So I had the idea to write this post before my glucose test because I didn’t really know anything about it and I truly did try to do some research. I asked questions and everyone kind of had different answers about their experience. What I have learned through sharing my experience is that this is truly the case. Here are a few differences that I found —
- Some people are allowed to bring the glucose drink home with them and drink it before their appointment, others have to sit for the whole hour at their doctors office
- Some offices recommend fasting up to 12 hours before the test, some just that day, and others just say not to consume a sugar heavy breakfast
- Some have dye-free options for the drink, some allow you to drink juice from home, and others only allow the glucose drink of their choosing
- Some offices have results for you immediately, while others have you wait 24-48 hours
- Some offices do a full vial blood draw and other offices just do a finger prick
- Offices have a different threshold for what qualifies as “passing” for the test
Either way, this test is an important test for your baby and the health of him in utero. I beat myself up a lot about not passing the one hour test, but then I gained some perspective and really shifted my mindset. I have been doing what I felt was best for my body up to now. I’ve been exercising and eating greens and proteins and not just consuming straight sugary foods. I have spent the last 28 weeks invested in growing this baby, and its nothing that I did directly that made me not pass/not have gestational diabetes. My body isn’t responding properly to sugar while pregnant. This is vital for me to know and react to. I can spend the time beating myself up about maybe doing something different, or I can take the time thankful that we caught it and hope that I am still able to birth a full term, healthy baby without complications.
If you don’t pass the one hour test, you are not alone. I head in for the three hour test soon and I will update y’all on this one, but I am holding tight to the mindset shift from above — don’t beat yourself up. keep taking care of your baby.
XO,
Hil (& baby Ryder)
hrmarciano 