I had my Glucose Tolerance Screening and it showed that I was at risk for Gestational Diabetes, so I had to have a Glucose Tolerance Test. I was very upset about these results because I knew that Gestational Diabetes would hinder my chances at a natural child birth in the birth center. So I read up on the test and found as much as I could.

Here is how the screening test goes. You do not have to fast for this test. They give you a bottle of solution, mine was orange flavored. It tasted like orange soda without the fizz. You drink it fairly quickly, then they take your blood and measure your glucose. If it is over a certain amount (it can vary a bit), they will have you take the Glucose Tolerance Test.

For the GTT, you will need to fast for 12 hours before. You will get another solution to drink that will be twice as sweet as the first (yuck!). They will take your blood before you drink the solution, then at 2 or 3 intervals afterward. It takes a couple hours. You are not allowed to eat during the test, you might be allowed to take small sips of water. They will measure your body’s response to the big hit of sugar and determine whether or not you have Gestational Diabetes.

Some things to note:

• Do not eat a low carb/sugar diet in the days before the GTT. It will cause your insulin levels to lower and cause a larger blood sugar reaction when you take the test.
• Taking some grapefruit juice the night before (before the fast begins) may help to stabalize your blood sugar for the next 24 hours.
• If you are allowed to sip water throughout the test, do it. It can help you feel better and dilute the sugar in your tummy. Just don’t break the rules and negate the test. You don’t want to have to take it again.
•  Finally, if they will let you, walk around during the test. It may help you feel better.

My test went well and I passed. No Gestational Diabetes! Yes!

If you do have it, don’t worry too much. You can try to control your sugar with diet, oral medications and if all else fails insulin. The doctors will tell you that you are at risk for having a large (macrosomic) baby, but if you can control your weight gain and the baby is on track for growth, you should be fine. Note: I am not a doctor, just a fellow Mom.