'Baby Beetus moms, please come in.

Empireceo · February 2014

I have my meeting with the condescending, overweight, smoker nurse about nutrition on Tuesday. I am going to do my best not to punch her in the face. Anyhoo, I guess I'm going to have to test my blood sugar. A friend has offered me her testing supplies she had for her last pregnancy. Is it gross to take them? There's blood-drawing, yes? That kind of skeeves me out. She said that the testing supplies can be expensive though so I'm wondering if it's worth it. I don't know why I'm picturing needle-sharing but I'm hesitant to accept. Thoughts?

talkthewholetime · February 2014

I don't know much, but I think the strips and stuff would be fine.

tjkdlhb · February 2014

I don't know what the formal recommendations would be... but I've used my mom's kits before. I think the blood just goes on the strip anyway, and you would have to use a fresh needle every time regardless.

Actually...

come to think of it...

When I did my GTT, before they gave me the drink, they used one of the machines like my mom has to test my sugars...

EDIT: because I don't always make sense...

ho11yday · February 2014

I wear gloves whenever I touch a patient's meter. Nasty where blood is, even on the cleanest one.

Now, meter and lancets are cheap (under $20 and $10 respectively). It is the strips that get you. If she has left over strips, see about getting your own meter for that one. In fact, if it is for one of the big brands (Freestyle, Accu-chek, One Touch), I know there are free meter coupons online that you just have to give your email address.

MusicATWork · February 2014

I believe you are supposed to change the little needle each time you test. I guess it depends what supples she has that she is willing to give you.

CamrynnsMommy · February 2014

Lancets and strips are separate from the kit itself (at least mine are). I'd be fine to take someone else's, I'd just clean the injector with an alcohol wipe, but otherwise I'd say it's fine.

Shell+Bell · February 2014

I'd say it would be fine if you clean it with some alcohol or something. I'm not sure what it's like in US, but in canada, I got the tester kit for free, because the money all comes from those bloody (literally) tester strips. $80+ for a pack of 100. And you don't need to replace the needle every time, just very 3-4 times, so daily really.

TaylorHam86 · February 2014

It's not gross at all. The amount of blood is minimal, and there's no needle sharing. Glucometers are so much cheaper than they used to be, as PPs mentioned, about $20, so if it really skeeves you out to take a used one, you can buy a new one without hurting your wallet. If you look really hard, you may be able to find one that comes with a few sample strips - I think walmart has a brand (ReliOn?) that comes with about 10 sample test strips. I use my own personal lancets (sticker/pricker/needle thing) several times, but definitely make sure the ones she gives you are new. I'm sure she'd make sure of that. The "lancet injectors" are made to be re-used; you just insert a new disposable lancet. I'd recommend cleaning the end of the injector before you use it.

chknma · February 2014

I would check with your insurance. For my last pregnancy my glucometer and all my supplies were 100% covered. I have new insurance this pregnancy so I'm hoping for the same. Fx!

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