Is your Glucose test optional?

MrsBraun · February 2010

Seems like everyone gets them on here, so I was wondering if you have a choice as to whether or not you get it done? I had a MW appt yesterday and she gave me all the facts then asked me whether or not I wanted to get it...I'm leaning towards no since I don't have any risk factors, I have a healthy diet and I'm exercising...

So, is it your choice, or is it mandated by your doc/MW?

rlscheck · February 2010

You can say no to any test / procedure / med that you want to. While doctors highly recommend it, they cannot force anything upon you.

wearenutts · February 2010

It's not optional for me lol. I actually have to get an early one tomorrow (along with the one 24-28 weeks) . I'm only 13 weeks but I'm hypoglycemic. I have had a real hard time keeping my blood sugar stable.

ColieJ · February 2010

Yes, you can refuse but just to be clear. GD is not about exercise or how much you weigh. In some people pregnancy starts to affect the way you process sugar. Now if you already have a diet that is low in sugar (even natural sugar from fruit) and you choose whole grain over white carbs etc... then that is what they would have you do on a GD diet anyway. However, I just don't want people to think GD only happens to people who are unhealthy, eat bad, or don't exercise.

StephanieDM · February 2010

ColieJ:
Yes, you can refuse but just to be clear. GD is not about exercise or how much you weigh. In some people pregnancy starts to affect the way you process sugar. Now if you already have a diet that is low in sugar (even natural sugar from fruit) and you choose whole grain over white carbs etc... then that is what they would have you do on a GD diet anyway. However, I just don't want people to think GD only happens to people who are unhealthy, eat bad, or don't exercise.

This exactly! GD can happen to anyone. And wouldn't you want to know so you and baby aren't at risk for complications? I wasn't under the impression that the glucose test was considered one of the "optional tests". Of course, you can always refuse any test that you want but I'm pretty sure the glucose test is one that's considered routine.

FWIW, I was seeing a midwife and just switched practices and both my MW and new doctor didn't say it was one of the "optional" ones.

MrsBraun · February 2010

StephanieDM:

ColieJ:
Yes, you can refuse but just to be clear. GD is not about exercise or how much you weigh. In some people pregnancy starts to affect the way you process sugar. Now if you already have a diet that is low in sugar (even natural sugar from fruit) and you choose whole grain over white carbs etc... then that is what they would have you do on a GD diet anyway. However, I just don't want people to think GD only happens to people who are unhealthy, eat bad, or don't exercise.

This exactly! GD can happen to anyone. And wouldn't you want to know so you and baby aren't at risk for complications? I wasn't under the impression that the glucose test was considered one of the "optional tests". Of course, you can always refuse any test that you want but I'm pretty sure the glucose test is one that's considered routine.

FWIW, I was seeing a midwife and just switched practices and both my MW and new doctor didn't say it was one of the "optional" ones.

Yes, I'm sorry - I should have made it more clear that I am aware that GD can happen to anyone..

When talking to the MW she explained that we have gone through cycles with the GD testing - optional, not optional, etc. Even when the test was not optional it did not effect outcomes for mothers or babies since by time you realize what is happening (by about 30 weeks or so in my case), then 8 weeks of a healthy diet isn't going to change all that much.

I've more so based my decision on diet - like PP said, eating low-sugar, healthy foods are the GD diet anyhow, and luckily I'm not having an issue with that so I just don't see the point of going through the testing...

Stephanie2167 · February 2010

MrsBraun:
StephanieDM:

ColieJ:
Yes, you can refuse but just to be clear. GD is not about exercise or how much you weigh. In some people pregnancy starts to affect the way you process sugar. Now if you already have a diet that is low in sugar (even natural sugar from fruit) and you choose whole grain over white carbs etc... then that is what they would have you do on a GD diet anyway. However, I just don't want people to think GD only happens to people who are unhealthy, eat bad, or don't exercise.

This exactly! GD can happen to anyone. And wouldn't you want to know so you and baby aren't at risk for complications? I wasn't under the impression that the glucose test was considered one of the "optional tests". Of course, you can always refuse any test that you want but I'm pretty sure the glucose test is one that's considered routine.

FWIW, I was seeing a midwife and just switched practices and both my MW and new doctor didn't say it was one of the "optional" ones.

Yes, I'm sorry - I should have made it more clear that I am aware that GD can happen to anyone..

When talking to the MW she explained that we have gone through cycles with the GD testing - optional, not optional, etc. Even when the test was not optional it did not effect outcomes for mothers or babies since by time you realize what is happening (by about 30 weeks or so in my case), then 8 weeks of a healthy diet isn't going to change all that much.

I've more so based my decision on diet - like PP said, eating low-sugar, healthy foods are the GD diet anyhow, and luckily I'm not having an issue with that so I just don't see the point of going through the testing...

I disagree with this. If testing at 26-28 weeks was too l;ate to do anything then why wouldn't they just test everyone earlier? My sister had GD and because of that I was tested at 8 weeks and failed, then passed the three hour test. I am taking the 1 hour test again at my next appt. to double check that I don't have it.

doremi29 · February 2010

All of that being said (and while I say this, I totally think everyone should probably just get tested to be on the safe side), there are some risk factors that they find in woman who have GD:

African or Hispanic ancestry
Being older than 25 when pregnant
Family history of diabetes
Giving birth to a previous baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
Obesity
Recurrent infections
Unexplained miscarriage or death of a newborn

My doctor has been putting off my test because I had bad m/s and she was afraid I might not be able to keep the drink down. She felt that it wouldn't be a problem to push my test until 28 weeks because she didn't feel that I would *most likely* be at risk.

