what do i do before my gestational diabetes test?

Posted by admin on Nov 15, 2009

do i have to fast or what?
my docter just told me to go to the lab at the docters office and have it done but i cant remember if she told me not to eat or drink anything before…?

can anyone help please?

If I remember correctly, it is a fasting test. You can’t eat or drink anything else before or after until the test is completed.

The drink you drink is full of sugar and tastes NASTY….like flat orange soda or flat fruit punch that is loaded with sugar.

And you have to tell the people that are doing your test that you are fasting……and make sure you look at the time when you drink it……they have to do the test w/in an hour of you drinking it…….and you have to drink it w/in 5-7 minutes…you can’t just sip on it for an hour. Which is a bummer. I just gulped it down because it was quicker.


Anyone had the gestational diabetes test?

Posted by admin on Nov 11, 2009

I am 24 weeks so I will be tested soon. I am AFRAID of needles & I have read if I fail the first test the second one requires blood being drawn several times within a few hours. DO they stick you 3 different times? Any advise?

You have nothing to be worried about. I did my first Gest. Diabetes test a few weeks ago. All you have to do is drink this small container of orange liquid (it tastes like flat orange soda so it’s better if you can keep it in the fridge) and then have your blood drawn exactly one hour after.

Having your blood drawn is not a big deal…just a small needle only once. If, however, you do not pass the test (and you’ll find out in about 2 days or so), then they do schedule you for the three hour test which is the exact same thing, but repeated every hour for three hours.

I wouldn’t worry about it…it’s quick and painless. If your afraid of needles, just look away and it’ll be over before you know it. Congratulations and good luck! You’ll be fine =0)


Anyone with gestational diabetes?

Posted by admin on Nov 11, 2009

Hi just a question for anyone who has suffered from gestational diabetes … during my pregnancy i got gestational diabetes – i was on 36 units of insulin 3 times a day by the end so it was not a pleasant time!! I was just wondering what the chances were of suffering with diabetes in my next pregnancy? Are there any mums out there who got diabetes in one pregnancy and not the next one?? or is it guaranteed that i will get it again?
Does anyone know how to reduce your chances of getting it? (I am not at all overweight and have normal BMI so don’t tell me to lose weight! lol)
Thanks in advance for your answers :)

Statistically, 60-90% of women who had Gestational Diabetes with a pregnancy will develop it in subsequent pregnancies. So, it is not guaranteed 100% that you will have it again, but the chances are fairly high that you will. The development of Gestational Diabetes is not based on anything you do or don’t do. It is true that older moms and overweight moms have a higher risk of developing Gestational Diabetes, this does not mean that all overweight older moms will develop it nor does it mean that young, skinny moms are protected from developing it. Gestational Diabetes develops due to the pregnancy hormone making your cells insulin resistant. In most women, their pancreas is able to produce more insulin to compensate for the insulin resistance, but in about 8-14% of women, their pancreas can not keep up with the additional need and Gestational Diabetes develops. Many women can control their blood glucose numbers with diet, but sometimes insulin is needed. I had Gestational Diabetes with my last pregnancy only. I worked closely with a nurse in the diabetic clinic who devised a meal plan for me. She taught me how to use the blood glucose monitor than at each prenatal visit she went over my numbers with me and adjusted my diet to help me stay consistent. I actually had more problems eating adequately so had low blood sugar issues more commonly than high numbers. I did not need insulin, though. I did not have a large baby. My daughter was born at 41 weeks weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces. I don’t believe there is a way to reduce your risk of developing Gestational Diabetes as there are too many variables that come in to play as to why some women develop it and others don’t. Hormones are one of the reasons Gestational Diabetes develops and we all know we can’t really control hormones.


confused about gestational diabetes counting carbs diet!?

Posted by admin on Nov 11, 2009

This is so confusing. I need to know if this is alright. I just started my gestational diabetes low-carb diet. My three meals a day range from 30-45g of carbs while my three snacks range from 15-30g of carbs. I don’t want to keep eating just turkey sandwiches and fruits and vegetables. Would it be ok if I ate the following, as long as it is within carbohydrate guidelines?

For example ..
(3) chicken strips from Sheetz w/ nacho cheese – 26g carbs, no sugar
Grilled chicken wrap from Sheetz w/ cheddar cheese, cooked peppers & onions, bacon, & tomatoes – 31g carbs, 3g sugars
McChicken from McDonald’s w/o the bun, mayo, & lettuce (just the plain chicken patty) – 10g carbs

Can I eat this stuff (obviously not at the same meal or anything) since it’s within the carb guidelines I am supposed to follow?

