I just found out that I "flunked" the short GD test and now have to take the 3-hour test. Normal counts are 55-139, and I was at 156. I knew it was going to come out high because I felt so funky after drinking the glucose drink - lightheaded and thirsty. Here's my question: Who out there has flunked the short test but "passed" the long test and not been diagnosed with GD?
Although I was overweight before becoming pregnant, I've gained only 4.5 pounds now at 25 weeks. This is especially frustrating because I already eat pretty healthily: only wheat pasta and whole grain cereal, very rare desserts, few white starches, very little junk food, only lean protein and dairy, no sodas. Any shared experiences would be appreciated.
Results from the 3-hour test are in: I PASSED! In fact, my doctor said my results were very normal. I told him that the first test made me sick but the 3-hour test didn't; he said that was strange because the 3-hour test actually has more sugar in it. Maybe because I was fasting, the baby just gobbled up all that sugar! :o)
Thanks to all who shared their stories and support!
I flunked the short test! The long test is easier I think. It takes a longer time, but it's not like you have to continue to drink the juice. You drink it once and then you get blood drawn every 30-60 min. Good luck, you probably don't have diabetes. It just a strange test.
I to failed my first test and passed my second, No Worries
I failed my short test too, but passed the long test. Unlike you, I gained a LOT of weight during pregnancy. Don't worry too much about it... worry makes your body produce cortisol which raises your blood sugar even more. ;-)
Even if you are diagnosed with GD, there's nothing that says you'll have it after you deliver. Your body just may need a little extra insulin to get you and your baby the energy you both need.
Good luck!
Hi K.,
I failed the short test for GD but passed my long test. I was told to just watch my diet and exercise more even though I was not diagnosed with GD. I wish you luck and congats on your pregnancy!
When I was PG 7 years ago. I got a 154 on the short test. I went to this diet class at the hospital and followed the advice to a T. I ate lean cusine and healthy choice. The long test I did really good on but it was 2 or more months later. My advice just go to a class and see what they have to say. You might be eatting too much of a healthy thing. Thats what I was doing.
K. - I "flunked" both tests, even though my diet was healthy as well and I have never been overweight. It's not really a matter of diet, some women just do not produce enough insulin to keep up with the food intake while pregnant - it's totally a hormonal/chemical thing. I was diagnosed with GD, got some education about managing blood sugar by combining starches with protein, tested my blood sugar regularly and had no further problems. I had a healthy daughter almost 2 years ago and have had no diabetic problems since then. Hope this helps...
S.
Somehow I didn't see your request until now, so I'm not sure if you are still looking for advice...Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that during the initial "short" glucose tolerance test, my number was too high, so I had to take the 3-hr test. However, those results turned out fine, all within normal. The doc just told me to continue to limit starches (carbs) and sugars as usual - basically eat healthy. I was overweight when I became pregnant this time. This is my 2nd child - I wasn't as overweight with my first one and my counts were higher during that first pregancy, so I was actually considered borderline gestational. This time, my doctor is calling it "borderline glucose intolerant" and not quite gestational. Anyway, I hope all went well!!!
I had GD. Chances are when you flunk the short test, you will flunk the long test too. Your diet is healthy for a person without diabetes, but the bread, pasta, and cereal are all starches and are allowed only in very small amounts if you have diabetes. Sweet desserts are out of the questions, but you can have limited fruits and yogurt and some sugar-free low-starch treats. My GD was treated by dietary changes, and went away when I delivered my child. It has been 14 years, and I've not developed diabetes, although I was told it could possibly develop as the years passed, especially since it runs in my family. I get tested for it every few years. Anyway, if you do have GD, you will be given whats called an "exchange list" which will guide in making food choices. You may have 'x' exchanges (or servings) of a certain category of food, for example, and if you eat more than allowable, you have to 'exchange' it for something else (give up a serving of food in another category). The main things to avoid of course are sugars and starches, including pasta as well as starchy vegetables like potatoes. You CAN eat those, but only in VERY SMALL quantities, and you can't mix all kinds of starches together like we tend to do. For example, if you eat potatoes at a meal, then you can't eat bread or pasta in the same meal. You also have to watch fat intake, and try to eat only monounsaturated fats like canola or olive oil. For example, a hamburger with everything on it (no cheese) fulfilled the confines of a complete meal on the exchange list. I could not add fries to it because the buns were my starches. If I would eat a hamburger patty without the bun, then I could have a SMALL order of fries, not the value sized order. Green salads were okay in pretty much unlimited quantity, but the amount and type of dressing mattered. You have to go for the dressings that aren't sweet, and the ones without too much of the wrong kind of fats or oils in them. All of your beverages have to be diet drinks or water or low-fat milk - you get the picture. The GOOD news is that the sleepiness, extreme thirst, and mental fogginess will go away after your first couple days of eating the right foods. And its really not that difficult, especially since you know its only until you have your baby that you have to eat this way. Hope this helps.
With my first child, I gained 60 lbs and passed the screening. With my second, I gained 10 and flunked, flunked, flunked!
First, its important for you to know that normal blood sugar levels are 90-110, so 156 is pretty high. Second, our hormones sometimes make us resistant to insulin in pregnancy and can't be helped.
Third, I was able to control my blood sugar through diet (a lot less whole grain anything and more protein) and exercise and never had to go on insulin.
Fourth, it went away right after giving birth - which is the case for a lot of women - so don't sweat it!
i really, really strongly urge you to do some research on the internet about gestational diabetes! the "test" is NOT a test at all, it's a SCREENING. there are many, many, many false positives on the 1-hr screening and even a lot of false positives on the 3-hr screening. there is no reason to be screened unless you exhibit 1 or more other signs of GD. i did the 1-hr screening while i was preggo with my first and had a horrible reaction to the drink. i was rushed to the ER and vomitted 2 times and my pulse was racing and i just about passed out several times. it was HORRIBLE. so with my last pregnancy i refused the screening (which is absolutely your right, no matter what your dr. says!). i was given hell for refusing it, but there was no way i was going to put myself and my unborn baby at risk for no good reason. i had no signs of having GD.
so again, i urge you strongly to do your research and make sure you want to go through with the 3-hr screening. if you'd like i can try to find some of the sites i researched and send you the links
Hi K.,
I failed the short but passed the long one. The second test is harder to do and made me feel sick to my stomach. So get a sitter for your 2 year old and something relaxing to read. Walking outside helped a little too. I was so worried but it wasn't that big a deal. Most people do the same thing it is very common. Good luck.
Jen
