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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 take my 22 month old to a glucose test?

20 replies

Springtimeflowers · 04/05/2018 20:22

As my dad has diabetes, the midwife said that procedure now is that I need a glucose tolerance test. We got a letter from the hospital back in February with our appointment, but dh has forgotten to book it off work (he was going to watch DD while I had it). So if I go I will have to take DD.

It says on the letter that I will be at the clinic for approx 2 hours, during which time I can't walk around. Is it very important that I can't walk around, as if it is I will probably have to cancel because I won't be able to keep DD still for that long. What are others experiences of this test? Thank you.

OP posts:

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firstgo1984 · 04/05/2018 20:29

The not walking around is so that you don't use lots of energy (and therefore the glucose that they give you) or you may get a falsely low 2 hour reading.
You probably need to go without your little one.

agentdaisy · 04/05/2018 20:33

When I had mine I went to the hospital, had blood drawn, drank the foulest glucose drink ever, had to sit in a chair for 2 hours and then have more blood taken. I couldn't eat or drink anything until the second lot of blood was taken.

I think the not walking around is because it could effect the results of the second blood test as your body will use more glucose if you're moving around than it will if you're sat in a chair. This would make the whole thing pointless so I'd do everything possible to find someone to babysit or I'd rearrange the test.

Takfujuimoto · 04/05/2018 20:37

It would be much easier to not have a child to look after because like you said you red to be sat down for those 2 hrs.

I really didn't have anyone to help with one of my GTT and luckily the consultant led unit had a play area which kept DC occupied after their nap.

It's incredibly tedious, is there anyone else that can help?

Original poster

Springtimeflowers · 04/05/2018 20:39

Thanks for your replies - I thought that would be the case. Unfortunately I'll just have to cancel, as we don't have anyone to leave DD with. It's just so frustrating as dh had 3 months to make sure he had this off work, and I mentioned it many times! I have cancelling at the last moment like this, but I don't really have another choice.

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 04/05/2018 20:39

It’s s long and boring test, and yes, much movement will negate the results. It’s not really something practical to go whilst looking after a small child. Sorry.

thetriangleisarealinstrument · 04/05/2018 20:41

Id cancel and rearrange.
I had to rearrange mine because I had no child care.
It can take a long long time.
I was waiting 45 mins for the actual test to be started and then had to sit there for 2 hours.
You can move around a bit, like walking to and from the toilet and getting some water. But you shouldnt exert yourself at all as that can burn the sugar drink off faster I think and so give you a false reading.
They want to know how your body processes sugar on its own.

At my hospital clinic they had a little play area and some people had brought children along with them. But personally my little one would not be able to just play in the small play area for over two hours without me having to join in to entertain him.

Original poster

Springtimeflowers · 04/05/2018 20:41

We don't have family that live near us, and I don't really have any friends here to leave DD with. I'll just have to cancel it I think.

OP posts:

Original poster

Springtimeflowers · 04/05/2018 20:43

And unfortunately our hospital doesn't have a play area - although DD wouldn't want to leave me anyway as we're always together. Thank you everyone for your replies.

OP posts:

lmx0 · 04/05/2018 20:50

@Springtimeflowers id say your best bet is to ring n ask your hospital as everywhere seems to be so different i had mine last week and mine went as follows-
Fast from midnight
Arrive by 8 and had first blood taken around 8.30 then drank the drink
2nd blood test 9.30
3rd and final blood test 10.30

I wasnt allowed anything to eat or drink until after the last bloody test (they even gave me water then!) they said i could go and wait in the reception just to come back when my hour was up but never said i couldnt walk around

BikeRunSki · 04/05/2018 20:55

I have no nearby family. The first time I left DS with a friend i’d met at s baby group was when I went to my glucose test when I was expecting DD. I just had to grin and bare it - baby groups friends are especially useful/helpful/kind once the second baby arrives.

mither · 04/05/2018 20:57

Oh my, you just take your DC if you need to. I took 3 under 5 to mine bc I had to.

happymumof4crazykids · 04/05/2018 20:59

Ive always had to take my children to GTT at the hospital it's never been an issue

littlepooch · 04/05/2018 21:05

I'm taking my youngest one to mine - I have no one to ask as DH is away that week. She is much younger so I'm hoping she will be happy napping in her pram or sitting on my lap while I wait.

