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So... I FAILED. Here's the story. Last time I was at the doctor's office she had mentioned that in my October appointment that I would have my GD test. She didn't tell me anything else, and nor did the nurse or the person who called to confirm my appointment. So here I was, on Monday morning, happily chowing down on Rob's leftover twice-baked potatoes and eating a candy bar before I went for my test until one of the girls in my office stopped me in horror. Wasn't I supposed to be fasting? Was I seriously eating carbs and candy before my test? Ok, so looking back, that doesn't seem like the smartest move, but I didn't even think twice since neither my doctor nor any of the nurses has instructed me otherwise. So I called the doctor's office to make sure. Nope, totally fine they assured me.
So I get to the appointment and my doctor's nurse brings Rob and I back to the room. I get weighed...only 4 lbs since Sept 3rd...SCORE (as opposed to my post vacation/big Italian in-laws visit weight gain of 6 lbs the previous month)!! I was feeling damn good about that. Then she tells me that the next visit I'll be getting my GD test, in November. I, suprised, say:
"Oh! Good! I thought I was supposed to get it today and was worried because all I've eaten today is potatoes and a candy bar."
She goes out to get the doctor, but is back in a minute with a small bottle. She explains to me that I can take the test today, I'm a little skeptical and ask again if my morning's diet will affect the outcome. She assures me, like everyone else, that it will not. So I drink it down. I was thinking it would taste like thick cough syrup, or something, but it was not that bad at all! It simply tasted like sweet, flat Sprite. Not my drink of choice, but it wasn't horrendous like I've heard.
I feel pretty good about passing. There is no history of GD in my family, I haven't gained a lot of weight, I'm ok. NOT. I get a call the next morning that I failed my test and now have to go in for my three hour screening tomorrow. I ask the nurse, again, if this could have anything to do with what I ate, and she says no. Argh. No problem, I'll just take 4 hours out of my insane work schedule in which I have no time to finish work even when I take it home every weekend. Oh yeah, easy peasy.
I will be so bummed if I DO have GD. I know it isn't a huge deal, I'll just have to modify my diet (no more pasta, potatoes and candy...every day), and I can totally do that. But I hate the idea of anything negative or risky in this pregnancy. Lucy and I can handle it, but it is still scary!
So that is my story for tonight.
Did any of you moms/pregnant gals out there have to fast before your first GD test? Just curious...
“If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.”
-Woody Allen
68 comments:
Yes, i did have to fast before my GD test with my first baby. I did not with my second. With my third, I ate Capn Crunch cereal and milk and my nurse yelled at me for basically sabotaging myself... but I still passed. I would try to eat protein before your 3-hour. Don't stress out about it yet, though!
Yep - I had to fast. I can't believe that they said eating a candy bar right before a blood sugar test wouldn't effect the results!! I bet you'll pass the 3 hour. Sorry it's such a pain to have to go for so long though. Definitely fast before it - not worth taking any chances!
My grandma died 3 days before my GD test with my son (not to mention this was just a couple of weeks post 9/11). I ate almost an entire bag of wintergreen lifesavers that morning before the test. They hadn't told me to fast either. Later, when I failed the test by 3 points and called me back for my 3 hour test, I refused. (They told me I did have to fast for that one.)
I was grieving and hormonal and had a whole bag full of 'rational' reasons why I wouldn't do it.
My doctor tried to tell me he'd make my midwife drop me if I didn't take the test, but I put my foot down and since I had absolutely no other risk factors he relented.
I'm sure your other test will be fine!
Yeah, that seems really odd that they told you not to fast - or that it wouldn't affect the outcome! I had to fast with both of my pregnancies.
They don't tell you to fast b/f the screen, but you need to. I failed the screen with my first and the 3 hour test was HELL. I didn't have GD after all that.
I had to fast, too -- I'm surprised they would say you didn't have to! I was told not to eat anything sweet the day of the test, and not to eat anything at all for I think two hours before I drank the glucose stuff. I'm sure you'll pass the three-hour test, but what a pain that you have to go through it!
I did not have to fast, but I didn't really eat anything beforehand and I got really sick. My number that time came back "borderline."
They made me repeat the one-hour, and this time I ate a high-protein lunch right before. My number was much, much lower that time. Good luck!
I was allowed to have some protein before it (because I had hypermesis). I failed. I did have to fast for the 3 hour test. I ended up failing that one too. If for some reason you do have GD it will be just fine. I had to modify my diet, but I never had to go on meds or anything. The blessing of it was I had to get sonograms every other week and they were able to monitor how large he was getting (despite the fact the GD was under control). Good luck to you!
