Gestational Diabetes Testing

Things they don't tell you about GD testing...

Eat protein only prior to test.. any juice or bread will skew the results (at least on the 1 hr).

With the protein, if the sugar is still high, then it's a good indication of GD.

Try not to worry too much. The first test is more of a screening, I think. I had a high result on the first test, and my three-hour test was fine. Even if I gestational diabetes had been diagnosed, it's most likely you'll need to change your diet for the remainder of your pregnancy. Good luck!

Hi J.,

The Lab Tech draws your blood sample every hour for 3 hours. It tests how much your blood sugar (glucose) drops by the hour.

You may or may not have to drink a sugar solution.

Follow your diet and exercise by walking every day and after the baby is born, things will go back to normal.

Good luck. D.

I remember the 3 hour test and it was just horrible. The waiting around. I would suggest bring a good book, read in your car and ask for punch flavor. The orange flavor is no good and having to drink that stuff every hour you want the better flavor, it does make a difference.

Good luck

Hi J.,
I had high sugar levels during my third pregnancy and was sent for the 5 hours one. Anyways they take blood then they give you a sugary drink then an hour later test your blood sugar by taking blood. Then they do it every hour after that. Bring a book or something to do because you have to stay there until the test is done and no eating until after the test is complete. But do bring a snack snickers bar , veggies, whatever so you have something on hand when the test is done. I was fine but they do scare you but it is fixable ( diet change and vitamins, etc depending on your doctor) and you'er almost done with your pregnancy so good luck. A. W
A little about me
A stay at home mom with 2 precious boys 4 and 3 weeks shy of 1 years old.

Hi. I'm D.. I have four children. When I was pregnant with my first and second child, I had to have the 3 hour test. It's no big deal. THey are just being cautious. Both times, it proved that I didn't have diabetes. You go in and they check your blood sugar level after you've been fasting. Then they have you drink a small amount of a special "glucose" drink. Then they check your blood sugar level after a time. Then they have you drink one more time and they continue to check your glucose levels. Most of the test is spent waiting for the next time to have your sugar checked. The actual test isn't bad at all. The very worst part is having your finger pricked to check your blood sugar and that isn't bad. Good luck to you.

Hi J.:

I had this test done when I was pregnant with my son. The whole test is 4 blood draws. One before you drink the orange soda and then one per hour for the next 3 hours.The worst part is them having to re-insert the needle every hour. Hopefully, you will get a lab that will use a port, so they can just get the blood from that rather than getting a new needle each time, like me. It's not too bad, just boring...bring a book and leave your other kids at home if you can, 3 hours in a lab office will not be fun for them or you.

Hope all goes well. And, if you do have gestational diabetes, like I did, it's not that bad, either, as long as you watch your carbohydrate intake.

Take care,
B. M.

Hello!

I wouldn't worry too much yet because I had the same exact thing happen. I don't know if the doctor told you to fast the night before, but my practice didn't tell me that and that's why my first test came back elevated. I went for the 3 hour glucose test and it came back normal. It's pretty simple although very long. You drink a super sugary drink and then you wait. They test you after each hour. The test is a total of three hours, so bring a good book or lots of magazines!

Hope this helps! Keep me posted on how things turn out.

I had to go for the 3 hour test with my first child and I was able to leave after 2 hours because my sugar levels were fine. All that it involves is drinking the "glucose stuff" and having them monitor your sugar for a longer period of time. You really just have to wait to see what they say. I failed the first test with my second child as well and when I went back for the 3 hour test, failed that one as well. I was nervous about going on the diet and checking my blood sugar all the time, but it turned out to be okay. I was able to manage the diabetes by changing my diet and I didn't have to go on insulin. I was glad that they said I had it because I had been feeling really bad for a couple of months and didn't know why. I felt soooo much better after I changed my diet. I also ended up losing a lot of weight! I was smaller after I had her than before I got pregnant! I am now expecting my 3rd child in September and I have not been feeling bad yet. The doctor said that I may not even get it this time...who knows. I wouldn't worry about it's not too bad to have the test - and you may not even have diabetes!
Jenn W.

