Blood sugar tests / history of diabetes

[sleepybee]

I'm due to go for normal 28 week midwife appointment & bloods. At my booking appointment I confirmed I have family members who are diabetic & inject insulin. So they said I would receive an additional blood sugar test at 28 weeks. I'm now freaking out as I do eat carbs a lot at the moment and worried it's going to show I have high sugar levels. I've had no problems with diabetes previously. Anyone else having this additional check due to family medical history

[NotPennysBoat]

I've had it at 26wks in my last pregnancy due to family history - all clear! It's a blood test followed by a sugary drink, followed by another blood test 2hrs later.
Don't worry it's unlikely you'll have GD, and even if you do all it will mean is extra monitoring to make sure your baby doesn't grow too big!
Also booked in for one at 26wks with my current pregnancy.

[Giantbabymama]

Do you mean the glucose tolerance test? I had it because I had glucose in my urine and while my sugar is a bit high, they seem reluctant to classify me as gestational diabetes, but I have had to cut down the sugar and carbs and test my own blood sugar regularly. Sticking to the diet has meant I haven't needed to take any drugs for it. If you're really worried you could try to avoid carbs and high sugar in the run up but I think you are better off giving them an accurate reflection of what your sugar levels are like with your usual diet.

Family history doesn't necessarily mean you will have GD as I think it's a bit different from type I and type II. If you do end up with it, you may be able to control it with diet and while it sounds like a pain in the arse, you get used to it pretty quick (I have) and maybe find you feel a bit less tired and sluggish too.

[sleepybee]

It's not the GTT test they just said they would do an additional check of my blood as I have a family history of diabetes. I haven't changed my diet before the test today & now I'm just worried.

I'm terrified of having a large baby!

[minipie]

Sounds like the glucose tolerance test (GTT). I had to have it in both pregnancies - not due to family history but because I have PCOS which makes gestational diabetes more likely.

First pregnancy I was clear, this time I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and have to heavily control my sugar/carb intake and test bloods. It's a pain but honestly it's safer to have had it diagnosed and be careful than not get it diagnosed.

If you had gestational diabetes and it didn't get picked up there are a number of risks - higher risk of stillbirth, higher risk of large baby and associated birth problems eg shoulder dystocia, higher risk of baby developing diabetes/being obese later in life, etc.

Loads of people have the GTT and come out clear so you may well come out clear anyway.

[minipie]

Oh cross posted, so it's not the GTT. Well maybe they will see what your result today says and then refer you to have the GTT if it shows high sugar levels. Again, safer to have all the checks...

[jmojo]

Unless you are gestational diabetic then your body is doing it's job and controlling sugar, so changing your diet would make no difference. And why would you change your diet to mask the potential that you have GD? Surely you would want it picked up? You are at higher risk of a big baby if you had GD and it was left untreated. If it is controlled then your baby is more likely to be a nice normal size!!

[Number3cometome]

Up until a week ago I was very against having my GTT.

I've since discovered that babies whose mothers have undiagnosed GTT often risk serious lung issues and even death.

It's not just about the weight of the baby, get the test done.