Anyone declining the GD test?

meg&jeff

madeline10L:

The main risk with GD is having a big baby? Umm what about preterm birth and respiratory distress on the baby, hypoglycemia in the newborn, jaundice....those are all worth mentioning as well. 

And I know a lot of offices are different, but my GD test was a piece of cake! I had to fast for 1 hour, get my blood taken, and I was out the door. 

Don't forget placental deterioration, and the possibility of stillbirth. Macrosomic baby (big baby) is not the only risk at all, though that can be a serious one especially if you are planning a home birth.

I am a 3rd time GD momma, that has the risk factors of family history and overweight, etc. But not one time in all 3 pregnancies have I ever spilled glucose in my urine. So really, that is not the most accurate way to monitor for a GD diagnosis.

In being treated for GD I was well controlled mostly through diet (only had to go on oral meds towards the end of my 2nd pregnancy). I did not face overly complicated births, in fact both of them were vaginal, the 2nd one pain-med free. And I did not face the "cascade of interventions" because of the GD treatment.

Not going to tell you what everyone else already hasn't. You've already made up your mind. It's a non-invasive test and can give you piece of mind so you can be confident that you will have a low-risk home birth. It would be my ultimate dream to have a home birth, but the GD risks me out. No home birth midwife worth her salt would take me on as client due to the GD. That's ok though, I love my CNM, and my hospital is very receptive to my med-free birth wishes.

waterfall11

Everyone has already touched on the glucose test but what about other tests that go along with it. I know at my office at least iron is checked atty the same time and is pretty important to know if you have become anemic.

Mrs. Mo

Even the healtiest eater & exerciser can get GD. The 1 hour in the lab (or even the 3 hour) is well worth it to make sure both LO & I are healthy. It's just not worth the risk.

MJHershey

Um, not a good idea. Too risky to ignore the possibility. 

bexsd

I'm taking the test. Diabetes runs in my family and my aunt had GD that stayed with her after pregnancy. I've had low blood sugar in the past, and there was sugar in my urine at one of my appointments. 

However, I do also understand people's hesitations with the treatment plans that might be suggested if tests don't go well. I asked my OB what happens if it turns out you do have it and she says you see a specialist a couple times a week, which seems pretty extreme to me. I would definitely want to monitor it and intervene if necessary, but I would definitely want to do some more research (not based on what i think can be the doctor's fear of being sued if they DON'T intervene so extremely) about how much monitoring and intervention is necessary and when.  

A37licia

bexsd:

I would definitely want to monitor it and intervene if necessary, but I would definitely want to do some more research (not based on what i think can be the doctor's fear of being sued if they DON'T intervene so extremely) about how much monitoring and intervention is necessary and when.  

Yeah, that makes sense. I know a lot of OBs (not just midwives) are cool with the home monitoring I'll be doing in the next month to watch for any red flags, in lieu of declining the test.   There are other acceptable options than the most common test, and it's up to the care provider and woman to choose what fits.

Moore29

I declined the glucose test. From what I've found though I'm a special snowflake with my situation though. I'm a STM who was GD with DD. I attempted 3 times to take the glucose drink ad all 3 times I finished the drink and within 35 minutes I threw up and blacked out. My body doesn't tolerate the drink for some unknown reason. I monitor my sugars daily though just like last pregnancy and so far I'm not GD.

tylin01

FYI...urine testing is not 100 percent. You can have fluctuations in your sugar and insulin levels throughout the day. Just because you get normal in the urine doesn't mean you didn't have a high reading at a different time. It is a spot check.