High sugar test

[mommytotwo]

I was just told that my sugar test was high, so I need to go and take another test.
Has this happened to anyone else while they were pregnant? If so, what do you recommend? I need to go back and take the 3 hour test which means that they will need me to drink that sugary drink 3 times, and take my blood 3 different times.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I was gestational diabetic with my middle child around my 7th month. I never had to take insulin, I controlled it by diet. When I became pregnant with my 3rd, I used the diet from the beginning, and never had a high reading.

Take a book. It's a long 3 hours and they don't want you up walking around. That drink is hard to get down!

 

[AllyandJack]

I had that test done, but I didn't have to drink the stuff 3 times. I had the first blood test, drank the stuff, then had my blood done every hour for the next 3 hours. I was on the same schedule with a pregnant woman and she was doing the same thing - she didn't have to drink it every hour.

Do you have to fast for it? I remember I was so thirsty by the time I got there, I was actually happy to drink the stuff.

Good luck....I hope it all turns out OK. I read that the initial test is over-inclusive and most of the time the long test works out OK.

 

[mickeyboat]

I failed my one hour test, but passed the three hour one. I think it's fairly common.

And you only have to drink the stuff once, then they draw blood every hour for three hours.

I actually liked the taste of the stuff!

Denae

 

[DisneyDotty]

Another one who failed the one-hour test but passed the 3-hour test. I remember feeling kinda queasy (must've had to fast) and then having to drink that orange sugary liquid, and then getting poked 3 times...
Seems like they could come up with a better way by now!
Good luck--most women I've known who had gestational diabetes managed it fine with diet.

 

[becjlek]

I had gestational diabetes with both my boys. my youngest is 14 now and I am just fine.

 

[jennyl772003]

I failed my original test and had to take the 3 hour. I only had to drink the junk once (it's carbonated to make it taste better they told me. Um, why do they think fizzy sugar syrup tastes better then non fizzy sugar syrup?)

It really wasn't bad. Make sure to bring reading material. They won't want you walking around.

 

[Tracey1974]

I failed my original test and had to take the 3 hour. I only had to drink the junk once (it's carbonated to make it taste better they told me. Um, why do they think fizzy sugar syrup tastes better then non fizzy sugar syrup?)

It really wasn't bad. Make sure to bring reading material. They won't want you walking around.

I read my "what to expect" book- very tiring after you get that sugar high!

It tastes like a melted orange ice pop- ugh I can still remember it. I failed my 1st one and passed the 4 hour one. I looked like a heroin addict after it was all done because they couldn't ever find my veins!

Of course the thing I craved was Hi-C fruit punch and regular coke. I stopped drinking both after the first test and I was fine for the duration of the pregnancy.

Good luck!

 

[mommytotwo]

They told me not to eat anything from midnight of the following night.
I wasn't told that I had to stay there for 3 hours, but what am I going to do for that long. Read, read, read, and more reading.

I was lucky that after drinking that stuff yesterday, that I was able to leave and then go back there in an hour to take my blood.

 

[MorganLeFey]

for my first pregnancy, 16 years ago, I failed the instant test in the docotr's office, and he sent me for the three hour test. I passed the three hour test.

didn't have a problem with the second pregnancy, 14 years ago.

and now I've got two teenagers making me crazy...

the joys of parenting....

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I passed the first 3 hr test but my OB sent me for another because of a strong family hx of diabetes and because I had two placentas, each of which secretes anti-insulin hormone, in effect lowering the amount of insulin in my bloodstream. I missed it by literally a few points but nonetheless I was dx'd with gestational diabetes which was diet controlled for the duration of my pregnancy.

It made sense a few years later when I discovered I had PCOS/insulin resistance. I am happy my OB pushed the issue, because that diagnosis led me to be more assertive about investigating the PCOS. My endocrionologist said had I not gotten treatment for PCOS I was almost certainly going to be diabetic in the future. Now, with treatment, my chances are just like everyone else's. So it's really in your best interest to figure it out one way or the other.

While this was going on, someone I know told me I should go to her doctor, because she wouldn't make me do all these tests, and would basically do "whatever I wanted". I told her no thanks, I'll stick with mine. Oh yes, her doctor later lost her license.

P.S. The orange drink isn't too bad.

 

[mommytotwo]

Does anyone know what will or might happen if I don't pass the test?
What sort of foods should I try to eat more of and stay away from, till the date of my test? I was told to stay away from sugar, pies, breads, and starch.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

On our Breast Cancer Survivor's thread we have a saying: don't bleed before you're shot. You may be just fine. But since you asked...

Carbohydrates break down into sugar, especially the simple/refined carbohydrates like white bread, rice, pasta, sweets, etc - so you would want to limit those, or in fact, switch altogether to...

Complex carbohydrates like green vegetables, whole grains, fruits which are better for you (good for all of us, in fact) - in moderation, of course. And make sure that along with carbohydrates you get protein as well.