Also .. some more examples .. not that I want to eat this stuff daily or anything, just using these as examples ..
Low Carb Options (each under 10g* of carbs):
• Low Carb WHOPPER® Sandwich* • (3g)
• Low Carb WHOPPER® Sandwich w/ cheese* • (5g)
• Low Carb DOUBLE WHOPPER® Sandwich* • (3g)
• Low Carb DOUBLE WHOPPER® Sandwich w/ cheese* • (5g)
• Low Carb WHOPPER JR.® Sandwich* • (1g)
• Low Carb WHOPPER JR.® Sandwich w/ cheese* • (2g)
• Low Carb BK™ Double Stacker Sandwich* (5g)
• Low Carb BK™ Triple Stacker Sandwich* (6g)
• Low Carb BK™ Quad Stacker Sandwich* (6g)
** ALL WITHOUT THE BUN **

My numbers weren’t that bad they said, they didn’t give me exacts though, I’m going to ask them next time I go in. I’m not asking you to verify if my diet is good — I just want to know if I am counting carbs for a diabetic diet could I eat this stuff since the carbs are within guidelines? Obviously not for every meal every day, but maybe one meal a week or something like that.

Just to add — my levels today were -
Fasting – 81
1 hour after breakfast – 103
1 hour after lunch – 105
(didn’t have dinner yet .. and YES my doctor has me monitor ONE hour after a meal, not two!)
ok no need to lecture me on fast food alright i believe i clearly stated above that i do not eat this every day nor do i have any intentions on it i was just asking a simple question

I had gestational 3 years ago…
my numbers werent that bad either…..I only had to do diet as do u.
I would eat from Wendy’s a child’s meal and a side salad almost daily for lunch and I was fine…..
Actually the nutritionist had me try this and it worked fine….and sometimes I would sneak in a half of a choc chip muffin and it was still fine.
Take Care and good luck.
Sounds like ur doing great.
Machelle


I have anxiety about my gestational diabetes test?

Posted by admin on Nov 6, 2009

I have really bad anxiety and just by drinking soda or anything really sugary, I get anxiety attacks. I can kinda control them but I hate getting them. Is the drink really high in sugar?

don’t worry the drink they have you drink isnt great but it isnt to bad. It’s like a orange flavored sugar water. I just chugged mine to get it over with.


If you get gestational diabetes do you have to take insulin or can it be monitored with pills and diet?

Posted by admin on Nov 6, 2009

Are women always required to take insulin for gestational diabetes?

Your practitioner will monitor you closely and you’ll most likely be able to keep your blood sugar levels under control with diet and exercise, and by getting insulin shots if you need them.

If you’re unable to keep your blood sugar under control or it’s high enough that you need insulin, or if you have any other risk factors, you’ll probably begin to have fetal heart monitoring (nonstress tests) or periodic ultrasounds around 32 weeks to check on your baby’s well-being. (This kind of ultrasound is called a biophysical profile.) If you can keep your diabetes well under control without insulin and you have no other problems, you might not begin these tests until your last few weeks or until your due date.

Your practitioner may also order an ultrasound around 29 to 33 weeks to measure your baby and estimate his weight. At that point, if your baby is already getting too big, you might be started on insulin. She may order another one closer to labor if she suspects your baby is large, but ultrasound is not usually very accurate at determining a baby’s size late in pregnancy. Depending on your circumstances, you might be induced before your due date, or your practitioner may recommend delivering by c-section.


Are there any sites which give a "Sample" diet for gestational diabetes?

Posted by admin on Nov 3, 2009


An excellent site is www.blueribbonbaby.org


How will be the weight gain in the women with gestational diabetes….?

Posted by admin on Oct 30, 2009

I am about 33 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed gestational diabetes in my 28th week. Now I am controlling my sugar levels with the diet given by the doctor. I did not gain any weight since 4 weeks with this diet. My total weight gain in 33 weeks is 20 pounds. But I am worrying that did not gain any weight during these 4 weeks with Gest.Diabetes diet…Can somebody help me in this…?

if you are overweight, you don’t have to worry about not gaining weight during pregnancy if you’re following the gestational diabetic diet – the diet is taking off the fat, but your baby is still getting the nutrition it needs.


What is the best flavor for the gestational diabetes test?

Posted by admin on Oct 27, 2009

And did you vomit after drinking it?
Did you pass or fail?

it seems like everyone is saying orange, however, I had to take it twice, the first time I was given the orange, it is SUPER SWEET, all most too much, the second, I had the fruit punch, it taste like Hawaiian fruit punch, not bad, but the key is to down it!
Good Luck!


What is the best flavor for the gestational diabetes test?

Posted by admin on Oct 27, 2009

And did you vomit after drinking it?
Did you pass or fail?

it seems like everyone is saying orange, however, I had to take it twice, the first time I was given the orange, it is SUPER SWEET, all most too much, the second, I had the fruit punch, it taste like Hawaiian fruit punch, not bad, but the key is to down it!
Good Luck!