ColieJ · February 2010

doremi29:

All of that being said (and while I say this, I totally think everyone should probably just get tested to be on the safe side), there are some risk factors that they find in woman who have GD:

African or Hispanic ancestry
Being older than 25 when pregnant
Family history of diabetes
Giving birth to a previous baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
Obesity
Recurrent infections
Unexplained miscarriage or death of a newborn
My doctor has been putting off my test because I had bad m/s and she was afraid I might not be able to keep the drink down. She felt that it wouldn't be a problem to push my test until 28 weeks because she didn't feel that I would *most likely* be at risk.

And I meet 5 of your 7 criteria and that is why I had to get tested so early.

Although family history of GD seems to be another one as well.

StephanieDM · February 2010

Stephanie2167:
MrsBraun:
StephanieDM:

ColieJ:
Yes, you can refuse but just to be clear. GD is not about exercise or how much you weigh. In some people pregnancy starts to affect the way you process sugar. Now if you already have a diet that is low in sugar (even natural sugar from fruit) and you choose whole grain over white carbs etc... then that is what they would have you do on a GD diet anyway. However, I just don't want people to think GD only happens to people who are unhealthy, eat bad, or don't exercise.

This exactly! GD can happen to anyone. And wouldn't you want to know so you and baby aren't at risk for complications? I wasn't under the impression that the glucose test was considered one of the "optional tests". Of course, you can always refuse any test that you want but I'm pretty sure the glucose test is one that's considered routine.

FWIW, I was seeing a midwife and just switched practices and both my MW and new doctor didn't say it was one of the "optional" ones.

Yes, I'm sorry - I should have made it more clear that I am aware that GD can happen to anyone..

When talking to the MW she explained that we have gone through cycles with the GD testing - optional, not optional, etc. Even when the test was not optional it did not effect outcomes for mothers or babies since by time you realize what is happening (by about 30 weeks or so in my case), then 8 weeks of a healthy diet isn't going to change all that much.

I've more so based my decision on diet - like PP said, eating low-sugar, healthy foods are the GD diet anyhow, and luckily I'm not having an issue with that so I just don't see the point of going through the testing...

I disagree with this. If testing at 26-28 weeks was too l;ate to do anything then why wouldn't they just test everyone earlier? My sister had GD and because of that I was tested at 8 weeks and failed, then passed the three hour test. I am taking the 1 hour test again at my next appt. to double check that I don't have it.

I disagree as well. First, most doctors test you around 24-28 weeks. So you'd still have 12-16 weeks (+/-) during which dieting and careful monitoring of your blood sugar can help. Some GD patients need insulin as well. If you had GD and didn't take all the precautions at that point, your baby can get very big which would pose a problem for LO and yourself.

I understand you eat well but you never know. Its not unheard of. And, personally, with a test that's so easy and doesn't pose any risks I don't really see a point in refusing to take it. I'd be really disappointed in myself if there were complications that a simple test would have helped me be aware of. I think its unwise to refuse testing but to each their own.

JillAly · February 2010

Please get the test done. It is nothing- a blood draw and drinking something. What could happen if you don't get it? The answer is you end up with a child like mine. I had the test- something obviously went wrong despite my passing the test. My son was born with GD issues- it's one of the reasons they monitor you when you have GD- so your child doesn't end up like mine.

As a result of my son being born with glucose issues, he spent 4 days in the NICU unit. Every day he had his heel pricked several times throughout the day to get a blood sample to check his sugar level. He would cry and try to move his foot away. It was heartbreaking to watch. I can't imagine any mom letting their child go through that just because they didn't want to take a glucose test. Not to mention the thousands of dollars it cost me because most of it wasn't covered by insurance.

So please just take the hour and get the test!

preppynewlywed · February 2010

I am incredibly healthy. I'm a runner, eat very well, and was more than healthy before pregnancy.

That said, I am still doing it.

GD is genetic. You could be the healthiest person in the world and still have it. There is actually a famous ultramarathon runner who had it.

ses1199 · February 2010

It really is a simple test. I failed the one hour and had to take the three hour and it was not bad at all. I brought a good book and read for three hours. I would just do it so you don't risk having it and not finding out.

MrsBraun · February 2010

Definitely valid opinions...I don't have to make a firm decision yet so I might talk it over with MW a bit more, or decide to get it afterall. I appreciate both sides of the argument though!

Qmommy · February 2010

The test is so easy, why turn it down? I actually thought part of it was fun! The part where my baby went on a sugar high and tried to make an escape through my belly button, sides, and just all over! I was totally entertained the entire hour I had to wait.

Also, remember that GD can be asymptomatic.

broncoalum97 · February 2010

MrsBraun:
Definitely valid opinions...I don't have to make a firm decision yet so I might talk it over with MW a bit more, or decide to get it afterall. I appreciate both sides of the argument though!

can I just ask why you wouldn't want to do it? Is it the drink that might not taste the best, but isn't the worst thing out there? Is it waiting the hr.? Just curious

That said, I don't see why not, it's a simple 1 hr test, blood drawn....I'd rather have it treatable before the baby is born then after.....

Doesn't matter how you eat/exercise etc....a woman's body totally changes during pregnancy, no matter how fit you are...my friend ate totally healthy & still had bad preclampsia at the end.....she was surprised, she thought it wouldn't happen to her...

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