Yes, I had my test in the morning and I was supposed to stop eating like around 9ish the night before and couldn't eat anything until after the test. Telling you that what you ate that morning wouldnt affect your results is retarded. Of course eating candy would increase the sugar in your blood! Hello :) So you'll probably pass the next test....just fast before you go :)
I have my GD test first thing tomorrow morning and they told me that I could eat a little something for breakfast, but don't overdo the carbs (ie eat protein if you eat carbs).
I hope that the 3 hour goes well, but I really do think that you will pass...maybe you can redo the 1 hour.
I fasted with all 3 of mine, but..umm...they're now 21, 20, and 12. Maybe times have changed? LOL
They didn't tell me to fast either, but I had heard that it would be wise to. I took the test first thing in the morning and ate afterwards and I passed. If I would have taken it in the afternoon I probably would have failed. Good Luck! It should be fine!
That is weird I had to fast before both of mine I had to test twice because 1 doctor had me test early due to being insulin resistant and my doctor tested me again around 28 or 30 weeks.Everyone I know who had the GD test has had to fast. I would check on that because eating before it could have caused you to fail and you may not actually have it. Hang in there!
I didn't have to fast, but was told not to eat a lot of sugar or carbs before. I ended up having a bagel before, but I still passed.
My doc never mentioned fasting, but the people at the lab where I went for the test asked me if I had. Since I went first thing in the morning and I never eat breakfast, I was fine. I would suggest fasting or eating only protein before the next test.
I am fasting tonight...for 12 hours until my test tomorrow morning at 8:00, as per the doctor's office. But they SWEAR over and again that I didn't need to the first time. I don't beliebe them! Crazy!
God, they told me I couldn't even have water that morning.
BTW, I've seen stats that claim that something like 75% of women who fail the 1 hour test pass the 3 hour test. (At the same time, GD is something that can easily come on even without any risk factors, so don't just ignore it.)
I'll jump on the "Fasting" bangwagon. My test was early in the morning and I fasted the night before. I failed so misrably, my midwife didn't make me even retake the 3 hour test. (my dad is a type 2 diabetic, so I kinda had that against me). As someone said earlier, having GD wasn't that bad. I only gained 13 pds. my whole pregnancy, and still ate my share of halloween candy!! (I was 7 1/2 months pregnant, I couldn't pass up a baby ruth to save my ass). Also as the other person said, the bonus is you get a sonogram EVERY WEEK the last trimester, so I got to see Miss Amelia growing alllll the time. She was only born 3 days early and was 7 pds. 5 oz. You'll do great. Can't wait to hear NEGITIVE on the next post! :)
I had to fast and still failed my first (1 hour). I fasted again the second round and passed my 3 hour. Good luck to you!!!
I had GD with my pregnancy, but I think it was a completely different for me. They didn't test me until I was 30 weeks (the forgot at the usual appointment), and I was only a point or two above. They diagnosed me, but my numbers were always close to perfect. The diet isn't as hard as it sounds ... except when you are craving something bad. My DD was born on my birthday, and the night before I went into labor, I was bawling to my husband that I wouldn't get any birthday cake because of GD ... well, after she was born, I ate a half dozen chocolate cupcakes that my mom brought me for my birthday.
I didn't have to fast. Unless you ate it within an hour of the blood test I don't think it will affect the results.
No fasting here. I took my test in the afternoon and they told me to eat regularly that day. So I did.
I think I ate an hour before I started drinking, but nothing within that hour between...maybe water. I have had a few relatives & friends that have had the initial test come back positive and then when they waste 3-4 hours of their day with the big test it ends up coming back negative.
That's horrible - I hope you don't have GD! I have no pregnancy history so I have no opinion on the subject!
I did not fast before the first test and failed. I took the 3 hour and passed. Good luck. Make sure you take something to eat right after your last blood draw.
Yes, I had to fast. I thought everyone did. I don't know anything though. In Maui we didn't have the bottle of flat sprite. We just fasted, got blood drawn, they told us to go eat as much carbs as possible (OJ and something with syrup were required) then come back in an hour for more blood. It was pretty easy for me. Requiring an IHOP run is certainly not the worst the medical test I have had.
Good luck, I hope everything comes up normal and that baby Lucy and Mama are safe and happy!
Yep, they told me not to eat after midnight, except for water. I cannot believe they let you take that after having a candy bar. I'm sure your next one will be fine!
I didn't fast for the GD test with either of my two pregnancy, and I was never instructed to do so. Good luck with the next one!!
I did have to fast, but cheated and had a sweet roll a few hours before. I figured it was far enough before that it would be okay. I was wrong. I still failed, by just a little. I passed the 3 hour with flying colors though. I too, had not gained much weight and have no family history. I bet you will be fine!
No fasting, but they told me to limit my carbs before the test and to eat protein instead. I took it in the morning, after having eggs for breakfast, and passed. Good luck with the three hour!
