Gestational Diabetes Test

[anythingwithagiraffeonit]

Hi everyone,

Could someone give me some advice as I am freaking out!

After months of hyperemesis I have what I believe to be the most sensitive gag reflex of anyone in the world!! I'm really worried about the glucose drink i'm supposed to drink for the GD test I have to have next week...

I literally think i'll just gag and not be able to drink it.

I don't have any symptoms, I don't think, and although I have a high BMI, have none of the other indicators, in fact, my baby is measuring on the smaller side.

Could someone please tell me what this drink is like, how much of it there is, and if I have no symptoms and no other indicators, could I still have GD?

xx

[MoonFaceMama]

I didn't have any symps and tested fine, hope the same is the case for you. The drink is like a cross between undiluted squash and cough syrup. It isn't nice tbh.

I'm sorry that's not much help.

[MoonFaceMama]

sorry, forgot to say there's not much, half a little plastic cup, the type you get from a vending machine.

[cardamomginger]

You poor thing. Had my GTT last week and my drink was a small disposable cup of water mixed with glucose powder. Consistency was slightly thicker than water, but not "thick" if you see what I mean. Tasted a bit of icing sugar. I know that other hospitals use Lucozade and then you end up drinking about 3 disposable cups of it. So it depends on what the hospital you are at uses - they should be happy to tell you this.
I have to say I felt a bit dodgy afterwards and then again after I was finally able to eat - bit dizzy and light headed and generally "off". So I'd make sure you can take it easy for a few hours after the test. I was allowed to drink plain water during the test, which definitely helped.
Hope it goes well for you and that the results come back negative. Feel better!

[mummytosquidgies]

I didn't have any symptoms either, and results came back negative, so hopefully it'll be the same for you too.

The drink I had was clear, thick and very sweet, not very nice, but the nurse squeezed a lemon in to it which definitely helped! The worst bit for me was when I finished the glass and she reached over and filled it up again , I think I must have had about half a litre.

Please try not to worry about it, I found the worrying was worse than the actual test!

[MoonFaceMama]

Yes, i second what cardamon says. Try and take someone with you and write off the rest of the day in advance. Hope fully you will be fine and then you can spend the day having fun!

[MoonFaceMama]

write to rest of the day off sorry.

[MoonFaceMama]

argh. Bloody phone! the

[Ozziegirly]

I don't have any symptoms and don't fall into any of the risk categories, and yet I was diagnosed last month, and am now on insulin, so it is worth having the test.

I found the drink tasted just like a sweet sugary soda, not terrible. I felt fine, even though my reading was really high.

Good luck - they offered me a room if I needed a lie down and offered to sign me off work if I felt grotty, but I was fine.

[Lastyearsmodel]

330ml bottle of Lucozade and could take my time drinking it. I'm sure they'll be understanding if you find it tough. I too had no symptoms and a neg result. Good luck!

[Chelle1986]

I think the drink must be different in each hospital. Mine was a big tumbler of water like subtstance - not unlike very weak lucozade - didn't really taste of much to be honest.

Had this test last Tuesday - haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone know how long it takes and if they just dont contact you if negative result?

[emmyloo2]

Could someone tell me whether everyone has this test? At what stage do you take it? I am having my 24 week midwife appoointment in just under two weeks - would it be taken then?

Thanks

[Lastyearsmodel]

No, the factors vary from area to area but it can be previous large babies, a BMI of over 30 or 35 (different areas do it differently) and any gestational diabetes symptoms.

It's done in hospital and involves a blood sample, then drinking an energy drink, waiting 2 hours then another blood test to see how your body deals with sugars. (Very simplifie version)

[cardamomginger]

I was picked up as "at risk" because I'd had half my thyroid 10 years ago due to a lump. There are other things in your medical history that could make you high risk. I don't believe that in the UK everyone is automatically referred for GTT. However, it may vary from PCT to PCT and perhaps some do refer everyone. I think the window of opportunity for testing is around 27-28 weeks. So doubt you would take the test at 24 weeks.

[cinnamongreyhound]

My drink was 250ml of very sweet liquid, it wasn't thick at all and did taste like icing sugar. I could take as long as I needed to drink it but they don't start the 2 hours until you finish, so the longer you take to drink it the longer you will be there.

I did feel quite sick for 1/2 hour afterwards but then I did down it to get it over with and my totally empty stomach didn't cope very well. Just kept sipping water afterwards and soon felt better, didn't get the 'headiness' that they said I might though.