn’t taste too bad but was ridiculously sweet.  I started feeling like I was going to pass out about 30 min later.  Had to stumble to the nurses station so they could lay me down.  Anyone else have a tough time with this test??  I’m debating on getting a 2nd test if I fail the first.  I’m reading online that this test is technically optional, but they never mention that in the clinic!  Looks like there is some debate in the medical community if they should test low risk patients at all.  Has anyone refused the test before? 

janinegb

I don’t know about that…can you reject testing? That sounds like something that would make me
ill or even pass out. 

hannalaa

i haven’t personally had my test yet, but i have heard of people refusing the test entirely, replacing the drink with other options like jellybeans, or monitoring their own blood sugar at home for the course of a week or two and reporting back to their doctor with the results. there definitely are options!

knottiec1bd6c5399b4642a

So sorry to hear about your experience! Personally, I'd get the test done because gestational diabetes is a serious problem, and I've had friends who had no risk factors and got diagnosed out of the blue thanks to the test. I'd trust your OB that the pros outweigh the cons.

I'm so sorry to hear that you had a bad reaction to the drink! Just to give the FTMs a different side, I had no negative reaction when I got my glucose screening test with my first pregnancy, so that's possible too.

Good luck, everyone! 

dogmom19

I’m a FTM going in for my glucose screening next week. I’ve heard it isn’t a fun time, but I’m still going to do it. I have family members who are type 1 and know how challenging pregnancy was for them, and how serious diabetes is. I don’t think avoiding the test is worth the risk, and think it’s important to take GD seriously. 

omnommer

There are definitely alternatives like checking your blood sugar at home over a couple of weeks. What you experienced during your test definitely happens on occasion! I definitely recommend checking in some way for GD if you need another test, but at home testing is an option. It just takes more time. 

With my first kid, I had gestational diabetes. I failed my first test so bad (202) that they diagnosed me straight away and didn’t have me take any further testing. It can have serious repercussions if you have it and don’t know. (And side note, as a commenter above - anyone can have it - I was petite, active and eating very healthy through my pregnancy up to that point. It’s all about the placenta - anyone can have it!)

janinegb

I’m not good at having blood drawn at all but I should be fine. I think this test is still 2-3 weeks away 

ellief_0926

Thanks for the feedback everyone!  My results came in and I have moderate anemia which may have caused the fainting episode.  I also technically passed the glucose test but am right on the line!  Similar to @omnommer I started this pregnancy very petite and active (BMI around 18-19).  Pregnancy is so strange!!  I think I’ll just do some of the diet and exercise things they recommend for gestational diabetes just in case.  

zzzoe05

You can ALWAYS refuse any kind of prenatal screening or testing! Always, even if your doctor strongly recommends something they can never force your hand. It’s a big pet peeve of mine that in the US there are a whole host of routine screening tests that are not expressed as being optional, it’s just framed as “what we do.” Informed consent and bodily autonomy is so so important for birth and pregnancy is a really good time to start practicing asserting yourself! That’s not to say you should refuse testing you’re comfortable with and anyone can get gestational diabetes but the GTT is only the gold standard in the US — it’s not routinely done in other countries. You can always ask your doctor about benefits, risks, and alternatives of any test and if something does not feel right to you you can ALWAYS decline!! I think it’s really important for mothers to know this!

ellief_0926

So an update to my update - despite my lab document saying I “passed” the screening test, the midwife called me back and said I failed!  I guess they use a lower threshold than 140mg.  They told me I HAD to do the 3 hour test and I refused.  If pounding a 50mg sugary drink made me feel horrendous, pounding a 100mg drink will be even worse.  The midwives acted like no one has ever refused this test before.  They threatened to treat me like a diabetic the entire pregnancy, then came back and said I could monitor blood sugar at home for a couple weeks.  So I’m going that route.  I have a Type 1 diabetic in my family and have done finger sticks before…not the worst thing and no fainting.   I’m just frustrated by the way my healthcare professionals have a lack of empathy!  Hope everyone else’s testing goes smoothly!  

zzzoe05

Good for you for asserting your own bodily autonomy! You should never be threatened by a healthcare professional (I say this as one myself) and should only be provided with the benefits, risks, and alternatives for any procedure, at which point you can give informed consent or revoke it. It’s a little frightening to me that this kind of coercion has become standard practice… I’m sorry to hear your experience was unpleasant and hope you can take pride in standing your ground. Glucose monitoring is honestly a better route anyway, as it shows your system’s response over time to your normal diet.