Is GD test a routine thing in the States? I've never been tested for it and I'm at the end of my second pregnancy... (not that I'd want to go through it, but just wondering...)
I was told not to fast but specifically asked not to have anything sugary the night before or the morning of the test. So no juices or sweet cereals, etc.
Yes, with every one of my pregnancies I fasted for 12 hours. I failed w/ our first, I was upset like you, but when I went for the 3 hour test I just watched my sugar intake for that whole week of the test and I passed. I can't believe they didn't tell you anything about fasting. Every doctor is different. Don't get too worked up about the 3 hour test, its just another thing you'll look back on with the pregnancy! Good luck!1
I just had my GD test on Tuesday & I didn't have to fast, but I panicked too right before my appt but no one had told me otherwise. Come to find out...I didn't need to! Good luck with the 3 hr test!!
My 1hr. GD test is on Saturday morning….I’ve been thinking the same thing “oh my gosh, my doctor never gave me any instructions at all, just to go to the lab and get tested!” and I’ve asked some other women and they said the same thing, it’s usually the 3 hour test that they make you fast for, not the 1 hour test, which doesn’t make sense???? I think I’ll eat a light breakfast just to be safe, before hand, and then go chow down as I can’t stop eating in the mornings! Good luck Bev!!!!
I've heard that even women who didn't eat a candy bar b/f the first test and had to go back for a 2nd test still didn't have GD. It sucks you have to do it but I wouldn't worry about it. Like you said, no history in the family and all that. :)
Good luck!
Yes, with both my pregnancies my doctor had me fast for the GD test. Your doctor will probably schedule you for antoher testing.
No, didn't have to fast. But I did end up with GD. it sucks, but it made me and baby healthier in the end. I wrote a lot about it in my blog a couple months ago. Good luck with your 3 hour and don't try to cheat too much or you could be masking something important! I am sure you'll be fine!
I don't have anything to add about fasting but Corey and I had the same thing happen to us with the Virzon. I mean exactly. We got it we called to cancel the old service and they canceled both. He spent two days on/off the phone with them. They gave us two months free. Great! Those two months we never got a bill until they sent one saying they were going to cancel the service since we hadn't paid. So I feel your pain on that end. As for the GD I am pretty sure you are suppose to fast.
I also had to fast. Failed the 1 hour, but passed the 3 hour test. I'd fast if I were you.
Good Luck!
yes, I am almost certain everyone has to fast! All I could drink was water! My SIL ate a peppermint during her first GD test which caused her to fail BIG time, so I bet thats what happened to you too.
I am sure you will be fine and the second test will show that.
Good Luck you internet stealing thief (j/k)
I didn't have to fast with the first one, just have nothing sweet ( i had jelly on my toast & OJ. HGE no-no;'s). Yes I failed. I did have to fast with the 3 hour. And failed again by the slimmest of margins.
Personally I think it s GIGANTIC pain & really cruel to have a PG woman not eat or indulge cravings.
If you fail, you'll have to go to a counseling session & test your blood sugar 4x a day.
A few recc's in case you do fail: protein meal bars, egg beaters, toast w/ a little margarine, dry cereal, water with crystal lite, fish. You should get meal books from the dr's.
There were sometimes that I mixed milk with my cereal & on my checkups the dr.'s were like "do you know WHY you blood sugar is high??' And I said, 'Look, I am 8 months PG if I Want cereal with milk I am gonna have it!!'
I am allowed to eat before mine but my Dr said to eat a well balanced meal or only protein. My Dr said the protein can help slow absorption of the sugar and help you pass. GL on the 3 hour one.
My nurse told me to eat bacon and eggs about two hours before my test. I did, and I passed. Every other pregnant woman I know was told to fast, though.
They are liars. When I had my first test done I ate (cuz my doc said I could) and ended up having to do the three hour test. I did not have GD.
With my second son I decided to ignore the docs and I skipped breakfast and I passed the first GD test without having to do the 3 hour one. Same thing happened with my third.
I say food DEFINITELY affects the results no matter what they say.
I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. The test was probably just affected by the food you ate beforehand.
Aw man! I just found out that I failed my one-hour test, too.
I'm having my 3-hour test on Tuesday.
I was told to eat complex carbs for the days leading up to the test.
Also, I'll have a 12-hour fast before the test. Fun.
In doing some research, I've found that there are actually a TON of false positives. I feel like we're both fine.
GOod luck!
I did almost the same thing you did... except that I had three bowls of honey bunches of oats before my drs appt. I failed the one-hour with 156 (passing is 130) which I found out online means I only had a 34% chance of actually having GD. I took the three hour test (drinks LOTS of water, they had trouble drawing my blood after fasting) and easily passed. In fact, even though you have twice as much glucose in that drink for the 3 hour test, my one hour score was lower than my cereal test. Good luck! But don't worry too much now - you'll most likely be fine!
yep i had to fast... i really am shocked that they did not tell you to fast. Both of my pregnacies i fasted! The candybar would totally effect the results! Good luck witht the three hour test! Im sure you will pass.
