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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Refused GTT?

37 replies

Moonchild23 · 09/04/2019 10:44

My midwife said I’ll need to have the gestational diabetes test because my Dad has type 2 - completely lifestyle related!
I’m feeling reluctant because at my booking in my BMI was normal (not that that means any thorn either!) and I’ve not gained much weight or have any diabetes symptoms.
I know many will say what’s the harm but aren’t the tests notoriously inaccurate? I don’t want an inaccurate result impacting the possibility of the birth I want.

OP posts:

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Megan2018 · 09/04/2019 10:48

@Moonchild23
I'd not risk my baby's health. The birth you want is secondary to that surely?
My Dad is Type 2 and I will probably need the test too - so I will have it. Symptoms or not.

If it is positive you need the extra monitoring. Both my cousins developed GD and they really needed the additional care as their babies had complications (although were fine in the end).

TheVanguardSix · 09/04/2019 10:49

Isn’t everyone tested for gestational diabetes during pregnancy? Just do it, OP. I’ve not heard results are inaccurate.

PencereTencere · 09/04/2019 10:50

I had the GTT both times as my father is a type 2 diabetic. It's not a particularly pleasant test, but is simple enough. I didn't have GD in either pregnancy and my GTT results were exemplary.

To be honest, I don't understand why you wouldn't go and have the test done. Better safe than sorry, surely?

Megan2018 · 09/04/2019 11:06

@TheVanguardSix
My MW said they dip urine for everyone but the GTT test isn't universal.

Yellowcar2 · 09/04/2019 11:07

I had the GTT for all 3 pregnancies for the same reason all were negative. Also as a side note my very slim petite friend did have gestational diabetes so not always down to size. If I were you I'd probably just do it.

mynameiscalypso · 09/04/2019 11:10

I'm considering refusing too (it's automatic because of my age here). I know it's fairly straightforward but I'm worried about the impact it will have on my MH (ongoing battle with eating disorders). I'm talking to my midwife about it next week to weigh up the risks.

Emz01 · 09/04/2019 11:15

I had GD in both my pregnancies, I am petite and not overweight. I had no symptoms so it was not picked up until 32 weeks the first time around when baby had a big growth spurt.
Yes the test can be frustrating due to the amount of time it takes but it was straight forward. I would much rather know I have it as it can cause so many complications if not treated.

Faster · 09/04/2019 11:15

My friend was tested for the same reasons and she had GD. Likely wouldn’t have been spotted until later in the pregnancy and she was able to safely manage it with her diet.

Tattletale · 09/04/2019 11:15

My sister is very slim and there is no history of diabetes in the family. She lives in an area that still carries out the GTT routinely. She is currently pregnant and has just discovered as a result of the test that she has gestational diabetes. She had no symptoms either. I am always of the mind that if the NHS offer you the tests, you should take them. They would not offer the tests if they weren't important.

LetsGroove2nite · 09/04/2019 11:15

I don't think the test is inaccurate and given the risks include damage to the blood vessels of the placenta and reduced growth (or if it occurs later, increased growth) I don't know why you wouldn't do it. That being said, I was negative for my first one (my risk factor was my ethnicity) but later had glucose +++ on a urine dip and tested positive the second time. So there are other ways of monitoring it is what I'm saying but still don't understand why youd risk it

purplemama1990 · 09/04/2019 11:19

I have to do the test for two reasons - my mum is a type 2 diabetic, and also the fact that I'm middle eastern is apparently a risk factor! My sister had to do it during her pregnancy too, and she was fine. But anyone can develop GD even without having any of the risk factors.

I haven't heard of the results being inaccurate at all, unless you don't follow the guidelines on fasting from the night before etc. I would just do it to be honest, you'll likely be fine. But if it turns out you have developed it, it's best to know so that you can be monitored and keep it under control, otherwise it poses a risk to baby.

Frogbull · 09/04/2019 11:24

I was normal weight too, and I don't believe GD has any obvious symptoms. I was tested due to my dad having type 2, but my midwife said that I was unlikely to test positive. I did test positive, both pregnancies. It was controlled by diet, which was hard at times but OK overall.

I didn't get the lovely natural birth I wanted, which disappointed me at the time, but it doesn't bother me now. One of my babies was born with low blood sugar and needed a little extra help, but at least they knew to check for blood sugar, which if I hadn't been diagnosed, they may not have done.

Take the test. It's not a pleasant test, but surely something that can help prevent some complications is worth it.

Betty1064 · 09/04/2019 11:57

I refused a GTT at 26 weeks due to fainting during one in a previous pregnancy. At 34 weeks my baby was measuring big and the midwife pleaded with me to do the GTT, I did and I did have gestational diabetes. I felt awful for putting it off as it could have affected my baby. I did manage to stay diet controlled throughout, however I have already had two GTT tests during my current pregnancy- I'd never put one off again. You never know.

