What Is Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is an issue when your body isnt able to deal with the sugar in your system effectively. Most often it is not producing enough insulin to cover all of it . but sometimes your cells are extra resistant to letting sugar in.
It is the same issue for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but this one is caused by strain and hormonal changes of pregnancy.
What To Eat Before Glucose Test
The results of this test will be more reliable if you eat a reasonable amount of carbohydrate on each day before the three-day mark. Carbohydrate foods include bread, cereals and rice but not pasta or potatoes because they break down into sugar quickly in your stomach which can affect how well urine tests work for glucose monitoring purposes fruit is also an option as long its fresh! You should aim at eating 10 serves total from different sources like vegetables , legumes/beans these offer benefits beyond just providing calories so try including them into all parts meal planning carefully though since high amounts might give peopleitters diabetes Lastly dont forget water too: staying hydrated assists kidney function
Can I Refuse The Glucose Challenge Test When Pregnant
Yes, you can refuse the glucose screening. However, most major medical associations and pregnancy care providers recommend all pregnant people be screened for gestational diabetes. Glucose screenings are the only way to help your provider diagnose gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes puts you and the fetus at risk for complications.
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How Can I Pass My 1 Hour Glucose Test
Have a healthy breakfast before your glucose test. Go for protein-filled foods like nuts, dairy, fish, or lean meat.
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Who Might Get A Glucose Test
Your healthcare provider will likely order a glucose test to screen you for blood sugar problems, such as type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes.
A glucose test is standard during pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is when you develop diabetes during pregnancy. It usually goes away after you deliver your baby.
Gestational diabetes screenings typically occur at the end of the second trimester or the beginning of the third trimester .
You might also have a glucose test if youve been experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar , such as fainting and dizziness.
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Examples Of What To Eat Before Your Pregnancy Glucose Test :
Youre going to want to balance your carbohydrates and proteins in your meals. So, some good examples are:
- Salad with a good amount of protein and a non-sugary dressing
- Cheese and nuts
Bad things to eat before your pregnancy glucose test:
These types of items might throw the test off, and that wouldnt be good at all:
- Any meals that has more carbohydrate than protein
- Fruit with no balancing protein
If youre not sure eat something with a lot of protein and you should be good to go.
If you have ANY doubt at all, ask your provider when they order the test what they think you should be eating. Be sure to talk with them in advance!
I also have a whole post on how to pass your pregnancy glucose test.
What The Test Results Mean
We have to address the mindset around the gestational diabetes test, because the terms “pass” and “fail” have created a fear of testing, and stigmatized moms.
LET’S BE CLEAR
The gestational diabetes test is NOT a grade of your health, body, or pregnancy! Moms that “pass” are not rewarded, and moms that “fail” are not penalized. Instead, the test is a discovery of whether or not your body produces enough insulin to maintain blood sugars at safe levels. It’s knowing and understanding what’s happening to your body as you journey through this pregnancy.
The gestational diabetes test is NOT a grade of your health, body, or pregnancy!
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Final Thoughts On Glucose Screening
The glucose test in pregnancy is an easy way to check your bodys ability to tolerate sugar.
Theres no way to cheat this test, and you should prepare for it by eating a well-balanced diet as soon as you find out youre pregnant.
If you fail the test, make sure that you follow up very closely with your doctor to try and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Now I want to hear from you.
Did you fail your glucose test?
What did you do to prepare for it?
What Is The Normal Range For A One
Blood sugar values lower than 140 milligrams per deciliter are normal. You dont need additional testing for gestational diabetes.
If your blood sugar value is 140 mg/dL or higher, your provider will recommend the three-hour glucose tolerance test.
Please note that all providers are different and normal ranges may vary. For example, some providers consider anything higher than 135 mg/dL to be abnormal.
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What Happens During The 3
Before taking the three-hour glucose tolerance test, you will need to fast overnight.
You should have nothing to eat or drink for at least eight hours .
Water is definitely okay to drink, however!
When you arrive at the lab or testing site, youll have blood drawn first to get a fasting glucose level. Then, you will consume a 100-gram oral glucose drink.
Your blood will be drawn one hour after you finish the drink, two hours later, and three hours later. .