Nope. I was told not to fast so I had a yogurt and bread/jelly for breakfast with OJ. So I didn't and failed. Then I took the 3 hr and failed that too. I hated being GD, but he's great, 7 months old and all is well.
As you know I don't have kids but I have gone to my fair share of baby showers and work with pregnant women. I find that Babies R Us is always out of stock on things. It is very frustrating driving out there only to leave empty handed. If you are thinking earth friendly I have heard good things about Segals and Mother natures.
I didn't have to fast with my son but they did strongly encourage me not to eat any sweet or carbs before the test. I was told to load up on protein!
I did not have to fast, but they also said not to go overboard on sugar, so I bet that had something to do with it. Good luck on the 3 hour, I hope it goes well!
You don't know me but I follow your blog...I'm a friend of a friend...no i did not fast I ate high protein items before my test and I actually had a low blood sugar issue. So I passed out after the test! Not what they were expecting! So during my pregnancy I had to eat things with extra sugar in it...like fruit-healthy stuff! Congrats on Lucy you will love being a mom! I do and my son just turned 1 yesterday!
My doctor said no need to fast, just don't over due it with the carbs. The nurse said, no, that they are changing the policy to fasting for 10 hours before. I took the test at 9am and only had water before it just to be on the safe side...but it was the day after Easter and my baby shower, so the day before I had stuffed my face full of cake and jelly beans. I did pass.
Yes I had to fast before my GD test. I was told to only drink water. Telling a pregnant lady not to eat is insane but that is what I did. I think they are crazy for telling you that what you ate would have been ok. Good luck on the 3 hr test...its not so bad.
Yes I had to fast. I passed, and I was surprised.
I came across your blog through another one I read and I just wanted to say Congrats on your baby! I have a friend who it took her and her husband two years to get pregnant and finally she is due in 4 weeks with a baby boy! It happenes when it's suppose to.
My aunt had GD with both her kids and she could not eat anything before her tests either! Hopefully they get things right and you will be just fine.
I did had to fast 12 hours. I hope you pass the 3 hour they are going to make you do the 3 hour now that you failed the 1 hour right?
I didn't have to fast before my 1 hour test, but I did before the 3 hour (nothing after midnight tonight, since I go in tomorrow morning). Just be prepared...for me, the 3 hour was so much worse. I got really sick to my stomach, super fatigued...take something with you to eat as soon as you finish. Good luck! I had GD with my 1st pregnancy, and it's pretty certain I have it this time around too...it's not too terrible to deal with.
Yep, I was told to fast. I had to drive 7 1/2 hours to my appointment and eat nothing. They said I could only have water.
I am 29 weeks 2 days and I failed the first GD test. My doctor told me I could eat protein before my test, but not carbs. I didn't eat any carbs, but unfortunately, I still failed. I had to take the 3 hour, and I just found out yesterday that I passed all 3 blood draws. Woohoo! While the 3 hour stinks, like the 1 hour, I didn't think it was that awful. Before the 3 hour, my doctor told me not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before - I was instructed not to drink water, not to chew gum, and not to brush my teeth! Nothing was supposed to pass through my lips! The worst part about the test was not being able to eat for so long. I was so hungry. :( I did get a bit queasy after drinking the glucose drink (which has 3 times the sugar as the 1 hour drink!) but I got over it. Definitely bring a snack with you so you can eat immediagely after you are finished. Everyone I talked to who failed the 1 hour passed the 3 hour. I'm sure you will pass, too!! Good Luck!
Yes, I was told to schedule it first thing in the morning and eat breakfast after the test was over. I thought everyone was told to fast.
Yes, I had to fast. And if you read the tiny little print on the bottle, it also states that fasting is required on the bottle (I was bored and that was the only thing I had to read).
Sorry you have to go for the 3-hour GD test. It sounds like a pain.
RMH
Yes, I had to fast before my GD test. I agree, I can't believe they said a candy bar wouldn't effect the results.
I had to fast and I still failed the one hour, but I passed the three hour.
I had the same fight with Verizon Fios!!! They are the devil. I feel so much better that I'm not alone in their suckiness...but I'm sorry you're stuck dealing with it, too. I haven't cancelled yet but I'm darn close.
so, i just started reading your blog and love it! i'm also pregnant and due jan 17, 2009. i did not have to fast for my first GD test, you only have to do it for the second one. i ate before mine and i passed it. the candy bar might not have been the best thing, but hopefully everything went well on the second test! anyway, keep up the great blogging, i look forward to reading more.
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