Have you had the gestational diabetes test recently?

[pollysproggle]

If so how did it go?
It's a crappy test as it is, no eating or drinking then waiting around for two hours.
I have mine coming up, I really don't think I need it but they're insisting.
Usually I'd go along with whatever they suggest but it's the waiting around for two hours in the waiting room with everyone else that's bothering me.
I felt particularly sick and I fainted during those two hours when I had the test before.
I didn't have GD and I don't think I have it now but they want me to have the test.

I've asked if I can wait in my car for the two hours, they've said no and there's no option to stay in a room by myself.

Would it be a wrong move to say I don't want to have it?

You can absolutely decline the test if you want to (like anything, really). If they're very keen for you to have it done, they presumably have reasons, though?

I had one (my second) like a week and a half ago, and then within a couple of days I know my hospital changed the protocol to one where you don't do the sitting around for two hours and only have to have a single blood test. That said, even when I was there they'd rejigged the waiting room and nobody was sat near anyone else, and it was absolutely fine.

What is their reasoning for you to have the test? The decision is entirely up to you but, weigh up the risks and benefits before you make any decisions.
Could you have the test done first thing in the morning?

Thanks @Persipan
I have very large babies but it's definitely genetics rather than diabetes but I think they just want to dot the i's and cover all possibilities.
If they could do a single blood test and bypass the waiting around that's definitely doable. I'll phone and ask about that.

Where my antenatal clinic is the waiting room is shared with the blood test, X-ray and a few other departments and right next to the walk in centre sort of like a mini a&e so not much confidence in it not being busy!

Thanks @gottopicklepockle
I feel 99% sure I don't need it but it's obviously the what if? That's niggling me.
The test is booked for 9am as you have to have an 8 hour food and drink fast beforehand

I couldn't have it because the drink was so disgusting and my morning sickness so bad I couldn't keep it down. They wrote that I'd "declined" the test!! So yes, you can absolutely decline.

As I have gestational diabetes this pregnancy ( never had it with my 3 previous babies) I suggest you try to have it.

You might well be fine and not have diabetes but if you do you would want to have known.

The risks of undiagnosed gestational diabetes are very high for both mother and baby.

I went and sat in my car when I had it done, as long as I didn't go walking around they was okay with me not being in the waiting room
Just to add, you won't really know if you do have it. I never knew I had it, no telling signs but I had the test and did have it. By the end it did actually cause a few problems so I would have it done

Thanks all, I think I probably will have it, it's for the best and I'll push to wait in my car for the two hours.
I have tried to call this morning, all 3 numbers I have and can not get through.
Not a queue, no answering machine, just 'this line is busy call back later'.
Luckily I have a midwife appointment between now and the test so can ask more then.

I had it. I was allowed to sit in my car for the wait. And I have gd which I was surprised about.

I had it and also turns out I have GD (didn't have it in my first pregnancy, my only risk factor is family history of diabetes). I think it's important to find out and manage it if it's a concern. I would have been allowed to sit in my car if I wanted, but in any case the hospital was totally deserted.

Hello. I was due to take the test last week but declined it also due to both not wanting to be in the waiting room for hours and also I feel so sick if I eat anything sweet I was worried I would just throw up and void the results

I have an at home tester kit my dad lent me, thinking if I track blood sugars myself it’s what they would have asked me to do had I failed the test anyway?

Can anyone share what treatment they were given if they were positive for GD? I assume diet changes first makes most of the difference (from what I’ve read on NHS guidelines)

Thanks

I think you can decline I had mine 2 weeks ago was awful I fainted and had to be put in another room the rest of the time felt terrible all day then the next day ended up with a horrible cold pretty sure it was the lady next to me constantly coughing and sneezing I'm glad I had the test though as it was something I was concerned about .

@JKD1982 I went to a class where I learned about diet changes. I was given a blood monitor that is linked up with the hospital so the nurse can keep an eye on daily readings. I was also given a diary to record my readings and I have set target blood levels that I shouldn't go above, of course sometimes I do with the nature of diabetes.

Just an update on this thread in case anyone finds it useful.
I went for the test yesterday, was able to wait in the car for the two hours and the clinic was very quiet.
Today I get the call that I do in fact have gestational diabetes after being so confident I wouldn't have it!
I'm really surprised but just goes to show how important it is to attend all test

Hey @pollysproggle
Thanks for the update. I missed mine so don’t think I can get it back in. What did they say to do now you are diagnosed positive? I’m testing with a self kit at home. Have been ok so far. Trying to not eat anything sweet or too many carbs.
Will you have another follow up test later also?
Sorry for all the questions. Just don’t want to bother my midwife at the moment

Thanks
Jess

Hi Jess,
No problem!
They've asked me to go to the hospital on Thursday for a consultation. Going over diet changes and giving me a digital blood test monitor which updates the midwife automatically. They'll be taking more bloods and I'll be having further appointments and a different consultant at a different hospital. Seems as though the results mean my care is transferred elsewhere but where I have baby hasn't changed.
That's all I know for now but I've had a look on diabetes uk website where they had some useful diet info so I've implemented that straight away.
If I find out anymore useful info on Thursday I'll update you :)

Our trust is doing them via a single blood test rather than keeping you hanging around for hours and I know of a few other trusts doing the same thing. I’m hoping my one in May will be a single test because I fainted last time I had mine 😬

I was given a finger prick test to do four times a day at home, as the midwife said they didn't want to keep me hanging around the hospital for any longer than necessary due to coronavirus (I'd been there for a few hours already by that point).

The finger prick test gave me three readings that exceeded the threshold over a couple of days, which means I've now been diagnosed with GD.

@pollysproggle thank you so much. Really appreciate it

@worried88 I was told to do the home test every day for the rest of the pregnancy?! I didn’t think 3 days readings was enough. They are only concerned if the reading is high (above 11) not low (under 5) right?

@JKD1982 if you were getting readings of 11 that is very high and you should be on medication for that. I'm not supposed go above 7 for my after tea reading and that's the highest mine should get. At other times of the day it should be lower.