Should I get the gestational diabetes test?

[Anna8779]

My doctor scheduled a glucose screening test for next week, and I'm not sure if I want to have it done or not. I honestly don't know that much about it, so I'd love your advice and opinions.

First of all, not that I don't like doctors, but I hate the fact that they do all these unnecessary tests. I'm 21, and my first child weighed 7lbs. I don't have anyone in my family with diabetes, and I'm not overweight. I don't have any of the risk factors. My doctors test my urine every time I have an appointment, and my blood pressure, and everything has always been normal. When the doc mentioned the test, I made it very clear that I was unhappy about it, but I didn't refuse. He did nothing to explain why he thought it was necessary, or how important it is. He didn't even give me a choice. (Although I know I could have refused.) That frustrated me, because I think it's important for them to discuss things so that you understand, and give you the chance to make an educated decision. With all these 8 minutes appointments, they seem in such a rush to get out of there, and don't take the time to explain. Anyways, I don't know if I'm just so frustrated that I'm being unreasonable, but I'd like to ask your opinion on the matter.

[kay1027]

I have GD and I honestly think its stupid how they make you do it. You drink sugar and you sit for an hour and they wonder why yours is high. But I have been keeping my sugar at bay and been working out just to make sure my baby girl is okay. But once I give birth to her I am getting me some cake and ice cream lol. But I rather them tell me I have it and keep and eye on my baby then not do the test at all and me loose my baby.

[aadddd]

I'm a complete hippie so I'm with you on unnecessary testing. My only issue is they have a very low threshold for what passes for the 1 hour test. If you fail it you'll have to do it again and wait 3 hours and what fails on that is a lot higher. Most of us don't down food with that much sugar the. Just sit still for an hour. We eat a.normal meal and we move we do things and if you have kids you move a lot. I think the reason behind the test if great but the execution of it is really messed up. I had a friend who's doctor only did the 1 hour test and she failed and they refused to retest her they put on insulin and she ended up in the er because she really didn't have it. Like I said there are issues with test but it can save lives. All I can say is do your research and ask your doctor

[Michele, Katy, TX]

As other have said, Gestational Diabetes is just that.  It is Diabetes during pregnancy.  It goes away after you give birth.  But if you had it and it weren't controlled, it can be dangerous to your baby and like Joy said, it is a very simple test :)  Now, that is not to say that a person can't develop Diabetes later after giving birth.  It can happen at anytime but I was just referring to the Gestational Diabetes.

[Anna8779]

Well, as much as I hate tests, I would hate to have complications, and make my baby sick. Thanks to all who responded, and for your advice.

[ziggysgrl0724]

Anna- I have been pregnant 3 times.....first 2 I had no problems and the GD test was the last thing I was worried about.  Well, it turned out I did have GD with my last pregnancy and trust me, it is something that you need to know.  I managed mine pretty well with diet, and I gave birth to very healthy girl weighing 7lbs 13oz.  The nurses didn't even believe I had based on how healthy she was.  They said that most babies they deliver have mothers that didn't care or didn't control it, and they have seen very sick babies, and they have even seen stillborns/babies who die shortly after birth.  it may seem unnecessary to you, but trust me, it is anything but.

[Whitneylauren]

I agree with all the other women here, although you may not like it, a GD test is absolutely necessary. This is the same for all the tests your doctor does during your pregnancy. There is nothing wrong with taking precautions and preventing possible problems. I promise that your doc is not sadistic- he/she does everything for a reason! ;)

[tarrah87]

AS MANY STATED, MANDATORY TESTS AND CAN LEAD TO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS AND COMPLICATIONS... JUST BC YOU ARE HEALTHY AND NO RISK FACTORS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T GET IT MY BEST FRIEND ENDED UP WITH GD AND WAS VERY HEALTHY AND NO RISK FACTORS EITHER,  AND GREAT AT EVERY APPT BUT IT DOES NEED TO BE DONE.

[jenkaye21]

Well, I don't know about Anna, but *I* have learned a lot!  I guess it's just one more needle to suffer through. ((sigh))

[GRose]

I believe this test is mandatory and it is VERY necessary. It is a very simple non-evasive test, you need to have it done.

[JoyRenee]

It is a mandatory test to make sure you don't have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes DURING pregnancy. Some women can also develop diabetes after pregnancy if they have GD.

It is important to test for this because it can also lead to other problems and complications if you have it and do not deal with it.

It's a very simple test. You drink a sugary glucose drink. After an hour they will draw your blood.

[Darkestlight]

You NEED to take it. Risk factors or not. Every pregnancy is different. Just because a previous pregnancy didnt have it doesnt mean u won't. I get GD every time I'm pregnant for other reasons, but I know what it does to the baby when u have it.
My DD 3 weeks early was 7lb 3 oz. If you develop it and its not managed your baby will come out and u wont be able to hold it immediately cause it will be on meds cause its sugar will bottom out. It wont necessarily appear in your urine if u have it either. That is a bodies last resort to expel sugar, through urine. So you can have GD and it never appear in ur urine.

[evthing4reason]

I had no history or any symptoms but i failed the glucose test and after 2 weeks of trying to control it with diet had to be put on insulin

[nsrchofbaby]

I personally think that even though you don't have any of the risk factors, you also have nothing to lose by taking precaution. It's a simple test that'll help reassure you and your doctor that everything that can be done for your child is done. If you have any questions regarding the procedure itself or the benefits of the test, you can contact your OB's office and ask someone to explain it to you, don't let them get away with pushing your concerns aside. Again, even if you're certain there's no history of diabetes in your family or feel you're not at risk, you have nothing to lose by taking the test. We also had NO history of diabetes in my family and yet I now have an 11 year old diabetic nephew. Just a thought. Good luck.

[jenkaye21]

I have had three pregnancies, and the glucose test was always ordered as if mandatory.  I never even thought to refuse it, although like you, I have NO risk factors and think its completely unneccessary.

I agree that many pointless tests are done.  Just today I took my 3 yr old for a lead test, even though we've NEVER lived anywhere w/lead paint.  Put him through that bloodwork just because day care required it.

I would call your Dr. and ask before you go through with it, if you really would rather not.
You've got me thinking, now, that I should ask if it is absolutely neccessary when I get to that point! =)