Hi J., I've done the 3 hr test a few times now (both while pregnant and while NOT pregnant). Basically, you will go into the lab, early am, while fasting and drink the same type of liquid as before - but slightly stronger tasting. Then, you'll sit around for 3 hours. Each hour they will draw your blood. Depending on the person this test can be uncomfortable. Nausea is not uncommon - but if you vomit the test ends and has to be redone. I often get very sleepy. I had to do the 3 hr test at seven months, also. Unfortunately, now at 35 weeks, I have to repeat it because my levels were so high - yet not so high as to cross the line to gest. diabetes. I recommend taking a book, if you're a reader. Personally, I prefer an iPod or other personal music player and a pillow. :-) I hope all goes well for you.

I had the 3 hour test. It was nothing. You give blood 1st thing in AM on an empty stomach, you go eat some protein and in 3 hours you give blood again. No big deal. I could not do the glucose drink, so they did this instead. Good luck! I'm sure everything is fine.

youcant eat or drink til you are done. you get there they take blood give "the" drink then an hour later they test your blood again then an hour later test again. they may give you water after the second draw of blood. bring a book to read.

Yes, I had the 3 hour test because they didn't tell me not to eat before the first test. VERY ANNOYING.

Anyway, you drink another bottle of the glucola of a different concentration. Then the draw blood each hour for 3 hours and see how your body processes the glucose.

The 1 hour test has a very high false positive rate, leading to the 3 hour testing. I know lots of people who failed the 1 hour, only 1 who failed the 3 hour.

I had the three hour test done with my second and third child. It doesn't necessarily mean gestational diabetes as I didn't have it with my second one. It's basically the same as the one hour test but you have to do it two more times. They are looking to see how you react over time to sugar...does your body handle it or does your sugar level stay high. I did have gestational diabetes with my third one and had to take insulin.

Hi J.!

I failed my first test too. Although the 3 hour test is really long and boring, it is nothing to worry about. You just need to drink some gross stuff and get your blood drawn a few tims. I would suggest fasting beforehand just to be sure your sugar levels don't spike prior to the test. My 3 hour test came back normal. Good luck!

I just delivered my second daughter and had GD with both, with no sugar issues outside of pregnancy. The 3 hour is a test where your blood is drawn 2-3 times over the course of those 3 hours to measure the decrease in blood sugars over time. Some people have no issues even after failing the one hour so stay positive.
Best of luck-

It's kind of a pain...literally and figuratively. You go in after fasting for 12 hours, they test your blood to get a base line. Then you drink the sugary sweet drink. They test your blood at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours. Then you get the results in like 3 days or so. It's not fun, but at least it's just one morning. Good luck.

Hi there, I went through this with me 2nd pregnancy. Although annoying and LONG it wasn't an awful experience. I had to get there first thing in the AM. They took my blood to start. Then I had to drink the orange drink (that's even thicker and sweeter than the first). I sat around the hospital for the next 3 hours to have my blood drawn once each hour. So I made sure I had something to read (maybe a portable DVD player would be a good idea). I got kinda hyped up and also ended up walking around a LOT and just making sure I was back each hour for the blood draw. The last important thing is that you can't eat before or during, so make sure you have a substantial snack with you (I had a protein bar) to have as soon as you're done to try and get everything back on track. Good luck. Hope to help.

M.

I have had this long test. They will take blood first. Next you will drink the sweet stuff, wait an hour, and then they'll do another blood test. They will take your blood a total of 4 times and you'll drink the sweet stuff three times. You have to keep the liquid down or you'll have to do the entire long test over. It's not cpmpletely horrible....it's just takes a long time. Lucky for me one of my closest friends was in the hospital with a newborn so I was able to go visit during the middle of my test. How's that for incentive?!?! You will not be able to leave the testing center. Good luck!