knottie8a05f27cfe0ff7f4

If you refuse the 3 hour, the Dr will treat you & the pregnancy as if you ARE a gestational diabetic.  

ellief_0926

They may threaten you with that (my midwives certainly did), but in the end they can only encourage you to test your blood sugar for a set amount of time (for me it was 2 weeks).  This is voluntary as well - no one can force you to do finger sticks 4x a day.  I tracked for about 1.5 weeks and then got a 2nd opinion from one of the obgyns at the clinic.  He looked at my numbers and said he wasn’t worried at all.  The highest I spiked was 144 after crushing a sub sandwich, chips, and a cookie.  He said he only gets worried when he starts seeings readings above 180.  

I was so happy I got a 2nd opinion - this doctor was compassionate and explained everything they’re looking for in detail - no vague threats about treating me as a diabetic the entire pregnancy.  

fariham96

I just got my results back and I failed the screening. The drink and whole process luckily wasn’t too bad for me so I’m going to take the three hour test. I’m already high risk and have gone through enough issues so I’m really hoping I pass this. Don’t need any more complications 😩

megsmith27

I'd be worried I'd randomly have diabetes if I didn't test. Not sure if you ate before you went? With my first, before the test I had some scrambled eggs. My doctor mentioned that eating something bland with no sugar like the scrambled eggs would help get through it. Good luck!

loloco22

Hey December moms! Adding another perspective and story. I did my 1 hour on Thursday and failed it a little… so my doctor encouraged me to go again as soon as possible. I had one egg that morning. By the way the drink was delicious to me, I like orange flavor things. I went back for my three hour test, still the orange drink was not so bad.. I was mostly anxious about sitting in one place for three hours. I had a whole set up, with my computer and phone and water. Had to stay out of my head and not overthink any feelings I had for sure! Also have LOTS of pokes in my arm now, a little bruised up, haha. It ended up flying by and I was cleared later that day, phew! Gotta do what you gotta do for baby that’s for sure. I do still need to change up my diet and walk more, I’ve just been devouring fruit since the beginning so working on more balanced meals! 

ellief_0926

Definitely find out if you have GD or not!  I’m not advocating ignoring warning signs or skipping the initial test….not just for risks to the baby but this test could be predicting your future in the next 10 years or so.  My only beef with my midwives is that they didn’t give me the full picture of risks, benefits, and treatment alternatives.  I’ve actually learned a lot from the finger sticks!  Cereal and sub sandwiches spike my blood sugar into that borderline zone.  Walking even 10 minutes after a meal regulates blood sugar.  Knowledge is power ladies!   😄

rac2718

I highly recommend a high protein breakfast before having the non fasting test. Before my 1st pregnancy I had a scrambled egg. I was in a hurry this time so I drank a glass of skim milk and ate a string cheese. I passed the test and didn't feel sick afterwards. Of course, passing the test is obviously not based on what you eat or don't eat but can help to avoid the false positive if you don't have gd.

janinegb

Wish me luck, mine is tomorrow 

mindless09

I apparently failed my 3hr screening, failed 2 of the draws. 😮‍💨 so now I have GD, anemia, and hypothyroid. Worried for what else will happen. Good luck to everyone else.

janinegb

Ok so it waaaaasnt toooooooo bad. It sucked, but I expected to feel worse.

00kim00

Mine is next week, the midwife said not to eat carbs or sugar (including fresh fruit) before the test, and my appointment isn't until 3:00, so I'm trying to think of what I can eat all day. I'll also be driving most of the day and no access to my office, so no fridge, freezer, or microwave, just my lunch cooler after 7am. I'm mostly not looking forward to that! 

And ALL tests and procedures are optional, this is just one that's highly recommended because the unpleasantness of a few hours doesn't compare to the danger of having GD and not knowing it. You CAN say no to pretty much everything - ultrasounds, bloodwork, weight checks, even prenatal visits all together. I think the one thing you can't decline is ultimately getting the baby out somehow 

janinegb

I’m just doing all the tests and everything so the adoption goes smoothly. 

goodyblmp

I wasn’t given any recommendations beforehand (to fast or not to fast), but I went first thing in the morning and didn’t eat anything. My results fell in the green range (111) so I’d say I passed.. haven’t heard officially from the doctor yet.