Takfujuimoto · 04/05/2018 21:09

If you can't rearrange because DH won't remember to book time off please don't completely ignore the test.
You should do it especially if you have familial links with Diabetes. There are so many possible complications if you develop GD and some women with GD end up having it turn into full blown Diabetes after birth or a bit down the line.
If you end up having to take DC with you just prepare and take as many books/toys/snacks/tablet/phone with favourite cartoons, kiddy shows on it and keep her in the pushchair and rock a little if DC gets antsy.

Good luck.

ForkIt · 04/05/2018 21:12

I’d take her tbh. My hospital had no rule about resting, I actually popped to Tesco and the park with a toddler during my 2 hour wait (and still failed the test despite being otherwise fairly borderline at that point)

Original poster

Springtimeflowers · 04/05/2018 21:42

Thanks everyone - I'll try calling tomorrow (not sure who I'll get at the weekend though), and see what they recommend.

It does say on our letters for ultrasounds (I've had many due to complications) that you shouldn't bring children, but we always bring DD along as we have no other choice, and they never seem to mind. I'm just aware that for this test I'm not meant to move, but DD being 22 months obviously doesn't stay still!

Dh doesn't think it's important for me to have the test because I'm not overweight, but I keep explaining that you don't have to be overweight to get gd. I don't think I do have it, but want to have the test if the midwife thinks I should.

OP posts:

Takfujuimoto · 04/05/2018 23:20

Your DH isn't a medical professional so his opinion doesn't really count.
I'm 5ft 8 and a size 10 and had GD with my first and now have type 2 diabetes, there are genetic connections for certain people and that is why you have been flagged for the test, because you have a higher risk of developing it if one of your parents or grandparents have it.

Why he thinks he knows better I have no idea surely he should encourage you to have every test that can help you keep you and DC2 healthy?
Does he have any idea what can go wrong if you do have GD?

ProseccoPoppy · 04/05/2018 23:31

I had GD with DC2 (no risk factors except a very slightly raised BMI and had no issues at all with DC1, no symptoms, all ok at 26 ish weeks and was only diagnosed at about 34 weeks after a retest as DC2 seemed to be measuring big). My hospital let me go home in between blood tests one and two on the proviso that I wasn’t to do anything strenuous. I went and logged in to work from home, but could in that scenario have easily looked after DC1. It may be that you’ll only need to be in there for the actual bloods not the wait (fingers crossed for you).

Pickledgerkingsareathing · 06/05/2018 23:38

I'm not taking my 1 year old with me for this reason if you've never had one before ( I've had 2 1st was because mum has diabetes and second was because he was 'measuring big ' total waffle he wasn't 😂.
And I need another one this pregnancy because of my mum again .
They are horrid not being able to eat anything atall or drink anything other then water and that drink is horrid ! And I felt awful afterwards . But ... they are quite important to go to ... maybe your partner should stress this to his work and say that you was only just told you needed one maybe ? Gestational diabetes isn't tested for the sake of it x x

MaverickSnoopy · 07/05/2018 07:27

I would and will be taking mine. I had a GTT in my last pregnancy although at no point did anyone ever tell me that I needed to sit down and couldnt move around (I did anyway). Felt fine after.

This time I have 22mo dd and no childcare. Won't have childcare on any day that I do it so I have to take her. Mine will be at my doctors surgery close to home and there is a little play area too. Nothing overly exciting but enough to keep her occupied. I'll take snacks and books and she'll be fine. If I had an alternative then I wouldn't take her, but purely for the selfish reason that I could then spend the time sitting and reading, which I never get to do!

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