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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Can I refuse GTT?

29 replies

CathyandHeathcliff · 18/04/2018 23:07

Just that.

I'm in a high BMI risk zone. I hate myself for it. Going through this type of test is all kinds of hell for me and my anxiety.
I have a history of an eating disorder and obsessive about eating times.
I can't physically bring myself to not eat, have the blood test (which I hate anyway) then drink the glucose and fast for another two hours! It's literally terrifying to me (no exaggeration).

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Cantchooseaname · 18/04/2018 23:12

Well, it’s your body, and I guess you get to call the shots. But maybe a couple of things to think about...
Have you explored the risk to baby if you having undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes? Being a parent is often about being able to put your wants/ needs to one side for ‘the greater good’.
Have you talked to your midwife- they may be able to test for diabetes in different ways? Ie measuring blood glucose after meals/ upon waking for a week.
Have you talked to midwife about anxiety/ mental health in general- there is help out there.

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 18/04/2018 23:15

Mental health is known to midwife, under consultant care and specialist mental health midwife.

I must be an awful parent to be because I can't think about anything other than myself and how it's going to affect me at the moment.

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Cantchooseaname · 18/04/2018 23:19

You are thinking about it because you are talking about it- that isn’t awful parenting.
When are you supposed to have it? Can they look at another method rather than gtt?

Ninjamilo · 18/04/2018 23:21

As poster above said - you could monitor yourself? That does rely on you testing at the correct times and being honest though. GD can have some nasty consequences if not controlled.

After having GD this pregnancy, I personally would refuse the GTT if I ever have another child. But that's solely because I'd rather monitor myself than drink a load of sugar. I have done a heck of a lot of research round GD so would feel confident doing this as I have managed to stay diet controlled for 3 months. I definitely couldn't have done this time round.

Slievenamon · 18/04/2018 23:23

You can refuse any test or intervention you like at any time (presuming you are in the UK that is. In other places, such as Ireland, you can be forced into procedures without your consent)

Dobbythesockelf · 18/04/2018 23:30

Obviously you can refuse as it's your right but I would talk to your midwife about other options. It would be much worse tonnage undiagnosed gd I imagine than not look into all avenues available to you.

FloydOnThePull · 18/04/2018 23:38

You don't have to, no.

If it helps, it really isn't that bad. I had my appointment at 9am so fasting for 12 before was fine as I wouldn't normally eat after 9pm anyway, so all that happened in reality is that I skipped breakfast. They do a finger prick test at the start (so only a drop of blood) The drink I was given was like strong orange squash- have you ever had the Ribena strawberry drink? It was like that but orange flavoured. I then sat in the waiting room and watched a few episodes of the Inbetweeners in my phone whilst I waited the 2 hours to be called back. They took a syringe of blood and I was straight to Costa for a tea and a sandwich. I was quite anxious about it beforehand but it turned out to be a non event really. Just me and DH bored in the waiting room watching tv on our phones (through headphones of course)

DoneDisappeared · 18/04/2018 23:40

Ask the midwife for an alternative way to test as suggested above. There are other options.

firsttimebabybirther · 18/04/2018 23:49

You can ask if you can self monitor blood sugar levels , this was offered to me due to extreme anxiety.

Pinkvoid · 19/04/2018 00:02

I only had it in my first pregnancy because I was terrified of saying no to anything. The only thing I declined was the amniocentesis because I didn’t want to risk miscarriage.

I found it to be a massive waste of time really. I sat there bored shitless and starving for a couple of hours to be told I didn’t have it. Worst thing was they wanted to send me for a repeat test a couple of months later purely because my DS was such a big baby! I said no and I didn’t have GD. I didn’t bother with my next two pregnancies. Again, big babies but no GD.

It’s completely up to you whether you have it or not.

LeighaJ · 19/04/2018 10:18

I had it done even though I'm not high risk for gestational diabetes. I get more anxiety about anything possibly being wrong with her and/or me, (which could affect her) then I do about getting tests done.

LeighaJ · 19/04/2018 10:18

I didn't know you could refuse it though, but I wouldn't have anyway.

jamoncrumpets · 19/04/2018 10:19

I can't do the GTT because of HG. I have to have regular blood tests and wee dip strips. That test is vile, and I ruined it twice by throwing up.

