Failed my 1 hour... what to expect for 3 hour GTT?

sgio7485 · October 2014

Well, I failed the 1 hour GTT and I'm going to the crazy place of everything being wrong. I have to take the 3 hour GTT on Tuesday morning. My 1 hour was at 4:30 in the afternoon after me (obviously) needing something to eat that day. I'm super, super nervous and my mind is not going to a happy place right now. Anyone been in this boat? What can I expect at the 3 hour test?

NoeliaV · October 2014

I failed my 1 hr, and took the 3 hr with my pregnancy with DD.

I had the first available appointment of the day. They did a blood draw first, and then they had me drink the solution there (with the 1 hr, I drank it at home and then came in for the draw). I had the lemon lime which was a lot more tolerable than the fruit punch I had for the 1 hr. Then, I sat in the waiting room reading my magazines (take a few) until the 1 hr draw, then the 2 and the 3.

I had packed some high protein snacks and ate a few immediately after the final blood draw. I also took the day off from work because the 1 hr test left me feeling rather crappy for about 48 hours.

Good luck

E&B0811 · October 2014

@carlsonbaby2014‌ may have some insight!

carlsonbaby2014 · October 2014

Yep! I had to take the 3 hour test as well. I did not pass it because my 2 hour draw was elevated, but that's a different issue. Many, many women don't pass the 1 hour but pass the 3 hour. The process is exactly as @mmheartspb laid out: you come in after fasting for 10-12 hours and they take a fasting level draw, give you the glucose drink, then take your blood at the 1 hour, 2 hour, and 3 hour marks. Then you go to your car and have a massive meal because you're starving!

If you don't pass the 3 hour, don't freak out - managing through diet and exercise is totally doable and if it helps to ask questions let me know and I can do my best to share what I know and what has been working for me.

Good luck!!

ETA: during the "down time" between blood draws, I made thank you cards and read up on celebrity gossip. It really wasn't that bad. I definitely echo PP's suggestion to drink a TON of water so that they have an easier time finding your veins.

KMW08 · October 2014

Definitely bring something to do.

They'll draw a fasting level, then have you drink the glucola. They'll draw your blood 3 more times at hour intervals.

After 2hrs I started feeling really crappy & tired. When I was finished I got something to eat immediately, I was so hungry. If poss keep some snacks in your car to have on hand when you're done.

I failed and have GD. It's really not as bad as I was expecting it to be.

chicagojackie · October 2014

So the 1 hour test is for screening, meaning that the test errs on the side of false positives (so we don't miss anyone who has gestational diabetes). You should not assume based on this screening test that you have gestational diabetes.

The 3 hour is a diagnostic test, meaning it is more sensitive, and that it has very FEW false positives (so we don't tell someone that is healthy that she has gestational diabetes). This is why it is not uncommon to hear from other moms that they "failed" the 1 hour but were "fine" on the 3 hour. The 3 hour is the real diagnostic test.

Why don't we just start with the 3 hour then, you ask? Well because it is 3 hours and involves more blood draws and is more expensive.

Hugs and love to you sweetie. Don't count yourself diabetic yet.

If you are, pull up a diabetic seat next to me. I've had diabetes for years. So I don't have to take the test...I'd "fail" both, haha.

Samuelismomma · October 2014

Sorry hope the 3 hr goes great! I go Monday for 1 hr..worried:(

Drgn30 · October 2014

i failed my one hour too. the three hour wasn't so bad. i just brought some work to do. ultimately, i passed. but now baby is getting a little too big so i have to cut out simple sugars

KikiCohen · October 2014

As others have said, they took my blood as soon as I got there (early in the AM). Then you drink the drink. It's a little more sugary than the 1 hour if I remember correctly. Then they draw your blood at 1, 2, and 3 hours. Definitely take a book, ipad, etc to help pass the time. I was starving by the time it was over, so packing a snack might be a good idea. I was allowed to sip water.

chicagojackie · October 2014

@drgn30 but your uterus is cute. that must count for something.

mpiemont · October 2014

With my first pregnancy I failed 1hr and passed 3hr "with flying colors". The 1 hr is a screening tool that is meant to pick up anyone who's even close to being at risk, so you could very well have no problem passing the 3 hour. I did my 3 hour first thing in the morning and I think I didn't have anything to eat/drink besides the glucose drink. It was rough, but I didn't want to skew it at all. I stayed at the dr's office and read a book to kill time. The only "bad" part was getting 4 blood draws in one morning. Good luck!!!

ToriGirl2014 · October 2014

I failed the 1 hour and the 3 hour for this pregnancy.

Like the others have already covered, you have to fast at least 10-12 hours (whatever your doc tells you), then it's four draws - fasting, 1, 2 and 3 hours. The lab tech told me that it makes a lot of women queasy and most women who get sick from it get sick in the second hour, perhaps because that's when you get a dramatic drop in blood sugar.

I had the fruit punch drink. Felt queasy here and there, and really tired during the last hour, but did not get sick. Was glad I took the day off work, however, because I felt completely drained by the time I got home.

I have GD and my risk factor was family history of diabetes, and PCOS for me. I just started the GD diet including monitoring glucose and so far it's pretty manageable.

dianeg1017 · October 2014

Same here failed 1 hr passed 3hr. You will chug twice as much of that great orange glucose. And sit starving for a few hours. I recommend going as early as possible to make sure you don't eat anything before hand. Good luck

Junebug060609 · October 2014

Lurking from PAL

I had GD with DD and got to do the 3 hr.

*Start it as early as possible in the morning
*No food or drinks besides water for at least eight hours prior to the start of the test (most docs just tell you midnight).
*Bring a snack to eat as soon as you finish. You'll likely be famished, you'll possibly be dealing with a blood sugar crash. Also bring something to read or a well charged phone.
*The other ladies covered the blood draws.

GL! Even if you end up with it, its not the endof the world. The finger pricks suck, as does insulin if you're lucky like me, but it's temporary and for a helluva good cause. Andplusalso, it really keeps weight gain in check.

sgio7485 · October 2014

Thanks ladies. You made me feel so much better. I'm still super nervous and the 1 hour test made me feel awful for at least a day so I'm not looking forward to it

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Failed my 1 hour... what to expect for 3 hour GTT?

Re: Failed my 1 hour... what to expect for 3 hour GTT?

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

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Want a personalized experience?

Failed my 1 hour... what to expect for 3 hour GTT?

Re: Failed my 1 hour... what to expect for 3 hour GTT?

Began trying for a baby January 2012BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

Choose Another Board

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Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014