The most commonly used criteria for determining if you pass the three-hour glucose test is listed below. Typically, you will fail if two or more of these values are elevated. However, some doctors may diagnose you with GDM even if you just have just one elevated number.
- Fasting: less than 95 mg/dL
- 1 hour after: less than 180 mg/dL
- 2 hours after: less than 155 mg/dL
- 3 hours after: less than 140 mg/dL
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What To Eat 1 Hour Before A Glucose Test During Pregnancy
When your medical practitioner has recommended that you take a glucose tolerance test during your pregnancy, usually around your fifth month of pregnancy, you will be asked to watch your diet before taking the test. This will be in one of two approaches. One is when you do not fast before the test, and the other is when fasting before the test is required.
Not Fasting Before the Test
Your glucose levels are routinely checked at every prenatal visit, using a simple stick test in your urine. When you are asked to give a urine sample you may notice that the nurse or medical practitioner takes a special small strip and dips it into your urine sample. The strip will turn a specific color if sugar or protein is found. Occasional small amounts of protein or glucose in your urine during your pregnancy is normal.
A pregnant mother free of gestational diabetes will rarely have a glucose level higher than 100mg/dLin the morning before breakfast or 2 hours after a meal.
Around the fifth month you may be asked to take a GCT to check for gestational diabetes and a follow-up GTT if needed.
If your GCT is abnormal you will be asked to do a GTT to determine if you have gestational diabetes. Twenty percent of the women who take a glucose challenge test will be abnormal but most of them will NOT have gestational diabetes.
What is this test for?
If this happens the medical practitioner may order a GTT to more accurately see how the womans body is responding to sugar.
GLUCOSE SCREENING
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Are There Any Side Effects Associated With The Glucose Tests
Most pregnant women donât have any side effects during or after either glucose test. It’s possible that you may feel nauseous, lightheaded, or even sweaty after drinking the glucose solution. It tastes like a very sweet soda, which can be easier to stomach for some women than for others.Youâll need to have your blood drawn, so you might feel dizzy, and you may have slight bruising around the blood withdrawal spot, but otherwise the risks associated with these tests are minimal.
How To Pass The Glucose Tolerance Test In Pregnancy
So youre 24+ weeks, and you were told to take the glucose test.
If youre anxious, youre not alone.
After reading this post, youre going to learn how to pass the glucose tolerance test in pregnancy.
Specifically, youll learn:
- How to prepare for the 1 hour test, ,
- What you should eat before taking the glucose test, and
- What happens if you fail the 3 hour test.
Lets get started.
Disclaimer
***READ FIRST***
Although I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This information is for informational purposes only and should not substitute the advice from your healthcare professional. All kinds of exercise and dietary changes are potentially dangerous, and those who do not seek counsel from the appropriate health care authority assume the liability of any injury which may occur. Please read my full Disclaimer for more information. Also, this post may contain affiliate links: meaning I may receive a commission if you use them.
Ok, moving on.
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Can You Decline The Glucose Test In Pregnancy
If you decline the glucose test, then we will need to check your blood sugar levels 4 times per day for at least 1 week.
This will require you to prick your finger when you wake up every morning and one hour after breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
This is an alternative way to screen for gestational diabetes.
Why Is The Glucose Tolerance Test Important For Pregnant Women
Gestational diabetes can cause complications for both mom and baby. However, it can be successfully managed when it is identified early.
Its important to make sure the results of your 3 hour glucose tolerance test are accurate in order to correctly diagnose gestational diabetes so it can be treated. This will help prevent any complications for you and your baby.
Some of the complications seen with gestational diabetes are listed below.
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Do I Need To Be Fasting For The Pregnancy Glucose Test
You do not need to be fasting for the traditional 1 hour test.
However, there is a 2 hour 75-gram glucose test that can be done.
For the 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test, you need to be fasting, and you have to have your blood sugar level taken three times.
The first blood test will look at your fasting glucose, then you will get two more blood tests done. Once after an hour, and again after 2 hours.
Most OBGYN providers use the 1-hour test.
I Ate These Foods And Was Still Diagnosed
I do want to give abigdisclaimer. If your body is already in the stages of gestational diabetes, simply eating these foods the day before or of your glucose tolerance test will not make it so you magically pass the test.
Sometimes gestational diabetes just happens it does not discriminate. Our hormones go crazy when were pregnant and sometimes there is nothing we can do about that.
