Some questions about the GD test.

[PumpkinZulu]

I'm coming up to the time I need to do the GD test. There is a family history of diabetes (although it was self inflicted, poor lifestyle, not hereditary) so that's why I'm doing it. I'm a tad worried, I don't expect it to come back positive as I'm healthy, good weight etc, but if it does I'll be moved into caseload and lose our Homebirth, and I can't have that.

So. I was going to book it in for 24 weeks, or should I wait a bit longer? The timescale is 24-26 yeah? I made sure I got a referal for the 2 hour tolerance test and skipped the 1 hour challenge test altoghether, as I've heard all too often that the one hour one comes back high in many cases anyway, only for people to go on to have the 2 hour test and they are fine. I'd rather not have that stress

Also, my midwife suggested I have a lower GI diet before the test, less sugars, more whole grains etc. We have a pretty good diet anyway, but it could improve. How long before the test should we ramp up our diet in preparation? One week, two? I *think* the midwife said a couple of weeks, but I cannot remember.

[butterfly_warrior]

I'm sooooo not the person to ask! My instructions every time have included a three-day carb binge before the test. Both for the two I did while pregnant and the two I did while not...

But I imagine it's not going to do any harm to change your diet in that way, so you could easily start with gradual changes now so that it becomes a normal thing and not just a change to prepare for the test that may become undone later.

BW

[PumpkinZulu]

Haha well she actually said a carb diet was good! Potatoes, pasta, breads! So you're doin' it right according to my midwife I don't think I'll be keeping many of the changes, except less sugar. Less sugar is always good

[sloane]

i think the prime testing time is 24-28 weeks.

i think that a low GI diet is a good one to follow most of the time, so any time would be good to get onto that i was never told to eat a certain way before the test

[didispunk]

I had GD with the boys but not my DD... and she is middle child.. nothing you can do or change it.. I remember when i first found out i was devastated... To later find out its common and not a HUGE deal.. Lots of help, education etc.. so dont stress.

Good luck

[Early Kids]

With DS1 I had it at 27+6 weeks, the stupid Dr put me down for the 3hr test grr. I didn't have to go on any special diets or anything. With DS2 I just did the challenge test and it was done about 28 weeks too.

Good luck x

[Melbournemumma]

I've done the 2 hr test a few times. Low gi is the diet to follow for diabetes. However you have to have a high carb diet for the 3 days prior to the test. They should tell you that when you book in. Then u fast from
Midnight the night before, so book the test for early in the day, otherwise you'll be starving .

I'm due to have mine at 26wks.

[Arimeh]

I've done it 3 times, at 28 weeks. Just the hour test, all came back fine.

I didn't follow a special diet either before testing.

This pregnancy I chose not to have the test.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I don't trust that test, a girlfriend of mine had it and came back positive - she is seriously THE most careful person with her diet, rides her horse every day, did everything textbook, and yet was diagnosed with GD. That just doesn't make sense to me

[PumpkinZulu]

Cathy Freeman has GD. That seemed weird to me lol. Unfortunately I need to do it or no HB I don't want to do it, I might look into not doing it if that's poss. Thanks ladies

[Taurean]

GD is a funny one. Although diet and lifestyle help keep diabetes at bay, it can and does strike anyone. I've had a few friends who have been fine with their first babies and diagnosed with GD with their second babies. I don't believe there is a typical stereotype for GD at all. Two friends who had it only with their second babies are both fit, trim and healthy women. I just think it's one of those 'things', at least it seems to be in some cases! Cathy Freeman is a prime example of that.

I only had the hour test and it was fine. No special diet or instructions beforehand either. I'm little and generally very healthy but my diet and amount of exercise was far from ideal during my PG due to 24/7 nausea until 16ish weeks (I lived on icy poles!) then terrible back, pelvis and groin pain from around 20 weeks!

[sloane]

GD is a funny one. Although diet and lifestyle help keep diabetes at bay, it can and does strike anyone. Cathy Freeman is a prime example of that.

there are certain groups more prone to GD - indigenous people are one of them. and then there's other factors like age on top of lifestyle & hereditary ones. but i agree that there are definitely people who seem to get it for no apparent reason!!

as an aside, i was interested to see cathy freeman being talked about as having type 2 diabetes. when GD isn't quite the same. i thought it would have been a great time to raise awareness in general about GD.

[Honeybee]

Hi PZ

I failed my glucose challenge, so had to have the GTT. I was terrified of being diagnosed - because then the Obs start freaking out about huge babies, induction at 38 weeks etc and I didn't want any of that nonsense. I completely understand how you feel wanting to pass the test, because there are all sorts of consequences for the birth if you're even a tiny bit over the limits they set.

I scheduled the GTT for a week after I found out my GC results, then really cut back on the carbs, ate no high GI carbs whatsoever and started swimming every day. My instructions were to have no less than 150g of carbs per day, I didn't check whether I did this or not. They certainly didn't say to binge on carbs to me!

I also made sure I had some low GI carbs with every meal - but v small amounts - 1/3 cup pasta etc with a meal that contained mostly protein and veg. And I had low GI carb snacks during the day - a vita wheat with a slice of cheese, an apple etc. I didn't touch anything sweet for that week. Passed the GTT with flying colours, and am sticking to the low GI diet now, but not quite as obsessively strictly.

Oh, I recommend the Burgen wholemeal and seeds bread - it's v low GI - lowest I've found, so I eat that in small quantities - a couple of slices a day.

Good luck with your GTT!!

[~me~]

I would just go with whatever you are doing, I am not sure about changing your diet to try and change a blood test result like GD?
I would rather do I what I would normally do and the if it came up positive, then have a plan of action.
Changing your diet prior to the blood test will possibly not change the result at all.
I would think it would be better just to think about having a correct diet all the way through your pregnancy, then if the test comes up possible GD and subsequent tests show you have it, then it would be easier to mangage if you have already made those dietary adjustments.
Good luck with the tests.

[black_rose]

I have to go with Heather, it's better to get true test results and deal with the gd if it comes back positive rather than trying to adjust the results.

I had gd with dd2 but not ds or dd1.

[FabFiona]

Hope it goes ok.

The only thing I would say about doing a special diet is that it can take a while to get the hang of it. So if you want to have a low GI diet before your test, best to start now.

[LionsandBears]

PZ - I agree with Heather. Stick to your normal diet. You're eating healthily anyway. I know you're afraid of losing the homebirth, but try not to focus on that.

I did my 2 hour test at 26 weeks and was fine. I was eating healthily, but didn't have a perfect diet. A friend did it at the same time. It's suspected she should have done it at 28 weeks, as it's likely she developed late GD.

Her bub came 3-4 weeks early, was very big with poor blood sugars and slow response and ended up in the nursery for 10 days. He did not look well in his photos. They realised his mum probably had GD.

I know it's not the case for all GD bubs, but there's a good reason for them to be born in a hospital and close to a SCU/NICU. Some of them can be very sick.

I don't mean to scare you. I just want you to focus on keeping your diet healthy. Don't try to 'trick' the test. You really do want to know for bub's sake if you have GD or not.

btw - I have family with Type 2 diabetes and i was fine despite being overweight.

[*Belle*]

hon I am overweight and my OB always makes me do the 3 hour test every time, This time we are doing it earlier at 26 weeks. My frist two pregnances didnt have GD, havent had the test this time yet. My pathology always gives me a diet to follow for 3 days before the test on what to eat, it maybe different in different states. I have to ring up and book the test and thats when they give me the diet over over the phone or if I see them personally before the test.