Refusing GTT test

[gonewithtthewind]

Has anyone refused the GTT test?
I just want to start by saying I have TRIED to do the rest 3 times, I've fasted like asked but if I don't eat I throw up so each time I've made myself I'll all day. I've drank the drink and less than an hour in I've thrown it all back up so had to do the rest again.
They still want me to try again tomorrow; I've said I can't do it and don't want to try again but I'm happy to do it a different way. Unfortunately they don't seem to be listening and are saying I'm refusing care and putting my baby's health at risk. I would do the test if I could, I just physically can't do it. I'm getting really fed up with not being listened to and told I'm putting my baby at risk, which I would never do. I don't know where to go from here?
I have no symptoms of gestational diabetes, my only risk factor is the fact both my parents have diabetes but they only developed it later on in life. Never had it when they were younger.

I would try again.
I had GD 2nd pregnancy no risk factor other then parent with type 2 from 48 years old. I had a healthy BMI etc.

They are right undiagnosed and uncontrolled GDD is a serious risk to your baby it's not just a case of risk of having s big baby. It's potential breathing issues, shoulder displacia on birth, heart issues.
Unfortunately genetics is a major precursor.

If you fail it again then speak to the diabetic team and get a reader to monitor your blood sugars to determine if you do have it.

I strongly recommend the Gestational diabetes UK Facebook page and website

Hi @gonewithtthewind. I have HG and am unable to keep anything down in a morning (despite medication). My midwife has said that she is happy to do the blood test instead, which was routine in the UK during the pandemic. I would recommend speaking to your midwife and ask what alternatives there are for you. If you have tried and have been unsuccessful (not just refusing for no reason) I think they should be reasonable in finding an alternative for you. I may be lucky and just have a fab midwife but if it was good enough for all pregnant women in the UK during the pandemic then I trust it’s a good enough alternative for me. 😄 Good luck!

I refused a GTT as I had HG. Not a chance I would manage it so no point trying. I had a sensible discussion with my midwife about alternative ways to monitor the risk of GD, including more frequent blood tests and urine dips. There are other options so push back if you are not happy with what they are suggesting.

I have seen on here when others were not able to stomach the drink they were given a mars bar instead. Would you find that easier? Maybe ask if that is an option?

You can ask for an Hba1c and Random plasma glucose blood tests instead. It's not "gold standard" but can be used to diagnose GDM. It's so mean they are making you retake the test again !!

I would recommend asking if you can test your blood in the morning and after meals (without changing your diet) for a week in the same way as you have to test if you have GD. Having parents with type 2 diabetes, even developed later in life is a major risk factor. I only had one parent with type 2 diabetes later in life and ended up with GD. Had no symptoms before diagnosis. It’s important to find out if you have it as you can then modify your diet and take medication if need be.

For those recommending the Hba1c test this will not be accurate at diagnosing GD if you only developed it recently. Lots of women will have missed out on a diagnosis and had their babies put at risk as a result of not offering the GTT test during the pandemic. Testing your blood for a week or so after meals and first thing in the morning is a much better option if you can’t do the GTT test (and better than the GTT if GD is strongly suspected since you don’t have to subject your baby to a huge sugar rush).

I've had GD with both my pregnancies (healthy, late 20s at the time) with my first I had the drink, with my second I couldn't as my sickness is so bad, but I had a blood test and then 7 days of readings at home 4 times a day which confirmed I had it again.

I was sick just fasting before I even got the drink, my midwife suggested having a repeated hba1c and random spot glucose checks. My only risk factor is mum who had GD then later developed when older. I was unsure about this as have a good understanding of diabetes due to my job and it's not accurate to rule out just on those tests as a PP said. So I bought a monitor and tested myself for a week, these readings actually came back slightly high (despite normal hba1c X2). Midwives gave me a monitor and I was lower using that monitor but had 2 slightly higher readings so they actually diagnosed GD, then a HBAC1 I had done at 27 weeks came back borderline. My readings are generally good even not strictly following the diet, growth scans all good, so I'm not entirely sure I do have GD but they are still treating me as though I do, which is better than being left undiagnosed I guess!

Can you ask to monitor your blood sugars??
My only risk factor was that my sister had GD and she is higher risk because of poly cystic ovaries.
Had no symptoms and no sugar in my urine. My HBA1C, random and fasting was perfect as well. So I wouldn't have been diagnosed with it for those tested @PinkPrawns2
My baby was small for gestational age due to my placenta being affected by gestational diabetes.
If it was up to me all women would be tested for it. It's something that's missed a lot and I know quite a few ladies and babies it's been missed and they've been quite poorly towards end of pregnancy and when baby was born.

I couldn't do the GTT due to having had gastric surgery. I did fingerprick testing for a week in all 4 pregnancies instead. I'm surprised they're not offering you that option.

I was too late in pregnancy for GTT apparently so had to finger prick test my blood for 5 days and phone them with the results, ask if you can do that?

I had 2 GTTs when I was pregnant as I had glucose in my urine. I passed them both but it turns out I did have GD. I wasn't diagnosed until 37 weeks and only after I had more glucose in my urine so had to do daily testing.
DD was only 6lb 10 so not all GD babies are big.
I'd ask about doing the finger prick testing.

Definitely request fingerprick blood glucose monitoring. It would be best to rule out GD as it does come with risks, and it can have a genetic element. Unfortunately it sounds like luck of the draw of the attitude of the health professional you end up seeing in pregnancy (I say this as a 2nd time pregnant health professional) and this depends on what care you get offered. Be firm that you are not refusing care but looking at an alternative as this testing does not suit you. Hope you can get this sorted x

Im booked in for my test tomorrow morning. It’s standard for everyone where I am. Lucky I have 8 am appointment so hoping this is less of a problem with fasting. In my first pregnancy they gave me a bottle of lemon juice along with the drink to help it go down! Helped a lot! Maybe worth a try? I confirmed that they would again….otherwise I would have brought some with me.

I've always refused and used a blood sugar finger prick testing kit a couple of times each pregnancy. It's not compulsory!

I had mine today and drank a bottle of lucozade instead of the proper stuff, maybe with asking?