AIBU to refuse my glucose tolerance test?

[Smurftastic]

Got a letter few days ago inviting me for the glucose tolerance test, as one of my parents has type 2 diabetes (diagnosed at older age, with other co-existing conditions).

AIBU to not go?! I had it in my first pregnancy and didn't have GD. The letter has no details whatsoever, but assuming it's like the regular one it'll mean staying in the hospital for at least 2.5 hours in a crowded waiting area. I don't feel particularly safe doing this!

I'd consider going for this test if they let me wait in my car and not in the waiting room, or alternatively I'd just buy some lucozade and blood sugar test from amazon for £10 and do it myself. Am I crazy thinking of doing it like this?

Sorry I'm a bit distressed as the provided contact number to ask for more information is no use and I was told that's not the right number and they have no clue. I double checked, this number is twice on my letter!

Why don't you call your midwife and talk it through?

I don’t really understand why you wouldn’t do it.
I doubt the hospital waiting areas are going to over crowded giving the times we are in right now.
Yes your crazy doing it yourself. Please go op

The procedure might be different in terms of waiting in hospital, where you wait , etc. Best to ask before refusing the test.

If you've been advised to have it because of a family history I would have it. A lot of trusts are doing/can do a quicker version of the GTT (just a blood test, no drink or waiting. If you do have to wait the 2 hours it will be in a socially distanced waiting room!

It is really important that GD is picked up if present so the test is important even if you didn't have GD last time.

You are obviously within your rights to refuse but I wouldn't personally. Can you call your midwife in the meantime?

Social distancing should be spot on in a hospital so I wouldn’t worry about that.
I had GD and was quite affected by it - sugar levels out of control and needed insulin / metformin. But that was ok. What wasn’t was in my second pregnancy my placenta stopped working properly at 36 weeks and this was only picked up by my blood sugar levels. Baby was distressed a couple of days later and had an emergency c-section.
I think it’s too big a risk to not get one done

I has it in first pregnancy but not second. Went through the test in Covid times, everyone was spaced out and allowed out for a walk during wait time, if you do have it it is important you are monitored and levels kept under control.

Not sure why you'd refuse it, if they think it's necessary.

I had the test in first pregnancy (dad is type 1 and I'm over 35). I didn't have GD. I've been offered a test again in a few weeks and will be getting it done, each pregnancy is different.

Also, I know some hospitals advise people to go and wait in the car for the 2 hours, I think the best thing is to contact the hospital on the telephone number provided on the letter and discuss it before flat out saying no as you don't know the precautions they have put in place.

Our trust is doing it differently now.

GTT consists of bloods at 12week scan taken when you’ve eaten then blood repeated at 28weeks where you’ve fasted from 10pm.

Then they compare.

You don’t wait around for 2 hours like previously.

If the social distancing is anything like it was on my 20 week scan then it's not very good- the chairs were set apart but there must have been about 12 women in a not very big room.

If they'll want me to wait in the waiting room like this for 2 hours there's no way I'm doing it. I can wait in my car if they allow it. Perhaps it's a different, shorter wait test?

I'm seeing my midwife before the test so I'll ask her. I'd rather know if I have GD of course.

A close friend of mine had the test recently and at our hospital they allow you to wait in your car or outside if the weather is nice. So definitely worth speaking to your midwife about.

I've also heard of people who didn't have GD in their first pregnancy but have had GD in subsequent pregnancies. Personally I'd had the test rather than take the risk :)

Especially with a history of diabetes in the family it is worth getting yourself checked with the GTT. Gestational Diabetes is very similar to type 2 (although it can present in people with low risk factors too) and just because you didn't have it last time doesn't mean you won't have it this time. The waiting room won't be crowded and you will be as safe as you can be at present times. I have had 4 children and had GD twice. It is very important that if you do develop it your medical team are aware for both yours and the baby's sake.

One of my twins was born with a serious condition more common in those whose mothers have GD - I wasn’t tested so don’t know of I had it, but it meant two months in NICU and a very poorly baby, constant blood sugar testing and medication for his first 18 months and ongoing blood sugar issues now. I wouldn’t take the risk of unmanaged GD.

At our units they’re not doing GTTs due to COVID and are doing fasting blood tests instead. Regardless, everyone in the waiting room should have done a lateral flow test, be wearing a mask and social distancing so the risk is much lower.

Sorry to be blunt op but you'd be stupid not to.

I have GD and the support I've had has been fantastic.

It's not fair on your baby if you do end up having it and don't control it. A small percentage of GD babies are stillborn, is it worth it?

@FTEngineerM I wonder if they might be doing it this way. I wouldn't mind waiting in the car either. I managed to get a direct number to maternity department but I have to call in the morning.

Waiting rooms were quite crowded last time .

Pretty sure my mother's diabetes is due to the alcoholic liver failure but I know it's better safe than sorry, so I do prefer to have the test. Just not necesseraly hanging around for hours in the waiting room .

Mine was done (several years ago) at my GP surgery by a nurse. It was a lovely day, so I waited outside. Might be worth asking if that would be possible?

Same circumstances as you. I said I'd have it at 28 weeks or earlier if there were any clinical indicators of GD, rather than just based risk modelling. No symptoms occurred and at 28 weeks all was fine. (PS I refused the GTT though and agreed to a b test instead at 28 weeks)

Social distancing will be in place. Many places are still doing the full GTT but you'd have to check with your midwife or hospital if they are.

I had the test in my last 3 pregnancies, all clear. Of course I went for it this time too, again all clear. I have big babies without GD so would definitely want to know if I had GD as they'd come out toddler sized lol.
They have little 2 person sections in the waiting area at our hospital, you are not allowed to leave the hospital for the 2 hours between bloods. My SPD hips were not happy about sitting on a hospital chair that long but it was fine. Many women were sick so had to arrange to come back not long before their 2nd lot of bloods, now that's really crappy.

*Based on

[quote Smurftastic]@FTEngineerM I wonder if they might be doing it this way. I wouldn't mind waiting in the car either. I managed to get a direct number to maternity department but I have to call in the morning.

Waiting rooms were quite crowded last time .

Pretty sure my mother's diabetes is due to the alcoholic liver failure but I know it's better safe than sorry, so I do prefer to have the test. Just not necesseraly hanging around for hours in the waiting room .[/quote]
Mine was a blood test too. If yours was to he done like that, it would have been around 12 weeks And 28 weeks bloods. I don't think you'd have been invited for a glucose tolerance test specifically.

When I had mine earlier in my pregnancy you had to wait in your car in between getting bloods done, only people who didn't have a car was allowed to wait in the waiting room if that makes you feel any better

Go
It will be exceptionally well organised
You’ll be in and out in no time at all

As inconvenient as it is for you it’s really about your baby and giving your baby the best start.
GD has to do with the placenta, each pregnancy is a risk as each time it’s a different placenta.

@kerbearr yes, it would make me feel ok. I'd just bring a book. Don't want to sound like a wuss but unless it's a different waiting area to their regular one I don't fancy waiting in a warm room with my mask on for so long either, I get quite dizzy from my low blood pressure alone .

Call them to check. I was pregnant during the first lockdown and they weren't doing the 2 hour wait test. You still had to fast but it was just one blood test. In and out.

@Smurftastic ring and make sure that's ok I can't see a problem with it, I've also been a high risk pregnancy and every time I've had to wait for an appt my midwife pops me in a wee room while I wait for consultant so I'm not in the busy waiting room.