Here is a link which will help explain: http://www.webmd.com/hw/diabetes_1_2/uq1125.asp

Close to where I live there is a high Asian population. My team told me that many Asian women - even those who are "thin" - are diagnosed with gestational diabetes because their diet contains lots of rice, pasta, etc. It's really all about a healthy, well-balanced diet, and portion control.

Good luck.

 

[mommytotwo]

Thank you Pea-n-Me. I do eat alot of rice so I will have to watch myself on that along with snacking.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You're welcome. Believe it or not, a serving of rice is about 1/3 of a cup. Not much when you think about it. Just being aware of these things and making some small changes can go a long way.

 

[mommytotwo]

Yup, I need to figure out what types of foods, I should be eatting more and less of.

 

[ahutton]

Don't worry so much about snacking, but do watch what you snack on. I passed the 3 hour with DD#2 but failed with DS(baby #3!!). I was told to make sure I ate my 3 meals and that they contained a good amount of protein and low starch veggies (watch potato, carrots, corn). Dairy is fine but watch the yogurt and smoothies as they are VERY high in sugar. Cheese is a great snack, as are nuts. Make sure you eat at night before bed - just something small. I found a tablespoon or two of peanut butter worked great and keeping my sugar where it needed to be.

A little exercise is great too, but watch if they do diagnose you and put you on meds. I had several instances where I became hypoglycemic (sugar falls too low) and if I had not been very aware of the signs and known what to do I could have gotten very sick. My sugar fell the lowest if I didn't eat enough dinner or if I exercised in the evening. At about midnight I would get in trouble. Those little packets of honey they have in most coffee shops are lifesavers!!

 

[mommytotwo]

Don't worry so much about snacking, but do watch what you snack on. I passed the 3 hour with DD#2 but failed with DS(baby #3!!). I was told to make sure I ate my 3 meals and that they contained a good amount of protein and low starch veggies (watch potato, carrots, corn). Dairy is fine but watch the yogurt and smoothies as they are VERY high in sugar. Cheese is a great snack, as are nuts. Make sure you eat at night before bed - just something small. I found a tablespoon or two of peanut butter worked great and keeping my sugar where it needed to be.

A little exercise is great too, but watch if they do diagnose you and put you on meds. I had several instances where I became hypoglycemic (sugar falls too low) and if I had not been very aware of the signs and known what to do I could have gotten very sick. My sugar fell the lowest if I didn't eat enough dinner or if I exercised in the evening. At about midnight I would get in trouble. Those little packets of honey they have in most coffee shops are lifesavers!!

If I have high blood sugar, shouldn't I watch what I eat more closely and also try not to eat as much. How would I know where my sugar needed to be. How would my sugar fall to low? This is the first time I am dealing with a high sugar count, any info. would be helpful.
Thank you on the food tips.

 

[kuusimo]

With both of my boys I was gestational and on insulin. If you do fail the 3 hour test, you will meet with a nutritionist. She will help you based on your weight and past history with food design a plan for you to eat. Basically it is about balancing proteins with the carbs. Never eat just a carb. Always have a protein with every meal. Another important item is to eat every 2-3 hours. So for example my "sample" meal plan for the day was:
(1 protein=7 grams protein, 1 carb=15 grams carbs)
B- 2 proteins and 2 carbs
S- 1 protein & 1 carb
L- 2 proteins, 2 carbs, 1 fruit + veggies
s- 1 protein, 1 carb,
D- 2 protein, 2 carbs, 1 fruit + veggies
S- 1 protein, 1 carb, 1 fruit

I cannot have milk since I am lactose intolerant. That would have been figured into some of those carbs areas. Veggies were permitted at each meal. I was also allowed so many fats per day, but this should give you an idea as to a sample meal schedule. They met with me after one week to see how I was doing on the diet, if I felt like I was getting enough food... One thing that they did tell me was to not eat any fruit before lunch time. For some reason it really was not good for gestational diabetes.

Excercise is also really important. That really lowered my sugars and helped me lower my amount of insulin I needed to take in. My biggest problems were in the mornings.

I hope this helps. It is really good to eat this way during your pregnancy anyway. The healthier you eat before you deliver, the healthier your baby is after.

Good luck. The drink tasted like a sweet crush soda. They also asked me to eat three candy bars (one candy bar per day the three days before my test). Did not know what that was about, but ok...

 

[kuusimo]

If I have high blood sugar, shouldn't I watch what I eat more closely and also try not to eat as much. How would I know where my sugar needed to be. How would my sugar fall to low? This is the first time I am dealing with a high sugar count, any info. would be helpful.
Thank you on the food tips.

You will know if your blood sugar drops low by a couple ways. The most acurate is to test it. This is not all that pleasant, but it has improved a lot over the past 5 years. If it is below a certain number then you have "permission" to drink some juice or eat something that will boost your numbers. If it gets too low you can get dizzy, pass out, feel light headed... They will go over everything with you and give you material to go over. It did not happen to me at all with two pregnancies.