Gestational Diabetes Test

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Dink

Registered User
I would welcome any advice on this. Going through the public hospital antenatal system all pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes regardless of risk factors/symptoms. I have an appointment for a test next week. My question is, is this really necessary/helpful? Those mums seeing private doctors just have this test if there are some indicators they may have this condition is that right? Is this a standard test in other parts of the world? The test sounds horrible and I'd rather avoid it if possible but if its best for the health of the baby then obviously I will do it... Any thoughts/experiences? (By the way, I am also seeing a private doctor but he is on holiday this week so I can't ask him about this).

Thanks in advance.
 
I had my 3 children in the States and both times I had the test, around 28 weeks. We only moved at 30 weeks (so first test was actually in Europe) but my first measured ahead and they wanted to make sure I didn't have GD which I didn't. Twins are also higher risk for GD but again I passed the 1 hour test (they'll do a 3 hour one if you fail the 1 hour one, at least in the States). My twins also measured 2 weeks ahead and were also born above average (close to 8lbs a piece at 38 weeks). I don't think the test was a big deal, just drink some sweet 7-Up type stuff, wait for an hour and blood test before and after, that's it. Having GD can have complications for your child so it's always good to read up on that too before possibly declining the test.

HTH.
 
Hey Catherine
we can discuss it further when i see you next but basically this is a normal test in Europe but it seems you can have it here only if you go public or if you have any problem.

My doctor here says I do not need it since I am relatively young, with no history of diabetes in the family and the baby growth is normal. However checking with my doctor in Italy he says I should have it anyway as precauscion (sorry not sure about the spelling) so he will do one next when I will be there.

There are a couple of ppl I know that did last week (both admitted is not pleasant but berable), if you want i can get you in touch with them for further question.

Anyway, I am really bored so let me know if I can help any further.

Tibi x
 
Sounds like I need to toughen up and just do it. Its a 9 o'clock start and 2 hour test, and they never see you on time... that's what puts me off really, its a bit pathetic but I've normally eaten at least 2 meals in that time! Plus over the last few weeks I've grown to hate visiting the Tsan Yuk as I always walk out feeling worse than when I went in. But, I will go and do the test. Thanks for your advice ladies.
 
I had the test as matter of course with my private obst in Australia with both of my pregnancies. It's no biggie. You'll be fine, and you'll know that your baby will be too. It's worth it I reckon.
 
They should see right on time to draw blood, especially after the test otherwise it's worthless. In my old US office they put a kitchen timer on to make sure they don't miss you! So definitely go ask the nurse if you're not seen after 2 hours!
 
I went through this at tsan yuk earlier this year.....

you turn up at 9, they take your 1st blood by about 9.15, you then have a 3hour wait(!!!!!) and then they take more blood.... I got out about 12.30, by which point I felt awful. If I was doing this again I think I would check/ talk through this with my private doc, and if not high risk I dont think I would bother..... it really was the low point of my pregnancy.... but thats just my experience...... I was never very good at missing meals even before pregnancy.

Good luck
 
I honestly didn't think the test was a big deal. I had GD tests (privately) with both pregnancies. Sure, I felt a bit yuck without having breakfast, the sugar water you need to drink is VERY sweet, and blood tests are never terribly pleasant, but all in all it was only a few hours. I took a book to read and something to eat the minute the final blood test was taken. Even if you do not have any risk factors for GD, there is still a chance you may develop it and I personally would rather have known and been able to treat it. (I did not have it, btw)
 
Nic - you've confirmed my fears! I've just checked and its a 3 hour test they want me to do :-( Its not the test itself that bothers me, I'm sure an hour in a private doctor's office would be fine, its doing the test at the public hospital that puts me off.... oh well, just have to deal with it I guess. I am going to try going early in the hopes I'll get to the front of the queue and get out a.s.a.p!

Catherine
 
I did the test 2 weeks ago through the public system - wondered how I would survive not eating that long (haha) anyway, it was just fine. Although prepare yourself that the syrup drink is really really sweet.

I made sure I was there 1/2 hr early to be at the front of the queue and I took my laptop so I could work whilst waiting. Being there early I think saved me about an hour in the long run.

The great thing about the public system is that they have the whole process completely set up as a system, I did feel somewhat like a sheep but I trust that they are very thorough.

From experience they seem to be over cautious in public in the long run that has got to be better for us mums to be huh?

I too protested loudly at having the test done as I didnt want to sacrifice the time from work. I was informed that the test is standard for:

Women over 35
Women with babies previously born over 4kg (thats me)
Women with history or family history of diabetes
Women who have gained weight in the top 25% of weight gain on the chart for time of pregnancy
Women who have had variable sugar tests (urine test).

Hope that helps...

You will be just fine, take a good book if you have one:flower::flower:
 
I did it a few months ago at Tsan Yuk too. I agree with TeamNZ - get there EARLY because it'll get you a better spot in the queue and you'll save time. Bring something to read or something to do. It might make you nauseous - it made me nauseous... but I did want to make sure that I didn't have it for the sake of my baby - I didn't have ANY of the symptoms... but I do have family history of diabetes, so I wanted the test just to be sure...
 
Just make sure you take a snack for as soon as you finish, you'll be fine.
Don't fear the worst, but I would agree get there early perhaps that was my mistake, I then spent time clock watching worrying about getting back to work!
 
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