what is 3 hour glucose test

[eimperati]

well i failed my 1 hour test and now i have to go for my 3 hour...what do they do and what happens if i fail this one also..will it hurt my baby

[SarahB79]

Holycow, I didn't realize the one hour target was only 140... and thats after drinking the solution?  I think my 1 hour came back at 190 or something (I don't remember, it was 7 years ago).  More recently I had a 2 hour glucose for diabetes (not gestational)... My one hour came back 215 and my two our was 207,  I officially am diabetic now.  I really want to get pregnant, but I need to have this under control for several months first.  

[Diane1003]

My number was 146 for the 1hr test and the target was 140. I had to go for the 3 hr test and did fine.  Try to schedule it first thing in the morning b/c you'll have to fast before the test.  I went in, they did a blood draw to get a baseline glucose level, when that came back they gave me the solution (about 30 min after I arrived).  Then they drew blood on the hour for three hours.  After the test they told me to go have lunch and come back for the results.  My test was done in a lab at a hospital so I just went to the cafeteria quick.  They were able to tell me my results right there - I did fine - no further testing or anything.  I have a friend who failed her 1hr test so badly they didn't send her for the 3 hr test - she was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes right there.  She attended a class and met with a nutrutionist and had an otherwise healthy/normal pregnancy.  Good luck!

[eimperati]

they said it was a little high..they didn't give me a number

[SarahB79]

Did they tell you what your blood sugar reading was after your 1 hour?  

The 3 hour, they will take several blood samples to see what how your blood sugar adjusts over time after drinking the glucose solution.  

It won't hurt you or the baby... it's to protect you and the baby.  If you "fail" that one too, they will likely recommend you see a dietician and begin a restricted carb/sugar diet and add in simple exercising to control the "gestational diabetes".  It is VERY important to follow that diet and check your blood sugar several times a day to ensure you are staying on track.  The guidelines are much stricter for pregnant women than non pregnant diabetics as it can have a negative effect on your baby if too much sugar is constantly coming to your baby.  Large birth weights, increased c-section, birth defects, etc.  Not to scare you, but it's important to follow through.  I had gestational diabetes with my son.  8 lbs 8 oz.  I gained 24 lbs total due to the strict diet.  That was almost 7 years ago and I am recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes.  I am a little nervous about getting pregnant again until I have this back under control because I know the importance of maintainig my own health for the babies sake... and my own.  

Good luck!

[mamaofonetrying42]

the test is just like the one hour but you have to wait 3hours now. Im not to sure what they do if you fail this one as well.........