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Pregnancy

Who has the GTT test???

25 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 08/12/2013 09:56

I was under the impression that the GTT was a standard test for all pregnant women but my midwife hasn't mentioned to me.

I saw her at 24 weeks and won't be seeing her again until I'm 31 weeks.

My urine samples have all been fine i.e no trace of sugars, so is this why I'm not having a GTT done??

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callamia · 08/12/2013 09:59

Lucky you! I had three, all because of raised sugar in urine. If you don't have any indicators or risk factors for GD, then there'd be no point in you having a GTT. Enjoy your freedom from the revolting lemon goo.

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bluehearted · 08/12/2013 10:00

I had it because of my bmi, and because baby was measuring large at scans. If you have a normal bmi you don't need it I think. Hope this helps Grin

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Undertheboredwalk · 08/12/2013 10:00

I don't think it's done unless there's risk. I'm 31weeks with DC3 and have just had one for the first time, I've only had it done now because I was worried about a few things and requested it.
It was horrible starving, so definitely wouldn't recommend unless you needed it! Smile

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Writerwannabe83 · 08/12/2013 10:03

Thanks guys - I feel better now I know it is a targeted test as opposed to a Universal one. It doesn't sound very pleasant.....what do they make you do??

My BMI was 20.7 prior to pregnancy but I haven't had my bump measured at all which is how I'd guess they'd discover if the baby seemed big? I have however got to have 4 weekly growth scans (due to medication I'm on) so I guess any concerns will be realised that way anyway.

I will follow all advice then and keep quiet Grin

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Thesebootsweremadeforwalking · 08/12/2013 10:04

I had it as my BMI was 30 and I have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes. I didn't have it in my first pregnancy, when my BMI was 24.

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LateBear · 08/12/2013 10:12

I had it because my father has type 2 diabetes.
Not fun but not as bad as I thought it would be.
(As an aside, I have PCOS which should be a risk factor as apparently that involves insulin resistance issues, and can be treated with metformin which is a diabetes drug, but I don't believe the NHS have PCOS as a reason to test for GD)

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Pantomime · 08/12/2013 10:17

I have been booked in for one because my mum had gestational diabetes and there is a history of type one and two on her side.

Its not standard at all, don't worry about it. If you show any signs of needing one your midwife will sort you out :)

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LateBear · 08/12/2013 10:41

You fast from about 9pm the night before, next morning you have a fasting blood test, drink a sugary drink (I was given lucozade) then you sit for 2 hours then do another blood test.

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GreatJoanUmber · 08/12/2013 11:00

Who are these lucky people who get to have Lucozade?! I always got a horrible syrup which tasted like two pounds of sugar dissolved in half a pint of water!

  • I always have to have the GTT as my mum's a type 2 diabetic, and she also had GD while pregnant with me. So despite my normal BMI (21) and NOT having had it with my previous pregnancy, I still had to do it again this time Confused
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Cariad007 · 08/12/2013 11:16

Same here, my mum is diabetic so I had to have it. Not the most pleasant of tests - a warm sugary drink after fasting and 3 blood tests over 2 hours does leave you feeling quite light-headed. Fortunately my tests were fine and I don't have GD.

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moominleigh94 · 08/12/2013 11:28

I have to have it because my mum had gestational diabetes.

And we get to take our own Lucozade Grin

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imme · 08/12/2013 11:31

I had it because my 28 week routine bloods showed high glucose levels.
The fasting was certainly not fun! In the end I did not have GD thankfully, I think I must have had hot chocolate before they took my bloods at 28 weeks.

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imme · 08/12/2013 11:32

Oh and in my hospital they gave us this stuff which tasted like stale warm coke. Yuk!

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slightlygoostained · 08/12/2013 11:37

I had it, cos I is old, and had expressed interest in a home birth, so consultant suggested GTT plus extra scans in case those found reasons why homebirth might not be a good plan.

BMI normal, no history of GD or diabetes, or any other risk factors other than age, so don't know if they'd have done it otherwise. I didn't find it too bad, tbh.

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Beccadugs · 08/12/2013 11:45

My BMI is fine, but I have an underactive thyroid so endocrinologist has said I have to have it. YUCK!

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WhosLookingAfterCourtney · 08/12/2013 11:46

I always had toast + marmite for breakfast before seeing the midwife. Both pregnancies the one time I forgot and had my usual porridge with syrup, I had to do the gtt test.

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Strongecoffeeismydrug · 08/12/2013 12:10

I had to have it all 3 times because babies were all measuring big, Im a chubber and I've got pcos Wink.
Also this time I'm an old dear as well Smile.
It's the worse drink ever, flat,warm and thick like syrup yuck .
Lucky all 3 times I've not had gestational diabetes so I still count myself lucky

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Honey786 · 08/12/2013 12:20

I'm due to have GTT in January, wasn't told why and was booked for the appointment when I went for my 20 week scan! My bmi is fine, I have no history and nothing found in urine. I assume it's because both my parents have diabetes so checking me incase I develop it I guess!

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NomDeClavier · 08/12/2013 12:23

Previous large baby (not that big considering we're neither of us small...) and family history of type 2 diabetes. The drink is vile.

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puddleduck16 · 08/12/2013 13:25

I had a BMI of 31 before pregnancy and have an underactive thyroid. Currently 30 weeks but at my 28 week appt I had several vials of bllod taken, all for routine tests, haemoglobin, iron etc and included a random blood sugar test. I was told if this came back abnormal then it was taken to the further level.

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sdaisy26 · 08/12/2013 13:53

I have to have it this time because I have pcos - the guidelines must have changed recently as I didn't have it in my first pg 18 months ago. Healthy bmi both times, pcos my only risk factor. Still have quite bad sickness at 25 weeks and GTT is next week - dreading it tbh.

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Cariad007 · 08/12/2013 16:44

Honey786, yes it will be because your parents are diabetic. I had to have it because of my mum but she only developed diabetes in her fifties. And I was given the all clear.

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hubbahubster · 08/12/2013 19:44

It's standard where I am (SE England) - everyone has it at 28 weeks so I did too in my last pregnancy, despite never having had sugar in my wee. Got diagnosed with GD (I was 0.1 over the limit) and had to blood test 4 times a day for the last two months of pregnancy, got normal readings every time, but despite clearly being fine having been labelled with GD I was denied loads of birth choices, and DS was given formula in hospital against my wishes in the middle if the night 'just in case'.

So basically, if you're not showing signs of GD and you don't get sent for the test, it's not necessarily a bad thing!

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Julietee · 09/12/2013 21:27

I'm really, really pissed of at the variation with this.

I have PCOS, my mum has type II diabetes and had GD.
I got told by the midwife when I asked that 'we don't go looking for trouble'. I'm sorry, not f**king good enough!
No glucose in urine, but I don't have sugary breakfasts anyway (my appts have all been morning) and my mum said she never had sugar in her urine, so it doesn't seem like the most reliable of tests.

I feel like it's a real risk for me and I want the test - I want to know if I have to modify my behaviour and to what extent.

Hmmph.

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sleepywombat · 10/12/2013 04:53

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