Share with me your tips for passing the GTT

MickeyM04 · February 2014

So last time with DS I did pass, but by ONE point. So I am freaking out that I will not pass this time especially because all I am eating these days are sweets...I've had a MEGA sweet tooth that I cannot control. Everyone is telling me to slow down because I'm going to give myself GD, and I'm like, OMG CAN YOU GIVE YOURSELF GD?! So if you know that to not be possible, that would be great if you could reassure me. I am thinking I should just try to avoid sweets for like 24 hours before the test so I'm at a good baseline level when I drink the icky drink but then I'm not a doctor or a scientist so that is pretty much just something I made up. Anyone who failed the one hour but passed the three hour do anything different for the three hour that you wish you had done for the one hour? I'm 7 days out now and am wondering if I should just go ZERO SUGAR (GASP!!!!) for the next week. It sounds like a horrible idea and also probably not necessary, right?

2redtulips · February 2014

Honestly, I think you should just eat what you've been eating and follow the doctor's instructions that day. If you DO have GD, you need to know it. It can be serious, so that's why the doctors check for it.

If you don't have it, then you're golden.

I'm sorry it's stressing you out. Keep breathing!

2redtulips · February 2014

Here's some good background info on GD:

https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html

(Mods - is it ok to post links??)

springbeduk2 · February 2014

Well ... I only have the one experience, but was freaking out in anticipation (you might have been one of the nice people that posted on my freak-out thread a few weeks ago) and just found out this morning that I passed (woo-hoo!!!). I have no idea if what I did helped or not, but here it is, in case ...

1) I did have sweets within 24 hours because I had a meeting/workshop the night before at which they served whoopie pies and I just could not resist. I ate normally the other days the week before the test too.

2) Did not have any sweets the actual day of the test, though (test was at 4PM)

3) I tried to pick a lunch that didn't have many simple carbs (had a Kashi frozen meal - chicken with a whole-grain pilaf)

4) About an hour before the test ... maybe even more like 45 or 30 minutes by the time I ate the last thing (this was all eating while driving)... I ate a string cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and some high-fiber Wasa (crisp-bread - its' in the cracker aisle or maybe health food section depending on the store) and a little celery. I was hoping the protein and the fiber would balance out the sugar both to pass the test and also to make me not feel sick because while I love my sweets, I hate sugary drinks and sugar on an empty stomach always makes me feel crappy. So really I never have sugar on an empty stomach and this was only a slight exaggeration of how I'd normally eat before having something really sugary.

Good luck!

ksulli · February 2014

I had an ice cream Sunday about 3 hours before... Still passed.

I had one at 9AM and my OB just said don't have a surgery breakfast and skip the OJ. I think sticking with your regular diet and then keeping an eye on the sugars day of is probably good- you don't want to 'fake' pass it and then be undiagnosed. My understanding is that while GD can often be controlled with diet, it can't be caused by it.

porterlove525 · February 2014

I had my normal diet before my 1-hour and was told to fast that morning, my test was at 7am. I failed by over 20 points and eat a primarily Paleo (almost no carb) diet.

I didn't change anything other than making sure I ate carbs (150-200g) each day for 3 days, per my doc's advice (WAY more carbs than I've ever consumed in one day!), before the 3-hour test. I avoided sweets for those days and had to fast for 12-hours and passed with flying colors. Unless your doc tells you to modify anything I would just do your norm and avoid having a bagel and oj for breakfast the day or the test. Protein is your friend when it comes to balancing sugars. Good luck!!!

Avion22 · February 2014

Follow your doctor's directions. I was told to "eat normally" and was specifically told not to fast before the test. I did it at about 10-11am, after a relatively unhealthy breakfast (sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit from BK, and water). Passed just fine.

I agree that if you have GD, then you want them to figure this out. There's no point in trying to trick the test so you pass it. I know it sucks, but it's not the end of the world if you fail the 1-hour and have to take the 3-hour. Pain in the butt, yes. But better than going through the rest of your pregnancy with undiagnosed GD.

chknma · February 2014

I agree to check with your provider about any specific recommendations. Mine recommends a balanced meal of protein and carbs. I always do mine in the morning and had eggs with a piece of whole wheat toast. I "failed" by 3 points and will review the results with my MW on Friday at my prescheduled appointment. I do have a history of GD however and have been modifying my diet accordingly.

Although I am not a medical provider, I don't think there is any way to prepare other then following what ever instructions you were given. The one hour test is not diagnostic, which means that even if you don't "pass" it doesn't mean you have GD. That is why there are the 2 and 3 hour tests. Lots of women have to do the second round of testing and do not have GD. If you do have GD then you'll want to know. It is manageable for a lot of women just through eating a healthy diet and exercise. Knowing is good for you and baby and can help avoid complications.

Good Luck! Try not to stress because having GD isn't a mother's fault. It's a result of how the placenta and hormones impact the processing of insulin.

MickeyM04 · February 2014

Thanks so much ladies. My provider didn't give me any instructions other than don't eat for an hour before the test. But I figured it would probably be stupid to have a cinnamon roll the morning of the test (my test is at 11am). I actually didn't know all the protein related tips so thank you for that!

I think I really am just stressed that I can somehow give myself GD. When I was pregnant with DS I ate sweets non-stop and I barely passed. And that's sort of how the last month has been and I was worried I was going to set myself over the edge this time, but it sounds like it's out of my hands. Thanks again!

angelsnight · February 2014

You cannot "give" yourself GD. Yeah you can have risk factors that are under your control that can contribute to it (such as being over weight) but eating sweets or not eating sweet 24 hours prior will not make you pass or fail either way. If you have it, you'll fail, if not you'll pass.

Besides, you wouldn't want to do anything to falsely pass it anyway, if you have it you'd want to know so you can control it. Uncontrolled GD can be very dangerous for the baby.

The test does not measure the amount of sugar in your system, but how your body reacts to it. So just eat as your normally would, follow your doctors orders and don't freak out until you have a reason to. I'll admit, GD can be very tough and I've had many breakdowns over it.....I was diagnosed early at 14 weeks, and now at almost 35 weeks I am over it and cannot wait for it to be done (in regards to the GD). But the diet isn't always that bad, and it's definitely been a blessing in terms of weight gain, I've got 5 weeks to go and I still haven't gained a single pound. I know I would not have been able to eat so well had it not been for the GD.

amwangel · February 2014

I had to take the 3 hour. I didn't do anything differently but I passed. I didn't avoid sugar or anything. For the 1 hour, I didn't know it was coming and had a pretty crappy sugary breakfast - I'll probably just have eggs or PB toast this time instead!

I agree that you shouldn't try to game the test too much - better to know if you really have it and if it's a danger to your baby! Same with the GBS test.

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