Is everyone having a gestational diabetes test?

[chicken]

I'm due to have my glucose test for gestational diabates next weekend, and was just wondering whether everyone else was doing this too?

[hayles07]

You know what, to be honest... My doctor hasn't even mentioned it yet.... I'm going back to see my GP on the 28th of April, just before I'm 24 weeks so I guess I'll ask about it then........

[mum2girls]

Im booked in for it in two weeks. I think i had sugar in my last urine test at last antenatal appt, otherwise i probably wouldnt worry about having it.

[MammyMammy]

i know i'm having one - havent got a clue when. what week are you at? i think its done at 28 or is it 24 weeks?

Is it horrible? I've heard so.

[DoubleAce]

I'm not having one...I'm pretty pleased about that cause I've heard they're not nice but hopefully it won't be so bad for you girls that are having it!

[Livy]

Yep I am having one at around 28 weeks - along with another jab in the butt (anti-d shot). :yes:

[mom2jake]

I'm meant to be getting it done next visit, in 3weeks...How is it done?

[chicken]

I think its done between 24-28 weeks, and from what I understand its not that bad. You don't have to fast, you just go along and drink a small amount of sweet liquid, wait for an hour and then do a blood test. But if you fail that test, you have to do a further test which is a bit more unpleasant I think.

[MammyMammy]

oh, i dont wanna fail!

[imisschampagne]

ooohh, i havent heard of this? does everyone need to have one?:confused:

[dreamer80]

I am having the test in a few weeks:( ...Dr said it is a standard test in preg.

[DoubleAce]

Imisschampagne depends on where you go I think. The birth centre I go to (inside a hospital and follow hospital policy's on procedure's like this) only do it if you are at risk of it and I am not so it doesn't get done. It used to be routine (this is what my midwife told me) but then they realised that they were just wasting money for no reason so they have a checklist now and if you answer all no's then you don't need it done!

[Amused]

It is a pretty standard test. I've had it before and it really wasn't that bad. I think it is normally at 28 weeks. No fuss really. Just had to sit in the waiting room for an hour. Not sure how that is going to work with an 11 month old who gets bored WAY to quickly :rolleyes:

Thanks Livy for reminding me about the impending butt jab - I had seriously forgot! :thumbsup:

[ETsMum]

I would THROUGHLY recommend it!!! You can't tell by looking at someone whether they are at risk of GD. Even fit, healthy skinny people can develop it and not know - just ask me!!. That said - NO I'm not doing it. I know I've got diabeties already - haha. They also test for 2 other things at the same time. Not sure what exactly as I can't understand the codes on the form. I'll still do the b/t, but at my leisure. :)

[neostudded]

Iam having mine done next week, ill be 26 week's, iam having a blood test to :crying: .

[M O P]

Is it horrible? I've heard so.
The liquid you drink tastes like really sweet, flat lemonade- I didn't think it was that bad at all. The lovely ladies at the testing place put me in a private room with a couch to put my feet up for an hour while I waited to be tested.

Yes I will be having it done this time too.

[MammyMammy]

If someone offers me a couch and lemonade - i'm there

esp with this massive flu cloud of hell i am living in


yay

[Snugglepot]

The info from my Hospital is the same as Carmens, they are not sure if it is worthwhile if you show low risk. The guide to tests booklet says the following

Even though these tests are common in Australia they are very controversial.
Researchers cannot agree whether it is worthwhile or not and are waiting on big
studies to help decide. Unfortunately that research will not be out until later this
decade! The 3Centres Guidelines require your midwife and doctor to inform you
about the issues in having the test so you can decide.
Positives (+)
+ A diagnosis enables you to be
treated for a condition that can
cause problems for you and
your baby
+ You may worry less.
Negatives (-)
- Researchers can’t agree on the best
method of testing and are unsure
how accurate and useful current
tests are
- Researchers can’t agree on the
exact level of blood glucose that is
dangerous and diagnoses GDM. If
your blood sugar is way over the
cut-off level – you have a serious
condition and you need specialist
care. But if you are on or near the
cut-off you may be diagnosed as
having a severe condition when in
another hospital or another
country you would not be
considered at risk. Your pregnancy
will be managed very differently
and you get the label “high risk”.
- There is some evidence that you
treat yourself and baby differently
if you think of yourself as ill.

Not very clear! I think some countries no longer do it as standard, but we are ereing on the side of caution and still generally offering it here.

I don't know wether to do it or not! It is yucky, but painless really and I am over 30, so perhaps I should....

[DoubleAce]

Up to you I gues Kez! Interesting info though! I'm not getting it done. I'm not worried about having GD.

[ETsMum]

Well for me high risk = better prenatal care. EG, more scans (I'm going for my 6th this week), more frequent ob visits (been going fortnightly since week 12). Each to their own though... :)

[no1bub]

I go to an antenatal clinic, just off a hospital, they do it routinely at 26 weeks, i go in 4 weeks. Apparently anyone can be at risk (although some higher than others).

From what i understand its not bad, you fast for an hour in the morning (after brekky) then go, they do a blood test to check glucose levels, you drink a sweet drink over an hour, then they do another blood test.

As long as your ok with blood tests its doesnt sound too unpleasant;)

[DoubleAce]

Well for me high risk = better prenatal care. EG, more scans (I'm going for my 6th this week), more frequent ob visits (been going fortnightly since week 12). Each to their own though... :)

Sorry, you confused me...could you explain what you mean by high risk=better prenatal care. I read the examples you gave but disagree so hoping you can clarify more, just so I understand!

[deb1234]

as usual good old logan hospital haven't told me about this & my next appointment isn't until i'm 28 weeks. but i knew about it from my sister. she had it done at 30 weeks, so i guess i'll book it in after my next appointment.

any time i get to drink lemonade and get some time off work i'm in!!! :D

[imisschampagne]

so what exactly does it involve? blood tests and lemonade, that sounds great to me (i know im a loony) i dont mind blood tests at all, strange huh:confused:
But a jab in the bum, dont like the sound of that:thumbsdown:

[OJandMe]

It's to test the way your body is processing sugars and insulin to catch gestational diabetes if you've got it.

I had gestational diabetes last time and they caught it at the routine Glucose test at 27 weeks.

This time I had one at 14 weeks, and I'm having the routine one in the next few weeks (I'm 23 weeks now)

All you do is try to book at early appt. Eat dinner early the night before then DON'T EAT ANYTHING.

They'll take your fasting blood sugar level with a blood test, then they give you a drink (I got Lucazade) which is about 450-500ml's which you have to drink within 5 mins.

Then they give you another blood test one hour on the dot after that, and another one in another hour.

So all up, about 3 blood tests, 500ml's of flat lemonade, and no breakfast. :thumbsup:

All my bloods came back as normal with my first test this pregnancy, so I'm thinking they'll all be fine with my next GTT test too; :yes:

Don't stress about it, it's a very simple test... and if you DO have gestational diabetes, depending on what your sugar levels are, it can mostly be controlled by watching what you eat. I had no problems.

[ETsMum]

Sorry, you confused me...could you explain what you mean by high risk=better prenatal care. I read the examples you gave but disagree so hoping you can clarify more, just so I understand!

Well, in the article it said you get the label high risk as a negative. I don't see it as a negative... That is all... :)

[DoubleAce]

Well, in the article it said you get the label high risk as a negative. I don't see it as a negative... That is all... :)

Oh ok I get it now! I didn't read the whole article so that's why I was confused! Thanks!