Buxbaum · 19/04/2018 10:26

You can refuse any test, screening, or examination. Whether or not it is a good idea is another matter.

I would echo pp’s advice to raise it with your MH mw or consultant and ask about alternatives to the standard fasting blood test.

Hoppinggreen · 19/04/2018 10:31

I wasn’t offered it with my first but I was with my 2nd
I refused it and everything was fine but that’s not always the case and close friend of ours suffered a terrible tragedy that MAY have been linked to GD.
I can’t advise you to do it when I didn’t myself but please consider it

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 19/04/2018 12:31

I don't think I physically can do I will need to ask about other alternatives.

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TinoTheArtisticMouse · 19/04/2018 12:34

Of course you can refuse.
I wouldn't though - the potential effects of gd are tragic.
Easy for me to say, but you need to focus on the baby and what this test means for them, rather than how you feel about it.
You're about to become a mum, which means putting their needs first.
Other people's suggestions are good to ask if there are alternatives that you could use though - better to have an alternative than just refuse the test and be in the dark whether you have gd.

SamanthaH92 · 19/04/2018 13:45

I know 2 people who have refused the test recently. 1 of them actually has GB, found out a few weeks ago after having to check their sugars because of babys size. Second hasn't had GB. I think its up to you x

idobelieveinfairies86 · 19/04/2018 14:07

Is there a reason you've been booked for a gtt other than your high bmi? eg has sugars (forget the correct name) been found in your urine? Are they concerned about the size of baby etc?
If it's just a case of high bmi then I would refuse at that point, but if it was because of possible symptoms I was experiencing then I would either do the gtt or ask if there's an alternative.

I had 3 gtts with my first because sugars kept being found in my urine but every time my sugar levels were fine and no GD despite being in the obese range at the time

Chocness · 19/04/2018 14:09

Sorry to hear this is causing you so much anxiety. I’ve had it recently and it’s really no big deal. I also was concerned about the fasting element as when pregnant I seem to be continuously hungry so the thought of not being able to eat brings me out in a cold sweat. My midwife booked my appt for first thing in the morning so I had a nice filling dinnerv(lots of protein) the night before then went to bed. In the morning I just headed straight off to the test so there was no temptation on the way. As other posters have said, being a mother involves a lot of sacrifices and I see the GTT as just one of those. No one particularly wants to have that test but it’s done for the benefit of the baby as well as the mother. There can be dire consequences of undiagnosed diabetes in pregnancy so it’s really not worth not doing. I’d suggest you get a friend or your partner to be fully involved in this so that you have someone holding your hanD so to speak if the anxiety gets too much. Good luck and like me I hope it spurs you on to a more positive association with food. It was a real wake up call for me and has led to some profound changes in the food I eat despite being given the all clear on the GTT test results.

GreenStars · 19/04/2018 14:17

Horrible to have such anxiety but I'd try to get help not just for this test but in general to ensure you dont project your issues into your child as soon as they start solid foods etc.

MollyDaydream · 19/04/2018 14:19

You can decline anything offered. I declined some blood tests as I don't like needles.

NooNooHead · 19/04/2018 14:31

I had undiagnosed GD in my first pregnancy and my DD was 11lb5.5oz - and i’m only 5’2”..!

This time, i’m really grateful they detected my GD as I didn’t want another huge baby, plus being induced, going through labour then having an EMCS isn’t in my birth plan this time - I’m booked in for a planned c-section so I feel more in control!

Obviously it is up to you, but from past bad experience, I am certain I was very lucky that things weren’t worse last time. I’m grateful it all worked out but it could have meant lots more complications for me and my DD, and that’s what i’m hoping to avoid this time round.

FranticallyPeaceful · 19/04/2018 14:52

It was snowing when my appointment was and then we moved and it was never done. So I didn’t refuse, but I didn’t have it done

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 19/04/2018 15:49

@idobelieveinfairies86 No other reason, my urine samples have been fine. It's just because of my BMI. I will ask about another alternative.

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