FTM Ges Diabetes Test

ButterflyFem · May 2013

I'm 5'1 and very healthy and gained a lot of weight in first 20 weeks though it mostly shows in belly and breasts. I'm measuring at average though for pregnancy I'm short so it all sticks out. My midwife said it was my choice to be tested for diabetes and might want to just to be safe due to quick weight gain, but again baby is measuring normal. It feels wrong to fast, give blood and then drink a bunch of sugar...anyone skipped this? Experience? Done this and been happy???

tokenhoser · May 2013

Well, you can opt for the two hour test where you fast, get a blood draw, eat breakfast, get another blood draw. There are options aside from the orange kool aid.

Personally, I feel most comfortable being screened despite being low risk. "Being healthy" isn't a guarantee that you don't have GD. Unless you plan to proactively follow the diet and exercise advice (and I sure don't plan on giving up carbs just in case), it might be best to get screened.

ChristyML · May 2013

I had GD. While I had no complications (except for maybe a little bit bigger baby), I would not recommend skipping it. Gestational diabetes can be very bad if not treated, and if you didn't know you had it, you wouldn't be able to treat it (some women need insulin, even for GD). A few complications that can come with GD (and can be higher risk if you have GD) are placenta abruption, and pre-eclampsia, just to name two.

Does diabetes run in your family at all? My bio grandmother had it, and I'm assuming my bio mother has it since she doesn't take very good care of herself. I was one point away from having type 2 after being tested 3 months pp. I will probably get it if I don't start taking better care of myself. I know you said you're healthy, but pregnancy is weird and anyone can get GD.

oliversmommy32912 · May 2013

I did not find this test to be nearly as bad as everyone says it is. My midwife told me there was no need to fast-- just eat a high protein, low sugar breakfast and wait at least two hours before coming in for the drink. I chugged it in two seconds. It tasted like Kool-Aid. I got my blood drawn an hour later. My levels were fine. I found the test to be completely uncomplicated---certainly much less complicated than undetected gestational diabetes would have been.

Aurora_Borealis · May 2013

I would not skip the GD test. There are very few risk factors for GD so pretty much anyone can have it. Since it's something that is easily tested for and can have a major impact on the health of your baby, there's a reason it's recommended/required. The only two people I've known who've had it during their pregnancies were very healthy women otherwise.

*LrCg* · May 2013

In all my pregnancies I never took this test. Its about 50 percent accurate. If I did have it they would have you do a diet change and I already eat that way. Google Henci Goer's article on it. She has a great book called A Thinking Women's Guide to a Better Birth. It breaks down all tests and procedures and gives pros and cons for them.

tokenhoser · May 2013

*LrCg*:
In all my pregnancies I never took this test. Its about 50 percent accurate. If I did have it they would have you do a diet change and I already eat that way. Google Henci Goer's article on it. She has a great book called A Thinking Women's Guide to a Better Birth. It breaks down all tests and procedures and gives pros and cons for them.

The one-hour screen is not terribly accurate - it's just a screen so that fewer women waste 2-3 hours on the more accurate (but time consuming) actual glucose tolerance test.

Henci Goer's book is great, but I'm starting to doubt your critical reading skills.

Amanda&EricB · May 2013

P,ease don't skip this test. Your weight has very little to do with it. I personally know of at least two women who are healthy weights, eat a healthy diet, are active, etc. and they both got it. One had such severe issues with it, she was hospitalized and her baby was in danger. Completely undiagnosed/untreated could have been fatal for her baby.

Its just not worth the risk, IMO.

SarahinMD · May 2013

The test really wasn't a big deal for me at all. My midwives don't require I fast before it, just don't eat sugary stuff (like I could have eggs, plain toast. I usually just to eggs, low sugar/carb stuff. But even if they did require you fast, I would think as long as you do it first thing in the morning, no big deal. I agree that it's not super accurate--I've never known of a woman to get diagnosed with GD until after second, longer test. This is hopefully prevents you from having to do that one.

sschwege · May 2013

I am also a healthy weight and remained healthy my entire pregnancy and still took the test both times. With DS my score was really low a 69, but you know what when I'm pregnant with #3, I will still take the test again. I would rather be safe than sorry.

It's just a sugary drink, I don't see that as being a big deal. You don't have to fast before the 1 hr, just don't go on a carb/sugar binge and you will be fine. I ate right before both of my tests.

nosoup4u · May 2013

I skipped it both times. ACOG recommends pretty much all women to take it, which seems excessive considering something like 5 percent of women are actually diagnosed w GD. I think the screening process is flawed, also.

You have a right to refuse whatever you want, just make sure you're well educated about the pros and cons before you turn it down.

Haley.Beth · May 2013

There are different ways to test. When I had an OB with dd, they required that I fast, and gave me the typical glucola drink. I got extremely sick and my levels indicated hypoglycemia, and they drew 2 tubes of blood. This time, my midwife asked me NOT to fast. She instructed me to eat normally, then one hour before the test I ate 18 jelly beans. My levels were completely normal, which she checked with a simple finger prick instead of an entire tube of blood.

Ask about alternate testing methods. With my midwife's method I didn't get sick at all and never felt like I was harming myself. I think this is one of those where you're better safe than sorry. Anyone can get GD regardless of weight or background, and it can have consequences for you and the baby that are much more far-reaching than just a big baby.

ridesbuttons · May 2013

I had GD with my first. I was blindsided.

It was a blessing in disguise. It made me take control of my eating and exercise. I gained 28lbs during pregnancy, 18 of which I lost during the delivery process and the last 10 were gone by my 6 week pp exam. Babe a healthy 8lb8oz.

You do not give up carbs if you have GD. You follow a sensible diet and get exercise and if need be, take insulin shots.

Don't skip it.

sschwege · May 2013

somerandomchick:
sschwege:
I am also a healthy weight and remained healthy my entire pregnancy and still took the test both times. nbsp;With DS my score was really low a 69, but you know what when I'm pregnant with 3, I will still take the test again. nbsp;I would rather be safe than sorry.nbsp;It's just a sugary drink, I don't see that as being a big deal. nbsp;You don't have to fast before the 1 hr, just don't go on a carb/sugar binge and you will be fine. nbsp;I ate right before both of my tests. nbsp;
I think some providers do it differently, so definitely check with your doc just to make sure. Also, I'm pretty sure one of my local friends who just did a home birth tried to refuse the test but the nearby hospital said they wouldn't admit her as a patient if she didn't take it. Only an issue if something goes wrong but still a scary though. Legally if they accept Medicare funds they can only turn away a woman in labor if she or the baby are in imminent danger of dying or there's not enough time to get to another hospital. But if you need a c section but not right this second they could just say no, go somewhere else. Kind of insane, but something to consider.

They were just trying to scare your friend. If you show up to a hospital asking for care, they can not turn you away!

Nokkouttmomma · May 2013

I've always had a low blood sugar, I ate my normal breakfast Cheerios with sugar and milk, half a banana and a little juice and still passed WAY below the bar. I would have rather skipped it. I could barely choke down the drink. My mother came with me and told me that if I fail this just to opt out and don't get it done because its a wasted hour. When I passed I wish I had opted out because it was awful and sent me into a way sugar high where I almost passed out.

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