Anyone not doing 1or 3 hr Glucosetest?

chpswife · August 2012

My dr decided today to just draw my blood at next appt for hemoglobin test instead of doing traditional glucose test. This was because our blood draw place is not open on weekends and I work 45 min away with no other real option....just curious who else is doing it too.....also I'm having a good pregnancy as I did with DD so he doesn't have any concerns

chpswife · August 2012

I should add he doesn't want me to fast that long either .....6hours I think? Which it would have been longer in my case because of the drive his real reason I think for him choosing the blood draw

pb_bride · August 2012

I don't get it. It's not that hard to do the 1hr GTT.

At my OB office, I was given the Glucose drink (in a plastic bottle) plus instructions at my 24w appt. Instructions:

1) NO NEED to fast

2) Drink the glucose drink 1 hour before your (28w) appt; no food or water after the drink. Show up to the office 15 mins before your appt.

Basically, for my 28w appt, I took the drink at home at 9:30a, then drove to my 10:30a appt. They called me in at exactly 10:30a to draw my blood. It was NBD and just like any other regular OB appt; I didn't have to wait around or anything....

WVUPetunia · August 2012

pb_bride:
I don't get it. It's not that hard to do the 1hr GTT.

At my OB office, I was given the Glucose drink (in a plastic bottle) plus instructions at my 24w appt. Instructions:

1) NO NEED to fast

2) Drink the glucose drink 1 hour before your (28w) appt; no food or water after the drink. Show up to the office 15 mins before your appt.

This is exactly how I'm supposed to do it.

jillc2010 · August 2012

My midwifery clinic/ midwife doesn't require the glucose test unless they find sugar in your urine. Which I was thrilled with since I almost passed out in the chair doing the test with DD.

wed2be · August 2012

pb_bride:

I don't get it. It's not that hard to do the 1hr GTT.

At my OB office, I was given the Glucose drink (in a plastic bottle) plus instructions at my 24w appt. Instructions:

1) NO NEED to fast

2) Drink the glucose drink 1 hour before your (28w) appt; no food or water after the drink. Show up to the office 15 mins before your appt.

Basically, for my 28w appt, I took the drink at home at 9:30a, then drove to my 10:30a appt. They called me in at exactly 10:30a to draw my blood. It was NBD and just like any other regular OB appt; I didn't have to wait around or anything....

Wow I wish mine was that simple! I have to fast the night before, arrive at 7:15 to the lab, get blood drawn, drink the drink, blood drawn again after 1 hour, sit another hour, then get the blood drawn again. It is a total of two hours and three blood draws. I am not looking forward to it at all!

chpswife · August 2012

pb_bride:
I don't get it. It's not that hard to do the 1hr GTT.

At my OB office, I was given the Glucose drink (in a plastic bottle) plus instructions at my 24w appt. Instructions:

1) NO NEED to fast

2) Drink the glucose drink 1 hour before your (28w) appt; no food or water after the drink. Show up to the office 15 mins before your appt.

Basically, for my 28w appt, I took the drink at home at 9:30a, then drove to my 10:30a appt. They called me in at exactly 10:30a to draw my blood. It was NBD and just like any other regular OB appt; I didn't have to wait around or anything....

I did this way with DD....this time they required the fasting 6 hours prior to blood draw....doc didn't want to do that. I work M-F and the lab closes at an early time so my 45 min drive i wouldn't make it

saywhut82 · August 2012

jillc2010:
My midwifery clinic/ midwife doesn't require the glucose test unless they find sugar in your urine. Which I was thrilled with since I almost passed out in the chair doing the test with DD.

First of all you rock...we share the same due date. And secondly, you are so lucky you didn't have to have the glucose test...the stuff tastes awful.

As for me, I wasn't told to fast. I arrived at my doctors appointment, drank the nasty orange stuff, waited an hour and had my blood drawn. I got the results back the next day and I passed. Thank goodness.

BarooGirl · August 2012

ICarriedAWatermelon:
FYI, I had a normal hemoglobin A1C (4.8), I have gained only 12 lbs total at 28 weeks, I'm a marathoner, I've had an easy pregnancy.... and I have gestational diabetes. I would get the test. It's nothing to just ignore or assume you don't have. I mean obviously your doctor knows you, but I'm surprised.

Yes

GD is not something you would want to mess around with, or not know about.

Also, the drink is gross- but really? it's not that bad and it is like 6-8oz, not going to kill ya.

HAFranklin · August 2012

jillc2010:
My midwifery clinic/ midwife doesn't require the glucose test unless they find sugar in your urine. Which I was thrilled with since I almost passed out in the chair doing the test with DD.

FWIW, I have not had any sugar show up in my urine, but I have gestational diabetes. A pretty severe case at that. It is, so far, diet, med, and insulin resistant. I have had a glorious pregnancy otherwise, have no history of diabetes, and am actually down 5 lbs from my pre-pg weight.

I don't see why it is a big deal to take the drink.

HAFranklin · August 2012

jillc2010:
My midwifery clinic/ midwife doesn't require the glucose test unless they find sugar in your urine. Which I was thrilled with since I almost passed out in the chair doing the test with DD.

FWIW, I have not had any sugar show up in my urine, but I have gestational diabetes. A pretty severe case at that. It is, so far, diet, med, and insulin resistant. I have had a glorious pregnancy otherwise, have no history of diabetes, and am actually down 5 lbs from my pre-pg weight.

I don't see why it is a big deal to take the drink.

Sprite2012 · August 2012

You are lucky. There are actually many ways to test for GD. Most of our doctors offices choose the easy, cheap route ("glucola" drink), the one that most insurance companies prefer. It is by no means the best or only option.

I have seriously considered opting out of this test - and mainly because THE REST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T DO IT. If they do anything, they do a blood test. Our women are no different or unique than the rest of the world, and in fact, we have the worst infant/mother mortality rate of any developed country. The other reason I've considered opting out is, if you do your research, you'll find out why many, many women fail the 1 hour test and don't have GD. The parameters are sketchy and unclear, making it super easy to fail. Why on earth would anyone take those test results so seriously with such questionable outcomes, I will never know. Conformity, I guess.

On the other hand, I've heard the glucola test isn't that big of a deal. I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward the "why the heck not?" side. I have an appointment this morning where I'm sure we'll talk more about it.

amydawn09 · August 2012

This is my 4th pregnancy, and I've never had the test. I have planned homebirths with midwives (certified and trained, but they don't do a glucose test except in cases where there are symptoms).

LittleLocks · August 2012

I'm going for my 2nd time soon. I did the first at the beginning of this pregnancy and I passed. Dr said they always do it at around 28 weeks or so.. so I'm going again soon. As for the drink.. I didn't find it that bad. It's not like you have to drink a massive amount. I'd rather do it than just ASSUME everything is ok when it's not. Why risk it?

WannaBMommy81 · August 2012

Sprite2012:
You are lucky. There are actually many ways to test for GD. Most of our doctors offices choose the easy, cheap route ("glucola" drink), the one that most insurance companies prefer. It is by no means the best or only option.
I have seriously considered opting out of this test - and mainly because THE REST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T DO IT. If they do anything, they do a blood test. Our women are no different or unique than the rest of the world, and in fact, we have the worst infant/mother mortality rate of any developed country. The other reason I've considered opting out is, if you do your research, you'll find out why many, many women fail the 1 hour test and don't have GD. The parameters are sketchy and unclear, making it super easy to fail. Why on earth would anyone take those test results so seriously with such questionable outcomes, I will never know. Conformity, I guess.
On the other hand, I've heard the glucola test isn't that big of a deal. I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward the "why the heck not?" side. I have an appointment this morning where I'm sure we'll talk more about it.

The one hour test isn't for a diagnosis. It is just a screening to see if you should take the 3 hr test. That is the test to be taken seriously.

dicer2 · August 2012

With DS, I borderline passed the 3 hour test. My doctor sent me to a diabetes center to be treated anyway. Thank goodness because I ended up on insulin toward the end. It could have been very dangerous for my baby if my GD had been left undiagnosed and untreated. I also had no risk factors besides my age.

As someone who has undergone IVF to have a baby with huge amounts of bloodwork, internal exams, meds, tests, procedures, and 10 weeks of my DH giving me shots in my butt, I guess I can't understand why anyone complains about one test with one blood draw. It's my personal pet peeve!

myatala · August 2012

My midwives don't require the glucose screening, but strongly recommend it so we have the results on file in the event we transfer to a hospital for delivery -- and of course in the event I don't pass the screening, we'll follow up with the 3-hour glucose tolerance test and then go from there. Our baby was measuring in the 90th percentile for size at our anatomy scan, too, so if that were due to not-yet-diagnosed GD we want to know for peace of mind.

If your doctor isn't concerned, and isn't recommending the screening or tolerance tests for you, then hopefully all is well.

btudorica197 · August 2012

I am going to do it because I don't want to have any complications just in case. I hate giving blood just as much as the next, but I know it could benefit my little peanut in the long run. Also, I found a place that will just do a finger prick for me, so that's a great option! I figure what's the harm in drinking a 6-8 oz. drink? If it keeps my pumpkin safe, that's all that matters!

But I DO understand the points that the moms who don't want to do it. Just my opinion.

Good luck!

benoitfan · August 2012

wed2be:
pb_bride:

I don't get it. It's not that hard to do the 1hr GTT.

At my OB office, I was given the Glucose drink (in a plastic bottle) plus instructions at my 24w appt. Instructions:

1) NO NEED to fast

2) Drink the glucose drink 1 hour before your (28w) appt; no food or water after the drink. Show up to the office 15 mins before your appt.