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes dont beat yourself up about it. Simply do your best to get and keep your blood sugar levels in your target ranges. You can learn more about gestational diabetes here. Work with your doctor, dietitian and/or certified diabetes educator to help you on your journey to delivering a healthy baby. You got this!
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What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal blood values for a 3-hour 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test are:
- Fasting: greater than 95 mg/dL
- 1 hour: greater than 180 mg/dL
- 2 hour: greater than 155 mg/dL
- 3 hour: greater than 140 mg/dL
ONE-STEP TESTING
Abnormal blood values for a 2-hour 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test are:
- Fasting: greater than 92 mg/dL
- 1 hour: greater than 180 mg/dL
- 2 hour: greater than 153 mg/dL
If only one of your blood glucose results in the oral glucose tolerance test is higher than normal, your provider may simply suggest you change some of the foods you eat. Then, your provider may test you again after you have changed your diet.
If more than one of your blood glucose results is higher than normal, you have gestational diabetes.
I Have The Results Of My Glucose Screening Test What’s The Normal Range For Blood Sugar
Different providers use different standards for determining whether your level is too high. Some will say that if your one-hour blood sugar level is 140 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood plasma or more, you need to have the glucose tolerance test. Others put the cutoff at 130 mg/dL to catch more women who may have gestational diabetes, even though there are likely to be more false positives this way.
If your blood glucose level for this screening is higher than 200 mg/dL, most providers will consider you diabetic and you won’t be required to take the glucose tolerance test.
But any score between 140 and 200 means that you’ll have to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test for a definite diagnosis.
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Why Do I Need A Glucose Screening Test During Pregnancy
Most healthcare providers routinely recommend a glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a high blood sugar condition that some women get during pregnancy. Between 2 and 10 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems during pregnancy. And because the condition rarely causes any symptoms, testing is the only way to find out whether you have it.
The GCT is a screening test, which means it wonât give you a diagnosis. Instead, itâs designed to identify as many women as possible who might have gestational diabetes but need more testing to find out. So a positive result doesnât mean that you have gestational diabetes.
In fact, only about a third of women who test positive on the glucose screening test actually have the condition. If you test positive, youâll need to take the glucose tolerance test a longer, more definitive test that tells you for sure whether you have gestational diabetes.
Some providers skip the glucose screening test altogether and instead order a shortened version of the glucose tolerance test, which is also called a one-step test .
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What To Eat Before Gestational Diabetes Test
complex carbohydrates are the best choice when it comes to energy, as they take longer for your bodys digestive system and blood sugar levels. These slow-release sources of food will help you avoid those spikes that can leave people feeling jittery or anxious after eating too many sugars! Complex carb foods include: Whole grains like wheat breads/oats nonstarchy veggies such tomatoes , cucumbers & broccoli . Fresh fruit includes blackberries but also watermelonwhich is high in vitamin C so give one a try ifUN welcoming its sweet flavor onto your plate
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Can I eat before 1 hour glucose test?
What Happens If You Fail The 3 Hour Glucose Test
If you fail the 3-hour glucose test, you have impaired glucose tolerance and you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
A failing score is considered when you have 2 or more values in these ranges:
- Fasting > 95mg/dL
- 2 Hour > 155 mg/dL
- 3 Hour > 140 mg/dL
This is a very serious condition that requires very close monitoring of your blood sugar levels every single day.
If you dont, you are putting your own life and your babys life at risk.
You will meet with a nutritionist to learn how to improve your diet, and you will have to check your finger stick blood glucose 4 times a day for the remainder of the pregnancy.
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Why Do You Take A Glucose Test In Pregnancy
The glucose test is basically a simple way to determine how your body processes sugar in the third trimester of pregnancy.
In other words, it is a screening test to look for gestational diabetes mellitus.
You will be asked to drink a solution that contains a certain amount of glucose and have your blood drawn 1 or 2 hours later at your doctors office.
The glucose challenge test can be done between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, which is about 6 months.
If you fail, you will then need to perform the glucose tolerance test.
The American College of OBGYN and the American Diabetes Association recommends that ALL pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes. If you are at high risk, you will be screened twice- once in the first trimester, and again in the third trimester.
Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome