fasting before gestational diabetes test?

jeanbean13

I am going in for my 1 hour gestational diabetes test soon.  And I'm a little confused.  My doctor said that I don't need to fast beforehand but recommended that I eat a low carb diet the day before and morning of.  However, another doctor I talked to (also a obstetrician) said that I should eat a low carb/low sugar diet a few days before the test and to go to the lab with an empty stomach (no food or drink).

What did you ladies do?  Fasting?  Adjust diet before the test? 

Thanks! 

LGalipp19

They told me I didn't have to fast also but I did being nervous I would eat something too sugary before the test. It was also at 10 AM and I had just eaten the night before, so its not like I was fasting for a really long time. The lab tech asked if I was fasting and I told her I was. She took my blood before and after the juice. It's all so confusing to me. You would think it would be more reliable if you fast because they would never know the sugar content of your breakfast.

mrsz2008

My doctor has never told me to fast beforehand. I didn't with DS and I didn't this time, but I also didn't have a super sugary breakfast, just cereal, although I did have half a pint of ice cream the night before...

I haven't heard back if I passed or not. I read the recommended instructions on the label of the glucose drink and it said to have patient fast, and to draw blood before and after the drink, which my doc doesn't do either. I don't think it's necessary to fast ahead of time, just don't go overboard on sugar the day of.  

SummerOH

I don't have to fast.  I was just advised to stay away from sweets the day of the test.  Mine is at 10am, so that's not hard.

calico61979

I was told that I didn't have to fast, but try not to eat too many carbs. My appointment is at 9:15, but they will likely draw blood at 9:30. They aren't taking my blood beforehand because I will start my drink before I go to my appointment. guess every place is different.

NoeliaV

I was told to fast, so that's what I'm doing. 

StefandTodd

I would do what YOUR doctor told YOU to do.  With my first, I was told not to fast.  I'm not taking the test this time though.

jelly0822

They didn't tell me to fast, but I failed my first test, so go figure.

However, they didn't tell me to fast the day before for my next test, just that I can't eat or drink that day or from midnight on the night before. 

kerribear1717

Seems lots of docs do this very differently.  Last time with DS I went to a real lab for all my lab work.  For GD I had to fast, nothing after midnight and they did not take my blood before.

My doc did a test on me in my first appt actually this time around but just gave me the juice and had me stick around for an hour, taking my blood afterward.  

Yes I have to have the test again next time I go in, doc didn't say to fast and they do all lab work in their office.

ilenegrace

I have GD so I can tell you fasting increases your blood sugar. You don't want your blood sugar to be already high when you take the test because you have a higher chance of failing.

On a side note of why this is confusing for people is there is a fasting blood draw with the 3 hour test. Hope this helps.

kjsmith9

I am only allowed to eat whole grain breads/crackers, cheese, eggs, etc (nothing with artificial sweeteners/sugar), and then nothing for an hour before drinking the bottle of what I'm telling myself is delicious orange soda (i'm planning to plug my nose and chug the bottle lol)

My appointment is at 8am, so I have to drink the stuff between 7:15 and 7:30... so whatever I need to eat for breakfast will have to be finished by 6:30am at the latest.  I'm SOOO glad I don't have to fast.  I eat within 5 minutes of getting up every morning - I think I would pass out! 

Desmarie13

listen to the dr that is administering the test. everyone does things differently. 

i am supposed to eat normal and then drink the drink and have nothing after i drink it. they said nothing about low carb/sugar diet the night before or morning of.

they need you to follow their directions. that is why they give them to you. if you want the honest results then i suggest you listen to what YOUR obgyn told you to do.

good luck. 

kimski

it depends on what they are testing and whether they are drawing a fasting lab as well as a post glucose lab. From talking to people I work with and firends ob;s don't all order the same "1 hour test" .  Probably leading to why it's been found to not be as reliable as a measure for GD the 3 hour with multiple draws (while more of a pain) is more accurate. I would do whatever your OB suggested as they're the ones running the test.

juliephill

No fasting required for the glucose tolerance test which is the same as the gestational diabetes test. Just don't eat something like a donut or a heavy carb meal before your test. Good luck

robyn2201

My OB told me to fast. I can't have anything 8-10 hours prior. Follow what your Dr. requested that you do.

lywedding

I just had mine last week.  My doctor told me to eat as I normally would but to avoid a sugary breakfast.  (My test was at 8:30am)  I had a half a whole wheat bagel before the test and passed.  GL!

lucysmithcm

YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY FAST FOR THE 50G TEST, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR DOCTOR OR LAB SAY. The facts are these: this screening test is designed to cast a wide net, wider than the diagnostic 100g test that follows if you fail the 50g test. By not telling women that fasting and exercise do not matter prior to the test, a wider net is cast, forcing more women to fail the test and possibly catching more cases of mild gestational diabetes. If you are diagnosed with GD, you can count on extra birth interventions and testing (blood sugar testing every 2 hours for you and your baby while in hospital), as well as less likelyhood that you will be able to do intermittent fetal monitoring (you will have the belt strapped on at all times). These, and you will be told every 1-3 years that you should probably be tested for diabetes because you once had gestational diabetes. Yes, American women don't have the best diets and a less fat baby is a good thing for everyone. However, follow the protocols that the MOST REASONABLE hospitals and labs around the world follow by fasting before the 50g test, (also no strenuous exercise a day or two before the test). The last thing you want to do is have to take the 100g test just because you barely failed the 50g test. Look up the 100g test. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that I believe women should absolutely not stand for this test. It's better to just buy some diabetic testing supplies and check your own sugar along with your doctor over a period of days than to flood your and your baby's system with the equivalent of 1.5 packages (standard size 30 cookies) of OREOS. THe main reason the 50 and 100 g tests were structured like they are is to be the most time and cost effective for the healthcare industry. Your convenience and well-being during the test, and that of your baby, are largely irrelevant. If you vomit, oh well. Come back and do it again another day. Starving because you've fasted for 12 hours, no one cares, just obey science. Feel like you just overdosed on skittles? Guess what, YOU DID. Do yourself a HUGE FAVOR. Fast before this test. About half of women do anyway. The instructions to patients are "fasting doesn't matter", not "do not fast". Again, this is most likely to cast a wider net and compel more women to sit through the diagnostic test.

*LrCg*

My provider gives me the options to take tests/procedures.  With all 4 of my pregnancies I've never taken this test.  Its wrong 50% of the time so I just don't see the reason to take it.  My provider goes over my diet with me extensively at each appointment and I've never had issues.