What happens at a Gestational Diabetes test ?

[bikerunski]

I have one on Tuesday next week.
Slightly concerned about getting there as I feel faint and sick in the mornings until I have had something to eat, and am not allowed to eat from 11pm the previous night. I'll be OK I think, but might splash out on a taxi.

Anyway, what does the test involve?

Also, do some hospitals do them as routine ? I thought it was only if you normally had a high BMI, which I don't.

take blood, drink, go away & kill time, take more blood
iirc

IIRC you'll have a blood test when you get there, drink a foul sweet drink, wait around 2 hours (take a book or something - I went and sat in the car as I wasn't allowed anything to eat or drink) and then have another blood taken.

Then I had a coffee and a kit-kat

The criteria varies I think
I was told I would get one because of family history of diabetes
Then told that wasn't the case
Then they found sugar in my urine so I had one anyway

Think it depends on family history (why I had one), routine tests showing something up, high BMI etc

You go and have blood taken - given a glucose drink and usually you have to sit and wait for 2 hours so that you don't burn calories etc - then you have another blood test and I got given a voucher for something to eat.

a voucher
I want my voucher!!

You should really fast for 12 hours before a GTT, so am surprised that you have only been told to do so from 11pm.

As others have said, a blood test (poss a finger prick one as well as a take blood and send off for analysis one), a glucose drink, sitting around for 2 hours (take a book) and then another blood test (send away for analysis one).

Routine reasons for testing can include high BMI, previously large baby (recommendation is 9lb 4oz), family history, previous GD, or glucose found in routine urine test.

If you get a +ve result then pop over and join us on the support thread for those with GD.

How many weeks are you?

Oh, and if you do throw up, the test will be abandoned and you'll have to re-do it on another day. Happened to me.