Original poster

Moonchild23 · 09/04/2019 12:50

I get if GDD is truly present then of course it makes sense to know about it. However, the tests and studies that they’re built on have not been proven to be accurate :
www.cochrane.org/CD007222/PREG_screening-women-gestational-diabetes-pregnancy-based-whether-they-are-considered-risk-and-different

www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gdhgoer.html

midwifethinking.com/2018/03/20/gestational-diabetes-beyond-the-label/

I resent the comment of isn’t my baby’s health more important than the birth? Of course if there is a true emergency. But my baby’s birth will impact mine and their health - so why would I not do everything I can to ensure the best birth (for us) possible?

OP posts:

Megan2018 · 09/04/2019 13:02

So how are you proposing to find out @Moonchild23 without the test?
That makes no sense!

By the time it is an emergency it might be too late? Such an odd thing to not want to have. Hate to say it but I think it is irresponsible.

My cousins eldest was born early by emergency section and very ill due to GD. They originally wanted a home birth. If they'd carried on with that plan without the test there is a good chance that one or both of them would be dead.

MyKingdomForBrie · 09/04/2019 13:05

As Moonchild says you're not making sense. The risk of not being tested and having the health effects associated is more serious than the chance of not having the kind of delivery of your choosing, by a long way.

Apoiads · 09/04/2019 13:10

What is GDD?

Apoiads · 09/04/2019 13:11

Sorry, what is GTT?

Megan2018 · 09/04/2019 13:15

@Apoiads
www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/
Glucose Tolerance Test (Oral)

cranstonmanor · 09/04/2019 13:33

Well.... it's a bit more of a priority thing tbh. I had a colleague 20 years ago whose baby died a few days before the due date due to untill then undiagnosed gestational diabetes. She didn't recognise any symptoms and had a normal bmi (as far as I could see). Of course a healthy birth is what everyone would strive for in all cases but if you do have gestational diabetes you would really do well to know about it to prevent future problems, including at birth. Just not testing and risking it can turn out fine (and will in most cases), but it can become a preventable disaster as well, which no one wants. Better to know in my opinion, and strive for the best birth possible for both of you.

Apoiads · 09/04/2019 13:36

Ok OP
Well, these are the risks (some small)

However, gestational diabetes can cause problems such as:

your baby growing larger than usual – this may lead to difficulties during the delivery and increases the likelihood of needing induced labour or a caesarean section
polyhydramnios – too much amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby) in the womb, which can cause premature labour or problems at delivery
premature birth – giving birth before the 37th week of pregnancy
pre-eclampsia – a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to pregnancy complications if not treated
your baby developing low blood sugar or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) after he or she is born, which may require treatment in hospital
the loss of your baby (stillbirth) – though this is rare
Having gestational diabetes also means you're at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Newyearsameoldshit · 09/04/2019 15:55

If you are concerned over the accuracy of the GTT could you speak to your midwife about doing home fingerpick tests and keeping a blood sugar diary instead?

It's possible to develop GD with a healthy weight and no symptoms, plenty of healthy people get unlucky.

DinoMamasaurus · 09/04/2019 16:14

I wasn’t thrilled when they told me to have one second pregnancy due to prev large baby and maternal uncle with type 1 diabetes. But for me the risks of undiagnosed gestational diabetes outweighed taking the test.

Of course they can’t make you have it (or anything else for that matter) so it’s your decision to make. There are however lots of things that can derail a birth plan on the day so i would try not to view this extra test as the only thing that could scupper your ideal. My birth plan was going great until my waters went and there was meconium in them and I was whisked from the lovely midwife unit off to delivery suite. It all still went fine. I still used my hypnobirthing and had a positive birth experience.

I did a lot of reading around the subject. I took the test - it was negative.

If you test positive then you’d be testing your blood regularly and if that showed no issues you can press with your team for your birth options. Whatever you are dealing with in any pregnancy you can press for what you want in terms of birth - the medical staff are there to advise you but mostly you can put your foot down on what you do don’t want (unless you are literally in a critical situation and they are going to do whatever to save you/baby).

NatureGal · 09/04/2019 21:52

As someone who has had previous gestational diabetes and currently has it. Take the test, if you do have it, it doesn't mean that you can't have the birth you want. My first GD pregnancy was lovely, spontaneous, no interference and all I hoped. Planning similar for this one, but having to fight for it this time. The risks of undiagnosed GD are real, don't risk it.

cloudymelonade · 10/04/2019 01:14

Please please get tested.
A close friend of mine is having multiple surgeries and is really struggling to care for her 12 week old daughter after a very traumatic birth due to undiagnosed GD.

I'm not sure where you heard the tests are inaccurate, that's not something I've ever heard and if you're worried about the accuracy, get tested twice.

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