Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

I need some advice please. re GTT

11 replies

seekingpeaceandquiet · 19/02/2013 10:04

Hi all,

Am 29 weeks now and I was supposed to have a Glucose Tolerance Test last week but had to cancel it as I was really sick.

Had a midwife appointment yesterday and she measured my bump and thought that baby was a bit small. So I was sent up to the maternity for a scan to check the size of the baby. Anyway turns out baby is measuring right his head is really low down so that's probably why midwife couldn't measure properly.

So my problem is that I'm still throwing up in the mornings. And if I dont eat or at least have a cup of tea I throw up some more and get light headed and feel even worse in myself.
But I have this GTT booked in for next week at 9.20am. They dont do any appts before this. So I wont be able to eat till 11.20 at least.

Seeing as they have just measured baby and everything seems fine will I be ok if I just didn't have the test? Any advice is welcome thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

junemami · 19/02/2013 10:24

Gtt is not a routine test, you must have some risk factors for gestational diabetes if your mw has referred you for this. There are significant risks associated with gd so its important to pick up early, so no I wouldn't just not have the test. You can have sips of water iirc and you'll be given a sugar drink at the start.

If you really don't think you'll manage it speak to your midwife

junemami · 19/02/2013 10:25

Also measuring correctly doesn't rule out gd.

Original poster

seekingpeaceandquiet · 20/02/2013 10:30

thanks for your advice junemami. Im just really nervous that I'll end up throwing up in the docs surgery or faint or something.

The midwife was very dismissive she said if I do throw up I'll just have to go back the next day and try again.

OP posts:

ChairmanWow · 20/02/2013 12:05

It does sound like there isn't really an alternative. They can test fasting blood sugar but it's not as good an indicator as glucose toleration.

If I were you I'd give it a go and see if you can manage it. Maybe keep getting some fresh air and bring things with you to distract you from the nausea.

Midori1999 · 20/02/2013 23:02

Having previously had a 10lb baby born at 38 weeks when I didn't have GD and then had a 6lb 15 oz baby born at the same gestation when I did have GD, I know only too well that the size of the baby is not the only indicator of GD. GD doesn't always mean a big baby.

GD can be dangerous to you, but can also be extremely risky to your baby, especially in the last weeks of pregnancy. I know it's not great to worry about being sick or to feel sick, but it really is worth getting the GTT done IMO.

strawberrypenguin · 20/02/2013 23:14

GD is not something to be taken lightly I'm afraid. It can lead to the placenta failing earlier than it should with horrific consequences. I'm not trying to scare you but if they have flagged you as having risk factors needing a GTT I would have it.
I had no glucose in my urine samples at all but due to a family history of GD had the test and ended up on insulin for the rest of my pg. my son needed careful monitoring and two hourly feeds for his first week of life but is absolutely fine now.

Dysgu · 20/02/2013 23:41

I am 31 weeks and have been diagnosed with GD following 2 GTTs! I actually had to do the fast three times before they could finally complete the test - a different thread! They are still uncertain as to whether I am 'really' GD or whether my blood sugar was affected by other drugs/steroids I have. But they are treating me as if I am as the result was borderline and I have a history if prem babies who would struggle more with the lower blood sugar at birth if this one comes early again.

Anyway, yes, you have a sugar drink which I actually found made me not notice I was hungry and you are advised to drink water during the two hour wait as it makes the blood test easier. You can also drink water before the test - tap water.

My only indicator is my age - no glucose in urine, not overweight, small babies, no family history of diabetes or GD. But I still had the test and am glad I did if it is in the best interests of the baby. TBH it got harder to fast each time - by the third time I was terrified I would eat before noticing so had to get DDs to be on guard!

I think you should go for the test - aim to get there a bit early. My clinic had 5 women booked in for the morning and we were done in the order we arrived. I was third so had a bit of a wait at the start and end whereas number 1 went straight in so, technically, had a shorter wait IYSWIM.

Good luck.

Original poster

seekingpeaceandquiet · 21/02/2013 09:49

Thank you all for your advice. I didn't realise there were that many risks as I have been trying not to google it.
I will push myself to go for it next week. Thanks again.

OP posts:

Wincher · 21/02/2013 11:01

Good luck for next week seeking.

I have also been referred for a GTT because of having a previous baby over 4kg (4.02kg, so only just over). However everything I've read online says you should be offered the test if you have had a baby over 4.5kg. I suppose it can't hurt to have the test but it seems a bit silly if it's not needed. I will bear in mind the advice about arriving early.

StrawberriesTasteLikeLipsDo · 21/02/2013 11:07

Had GD with both DS', with GTT on Ds1 i was sick and did faint. This is much better than GD going untreated, it can have serious complications such as still birth.

junemami · 21/02/2013 11:15

Helpful midwife can someone go with you for support? Try not to worry about it and just see how it goes, you might be fine! Good luck.

Flip