Basically, for my 28w appt, I took the drink at home at 9:30a, then drove to my 10:30a appt. They called me in at exactly 10:30a to draw my blood. It was NBD and just like any other regular OB appt; I didn't have to wait around or anything....

Wow I wish mine was that simple! I have to fast the night before, arrive at 7:15 to the lab, get blood drawn, drink the drink, blood drawn again after 1 hour, sit another hour, then get the blood drawn again. It is a total of two hours and three blood draws. I am not looking forward to it at all!

That's the 2hr GTT. Some docs find they get too many false positives with the 1hr, and send too many patients for 3hr GTTs, so they split the difference and do the 2hr. If you fail the 2hr most believe you will fail the 3hr, so they don't bother with it.

Here, for the 1hr GTT, you get a requisition from your doc anywhere between 24-28w. My doc likes the test done around 26w. You go to the lab of your choice anytime during their hours (7am to 5pm and Sat ams - some places even allow you to book appts). They provide the drink and you have to drink it in 5 mins. You wait 1 hr and they do the blood draw. My doc says DO NOT FAST, but eat normally on the day of the test. I have my test scheduled for next week, I'll be 25w6d.

benoitfan · August 2012

chpswife:
My dr decided today to just draw my blood at next appt for hemoglobin test instead of doing traditional glucose test. This was because our blood draw place is not open on weekends and I work 45 min away with no other real option....just curious who else is doing it too.....also I'm having a good pregnancy as I did with DD so he doesn't have any concerns

I have no idea what testing hemoglobin has to do with blood sugar the the possibility of GD. Do you mean Hemoglobin A1C? There's a big difference. A1C measures the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time. I would think unless you have a pre-pg A1C number to compare too, the test is kind of useless in determining if your results are elevated due to pg.

I'd think that doing a urine dip at each appt for sugar/protein would give your doc a starting point and let him know if you NEED to have the GTT. Personally, I would find a way to get the GTT done, take a morning off work, call in sick, whatever. Even with your 45min drive, it's a 1/2 day for peace of mind. Not judging, just trying to give some perspective.

ang345 · August 2012

I am on my fourth pregnancy and did the 1 hr test with all four. The first two times I passed but just barely and the Dr. recommended still following a diabetes diet, which I did. My third pregnancy I failed the 1 hour test by 1 point and had to do the 3 hour test which I also failed. I was able to control my GD with diet and exercise. But all three of my babies had low blood sugar at birth. They all had to be given formula and required to stay an extra day in the hospital, with blood sugar checks every four hours.

I just did my 1 hr test with this pregnancy and I know I failed, my husband is a type 1 diabetic and I sometimes use his meter to check my blood sugar. I am hoping to opt out of the 3 hr test and just be treated for GD.

Sprite2012 · August 2012

ICarriedAWatermelon:
Sprite2012:
You are lucky. There are actually many ways to test for GD. Most of our doctors offices choose the easy, cheap route ("glucola" drink), the one that most insurance companies prefer. It is by no means the best or only option.
I have seriously considered opting out of this test - and mainly because THE REST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T DO IT. If they do anything, they do a blood test. Our women are no different or unique than the rest of the world, and in fact, we have the worst infant/mother mortality rate of any developed country. The other reason I've considered opting out is, if you do your research, you'll find out why many, many women fail the 1 hour test and don't have GD. The parameters are sketchy and unclear, making it super easy to fail. Why on earth would anyone take those test results so seriously with such questionable outcomes, I will never know. Conformity, I guess.
On the other hand, I've heard the glucola test isn't that big of a deal. I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward the "why the heck not?" side. I have an appointment this morning where I'm sure we'll talk more about it.
1. Other countries do do it. (Yes, I said do do.)
2. The glucola test IS a blood test.
3. The glucola test is a SCREENING test. This weeds out those who would not need to do the confirmatory 3 hour GTT.
4. We do not have the highest infant mortality rate of any developed country. That title goes to Hungary.
5. If we did, it would not likely be because of the glucola/GTT. And I'd be willing to be that those that refuse this test, end up with disproportionally large babies unwittingly, and then end up with c-sections and infants with hypoglycemia after birth would then be quick to blame "the system."

Hmmm....not sure where you got your info.

1. I've lived in 12 different countries, 7 of them first world. The US is the ONLY country, to my knowledge, who performs this test as a standard practice in every single pregnancy (with exception of Canada).

2. I never said the glucola test wasn't a blood test.

3. I never said the glucola test wasn't a screening test. I'm not sure what else it would be.

4. Might want to check your resources on that one. I lived in Budapest for 3 years and my roommate was an obstetrician.

5. I never said mothers and babies die because of gestational diabetes in the US. My comment about mortality was to make a point that our maternity care is NOT the best and only way to do anything.

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Anyone not doing 1or 3 hr Glucosetest?

Re: Anyone not doing 1or 3 hr Glucosetest?

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