Gestational diabetes test in France?

[googietheegg]

I'm 23+5 in France and have just read that everyone has to take a gestational diabetes test even if there's no symptoms. Does anyone know any more about it?

Do I have to arrange it myself? What actually happens?!

[jenpetronus]

If it's the one I'm thinking of you will have it done at wherever you usually have your monthly blood tests done. It's 3 years ago now, but you have to go on an empty stomach they take some blood and test it straight away, then you drink a horrid solution, wait an hour and the same test is repeated to see how your blood sugar levels have changed.

[BriocheDoree]

What Jenpetronus said, plus you get the prescription from your doctor (gyne, hospital, whoever is looking after you). I think I did it about 28 weeks ('twas a long time ago!!) No doubt your "care provider" will tell you about it when you need to get it done.

[googietheegg]

Jen thank you v helpful - do you know when in the pregnancy it happens?

[googietheegg]

brioche thanks!

[flyingcloud]

googie - they don't do it anymore.

I am 37 weeks with DC2 and thought that my midwife had forgotten it, but she assured me it's no longer required.

[Grin] relief as it was unpleasant first time round, made me feel crap for the day.

[googietheegg]

Ooh flying thanks for that - I get my blood test and urine test done every month so I guess they'd know if I was at risk anyway.

Congratulations too! How have you been getting on with your pregnancy in France? Have people been helpful? This is my first so it's all new - any tips much appreciated!

[bunnyfrance]

Hi googie,

I've had the test twice, most recently last year. I quite like the sugary drink, but then I'm weird that way!

Good news that if I'm pregnant again, I won't have to have the test, hooray! Is that new since this year, flying?

[flyingcloud]

I don't know how new it is bunny, loads of stuff seems to have changed in the 2 years since my last pg.

My hospital now has a birthing pool and a ball :) I am going to try out the pool, but am a bit worried as I am a total wimp when it comes to pain. I didn't handle my contractions very well last time.

googie fire away any questions - this is my second (both in France). I have, both times, made a total cock-up of my paperwork and declarations etc. Even with a French DH.

Also the first time I saw a gynae the whole way through, which was reassuring, but I never warmed to him and this time I switched to a mid-wife, which I have loved. I feel at bit more laissez-faire about the whole thing and a lot more relaxed.

[BizzeeBee]

I didn't have to do the test when I was pregnant last year. My lovely mid-wife said that since I was low risk for GD, then it would be fine to do a different test to see how my body was tolerating the sugar. We would then look at those results to see if it was necessary to do the proper test.

I had to have a control blood test on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, and then go back to the lab for another test in the afternoon, 2 hours after having a proper lunch with some sugar. That was much nice than the sugary drink, and I preferred not having to wait around.

It makes sense to me to not routinely do the test unless indicated, so nice to see they are getting sensible. :)

[bunnyfrance]

flying, if you're feeling more relaxed, chances are the birth will go well! I used the pool for my second labour, but I was a bit disappointed - it was a hard surface to lie against, so not particularly comfortable, and it didn't magic away the pain the minute I dived heaved myself in. I actually wanted to get out soon after, but felt bad as they'd filled the whole thing up for me, so stayed in longer than I actually wanted to!

Sorry for hijack, googie!

[flyingcloud]

Thanks bunny.

I think I probably will end up the same as you when it comes to using the birthing pool. I had a bath before leaving for hospital last time, and it speeded things up and in no way alleviated the pain, so perhaps it is wishful thinking on my part to imagine that a pool is going to have some magic effect on my inability to deal calmly with contractions! Did you have an epidural in the end?

Sorry for continued hijack!

[googietheegg]

Don't apologise for the hijack! It's good to know as much as possible as it's all new to me.

[OhFraktiousTree]

Have they really scrapped this? Thank heavens! I had to do it twice because I threw up the nasty sugary concoction the first time.

[bunnyfrance]

flying, nope, no epidural, DD was born 10 minutes after I got out of the pool! The water just helps one relax, which is important, but does nothing for the pain. Well, that's what I found, anyway.

ohfraktious, I think it depends on your doctor - mine is pretty old school, so it takes a while for new developments to take hold...I had to have the test just a few months ago, with no symptoms or risk factors....grrrrr!

[Booboostoo]

I had it done last year at about 28 weeks, was told it was standard. I quite liked the sugary drink, so you never know!