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!

@Smurftastic do you think there might be an option to have the test done at your GP surgery instead?

That’s where I’m having mine done. With a practice nurse. I just had to book 2 appointments 2 hours 20 minutes apart with reception.

When I had mine done 6 weeks ago, the GTT women were sat in a separate waiting room from the main waiting room. We were spaced out by 2m and they had enough chairs for the number of GTT patients so nobody else could sit among us. You're allowed to drink water between blood tests so I used that as an opportunity to take the mask off a few times over the 2 hours for a breather. We had the door open too, but eventually asked to close it as we were cold!!
The 2 hours passed much quicker than I thought they would, and the mask wearing wasn't too much of an issue really. I think you're better off going and getting the test done, than putting it off, but at the end of the day it's up to you.

Where I am based some days I have to wait up to 3 hours to see the midwife/consultant. Absolute torture but know it is best for baby. I would just accept that this needs to be done.

The are, apparently 156000 active cases in the U.K. and NI atm (obviously this is only as accurate as not everyone with Covid has been tested), but assuming say 300000 active cases, that’s less than 0.5% of the population is currently infected with Covid.

I think you will, working the odds, be ok. Just wash your hands and keep as distanced as possible.

Just to say i only had gestational diabetes in my second pregnancy. Not a hint in my first. I was slim too. I am very glad i had the test.

I just had mine, waited a short time for initial blood test and then to check if I'd thrown up the solution, then given a time to go back in a couple of hours for the follow up blood test, very organized, very few people in waiting room at a time. I didn't have it in last pregnancy, do in this one, no different risk factors.

@Smurftastic Where I am, you have the test and then wait outside the hospital and come back in 2 hours. They must be able to accommodate that… I don’t typically mind my mask but two hours with it on in this heat, and pregnant, would be tough.

I wouldn’t refuse the test, because it’s for the safety of your baby, but I’d be pushing hard for a compromise.

They tried to get me to have one because my grandmother developed diabetes in her 50's/60's. I declined and nothing happened.

@TakeYourFinalPosition I'd be perfectly fine with this but I was just told the alternative is not having the test done at all. I'm hoping my midwife can help me find a solution. I don't know if I'm being hormonal but I've actually cried about it, first a letter with no info and wrong contact numbers, then having to spend a couple of hours trying to find someone to actually talk to me about it. Then just being told 'tough it is what it is'.

@Comefromaway my mother got diabetes at 65 due to alcoholic liver failure. It's a co-morbidity.

I had to have one last year. Hospital were great, waiting area only had 3 chairs in and appointments spread out so that there was never more than 2 people in the area. You were also able to sit outside/in your car if preferred, just not allowed to walk around as it can effect the result.

@Idontgiveagriffindamn

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

Hilarious to your first few words. Hospitals remain some of the worst places for social distancing. My OH has had to have a few blood tests, consultations etc in our local hospital due to having cancer. Nearly every time, he's had to wait in tiny cramped areas with loads of people stuck in non ventilated areas. They keep their "reception" areas clear of people, but in the corridors behind, where the consultation rooms are located, it's just a free for all, even worse when the consultant is running late.

I didn’t had gd in my first pregnancy but did in my second. If I were you, I’d go and, when they tell me to wait in the waiting room for two hours, I would tell them that I prefer to wait outside and I will return in 1hr 45 minutes and here’s my number if they need me in the meantime.
I can get very stroppy when in stressful situations though!

Third baby here. My mum had type 1 and uncle had and my dad now has type 2.

Babies 1 and 2 had the test and it was really unpleasant. So hard not to be sick. Really hated it. Came back clear each time.

This time with it being number 3 and my not having got it last 2 times I planned to say no to it. I wasn't comfy doing the sitting for 2 hours in a mask as would be even worse for feeling poorly after the drink.

I rehearsed how to decline but turns out my midwife forgot to book it anyway as I'm now 33 weeks and no one has mentioned it. 😬

I knew a mother who had it in one pg - 6th- but didn't have it in other 8 pg.

I was in a smilar position - pretty sure the type 2 was due to the huge parental weight - 26 stone + -but pre covid times it was easier choice to get tested - all fine in every pg.

I think I was still useful becuase the babies were big - they seem to be in DMums family - and in later pg it was useful to know it wasn't GD.

I'd suggest keep on with MW and department and talk through what the risks are in your case .

I know masks are very personal but I had issues with cloths masks and wearing them for any length of time - found the KN95 masks much better for longer periods.

I understand you are nervous but as someone who had GD with no risk factors at all ( healthy weight no family history etc) I would always do the test for my baby. It can be really dangerous for your baby if not picked up. Mine was only picked up as by chance I had an extra scan due to low placenta and baby looked big on scan. My bump wasn’t even measuring big when midwife was measuring me. I also only had it in one of my two pregnancies. Unpleasant as it is, I do believe you should do this for your baby. ( I have actually been tested twice in current pregnancy- both negative but both experiences fine, good social distancing etc and neither at hospital but I do understand different trusts do it differently) .

@Italiandreams I'd rather have the test for the reasons you stated but I can't think why it would be so horrible for them to let me wait in the car. I think I might be overreacting a little as my whole pregnancy I've been struggling to get any appointments, information, I'm waiting for the physio 3rd month now etc. Just feeling overall like I'm being let down I suppose.

Could you try something like taking headphones and listening to music, a podcast, mindfulness/relaxation stuff whilst you're in the waiting room? Or take a book and stuff your nose in it? It's not ideal having to sit in a waiting room for 2 hours, but it passes quicker than you think.
Or ask if you could have it done at the Dr's surgery or pay to have it done privately if you're really concerned about being in the hospital... however, I would think everywhere would expect you to wear a mask whilst waiting.
Could you ask if a face shield would be a suitable alternative? If you can't wear a mask that long, that might be easier?

I was told if I had someone with me I could wait in car, they were nervous I would faint. Maybe you could suggest this compromise?

I'm interested to hear that so many hospitals are offering the glucose tolerance test... my hospital is saying that I won't be offered that because of covid restrictions and instead I have to just have a fasting blood test. If anybody would mind sharing which hospital is offering the test I'd be interested to know as I'd like to have it (I'm in north west).

It all changed this time, first pregnancy sat in a sure start centre with lucozade couldn't leave this time, normal doctors, they now give you a special drink as better ingredients, she gave it me to drive home with (5 mins) said drink quick, don't move, come back in 2 hours.

Easy

@Owlette123 It seems to vary wildly between trusts, I'd love to not have to sit in a hot waiting room for 2 hours with my mask on, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be an option

@Tootle10 I'm in Midlands, want to swap with me

I had GD in last pregnancy but remained diet controlled, I didn't really understand and thought I was just unlucky to have it at bad level once when they checked.
Anyway, this pregnancy even with that being the case they say they don't do the test like usual because of covid so I need a blood test via midwife and then do my own finger prick at a certain time in between another blood test to determine whether I have it again.
Like others, different places seem to be treating differently.
I vote you do whatever you're comfortable with.

@Smurftastic there's an idea! It's madness that there is so much variation between trusts.