Gestational Diabetes test

[MarthaMe]

Has anyone had this done? My midwife said it takes at least a couple of hours. Anyone know what they do?

Apparently I have a slightly high glucose reading which is odd as I'm under 8 stone and gave a really healthy diet so bit confused why

I had one done last week and she’s right that it takes a couple of hours. You have to fast for 12 hours before your appointment (some places allow you to drink water but not all apparently). Have a blood test when your appointment is, they give you this vile tasting drink you have to drink whilst they watch and then wait in a waiting room for two hours before you get another blood test done, then you’re on your merry way and can eat again. Very boring but important for baby at the end of the day!

Yes I have GD -it's not about weight or your diet it's a pregnancy complication to do with your hormones and insulin processing. I would recommend you have a look at the gestational diabetes uk website and facebook group for more information. This advice may differ from NHS advice but it does work (basically a pairing diet), NHS advice is based on type 2 diabetes which often is a complication of weight and therefore low fat foods are recommended but GD is a different ball game!

At the GTT test you have your fasting bloods taken then drink a high sugar drink and they test your bloods again after 1 or 2 hours depending on your trust.

It’s quite simple process but a bit time consuming and boring!
You have to fast before the test so best to have it booked in for first thing on morning, mine was 8am, you can have water but nothing else for 12 hours before.
They take a blood sample from you immediately then they give you a special sugary drink, just a small cup, with another cup of water.
You drink that straight down and you wait for 2 hours. At 2 hours they take a 2nd blood sample.
They send them off and compare results.
Usually they will have the results within a day or two and I believe most hospitals will call you if there is something to discuss or not call if results are all fine. Mine have the policy of “no news is good news” basically if you don’t hear by end of tomorrow then tests are negative for GD.
I was able to leave the hospital in the 2 hour gap, I only live round the corner so I just went home and came back. However best to check yours policy and take a book or tablet for the wait!

btw GD is not necessarily linked to diet or lifestyle, it is the luck of the draw. Heavier ladies can get it as can slimmer ladies, diet comes into how you manage it, not necessarily the cause.

Best of luck!

That's really helpful thank you! I've been beating myself up wondering what I'd done/eaten that was wrong!!