My Sister Failed the Gestational Diabetes Testing by One Point, Should She....

She should definitely follow the doctors orders. this is nothing to mess around with. there could be serious complications if she "doesn't bother" as someone else suggested to her.

I wasn't borderline, but I recommend doing what the doc said. It'll be better for her and for the baby to err on the side of caution. If she's that close to borderline, it'll probably be managed by diet, and I have to say, it's an easy diet and I only gained 15 lbs because of it. I was 15 overweight, so the weight gain was perfect.

Absolutely encourage her to follow up with the testing. If she has gestational diabetes, she'll really need to follow her diet carefully. I had it, and was very careful. My son was born at 7 lbs, 12 oz, and the doctor and nursing staff were all so pleased with that because it was better for my boy and for me.

You are correct to ask her to follow through.

I passed it by a couple points and the doc still wanted me to take the 3 hour. I then failed the 3 hour. I would have her take the 3 hour! You just never know!

Unless the person where your brother in law works has a medical degree, I would not put much creedance into what thery are saying. We go to Doctors becuase thery are trained in this. The important thing is that doctors request that these tests be done for a reason (health of mama and baby) and need to be conducted under cerain criteria (fasting and staying at rest). To do otherwise is to create an unecssary health risk for mom & baby when a mostly non-invaisve test (I don't consider drinking sickly sweet stuff and a few needlepricks to be particualrly invasive) would allow for diagnoses and preventative measures if necessary.

- I had the 1st test and then two 3 hour tests over the course of my pregancy becuase I was borderline. Basically a slight modifcation of my diet kept me and my baby healthy. Peace of mind is priceless, tell her to take the test.

I passed my first one & unfortunately it was too early in my pregnancy so they had me redo it & my results were borderline also. The 3 hour one was horrible but I'm glad I went in because I passed & I felt better knowing me & my baby were fine. I don't understand why she would want to do it on her own, that's if she even could. Why would you want to draw your own blood? They also don't want you moving around or anything. It's her doctor whom she should trust not some lady at work in my opinion..

Untreated gestational diabetes is VERY serious and can cause major complications for both mother and child. I realize it's only one point, but can following a 3 day diet and retesting really isn't that bad! If she follows the doctors instructions and passes the 3 hour test, she's done with it. If the test results are poor, then your sister can get the appropriate care and have a wonderful healthy baby. I was a gestational diabetic with my first daughter and while the level 2 care is time consuming, it isn't difficult and my beautiful, healthy child made it worth it.

Hi!
I was borderline on my first test with my first child. I followed the advice of the dr. and did the 3 hour test and I was fine--though my son was a big baby at 9 pounds! Not sure if that was related or not since Gestational Diabetes can make your baby really big! I would follow the advice and check it out--I always er on the side of caution and make sure everything is OK!

L.

I'm sorry if this seems harsh, but this is her BABY. Why mess around or take any chances??? Just because it is a little inconvenient? Please. Part of becoming a mother is realizing it's not all about you anymore. You have to put your baby first. If the doctor is recommending she alter her diet and then go to the hospital for the repeat testing, then she should listen to HIM and not her husband's coworker, someone she has probably never even met. Besides, is it really that big of a deal? Compared to all the other sacrifices we must make as mothers throughout our children's lives, this one hardly seems to register on the scale as anything major. She should do the hospital test. It's only 3 hours out of her life and it will let her know for sure if she has this condition or not.

With all three of my pregnacies, I failed the first test, but passed the 2nd with flying colors. But, I'm glad I took those 2nd tests, even though they were long and inconvenient. I figured either way, I wanted to be healthy and have healthy children. These tests didn't do any harm.

If I were her, I would take the 2nd test. Better to be safe than sorry, I think.

Edited to add that moms that have gestational diabetes are more prone to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. Knowledge is power.

There is nothing wrong with getting tested again. One point over is one point over and she should follow the dr's advice. G.Diabetes is not something to take lightly. She could harm her baby, I know someone who decided it wasn't that important and miscarried her baby at 5 months due to G.D. She could also harm herself. This is about taking care of her baby and herself. With her numbers being so low I am sure it could be controlled by diet and the diet really isn't that big of a deal to follow. I did it and it wasn't that hard. I also had to take shot and that was a little harder, mainly just trying to give shots under your belly button at eight months hard to see even in a mirror. Anyway, I would tell her to do the diet then test again. Remember it is for the HEALTH, of mother and child.

Make sure that she knows the risk entailed in not watching her blood sugar, her baby has the potential to be quite large- 9 lbs or more. The line of passing is drawn at 135 for a reason and she has passed it. Unless she wants extra weight gain and a c-section for a large baby, then she'd better heed the doctors advice.

Can you find out if she cheated a bit on the fasting requirement? Sometimes even a small amount of soda or some sugary gum can knock the test off track. If she didn't cheat, she defiitely needs to have the 3 hour test done (she should have it done anyway just to be safe).

I was 140 with my first daughter and we just did a diet modification. My next pregnancy was twins and I had to give myself insulin. Insulin was required with my last child as well. I would tell her to follow through with her doctor so she knows for sure where she stands health-wise. It's not just an inconvenience, it can affect her health, the baby's, and any future children.

Edit: I was given a sheet with a list of foods to avoid for the few days prior to the 3 hour test. Not a diet per se but a healthy guideline.

I think she should have it done by the office. A close friend of mine failed the first test and actually did pass the second test (by a normal margin actually) and it turns out that she did in fact have gestational diabetes. Her baby was fine, but he was very large and had a few (very treatable) issues after his birth. Obviously, things can still go wrong as in the case of my friend, but you just never know and it's better to find out and treat the pregnancy accordingly!

She needs to go and have the 3 hour test done. However, I've never heard of being but on a special diet before having the test done. Also, there's no reason that the test can't be done at the hospital, but it's usually done at a lab. I had mine done in my OB/GYN's office. The hour test was slightly elevated, the 3 hour test confirmed I had gestational diabetes.

No. She cannot just be given the supplies to do it at home. It involves having your blood drawn 4 times at hour intervals.

Gestational diabetes can cause major complications for both mother and baby if it's gone untreated. It's serious, she needs to take the test.

Note: Don't mean to scare you. If detected and treated either through diet and excercise or through medication, both mom and baby will do fine.

The lasting factors of undiagnosed gestational diabetes are for both the Child and Mother. If she gets the testing materials and gets the numbers, does she know what to do with them? Will she put herself on watch? Will she follow a better diet? Is she okay with having a child who will be soaking up the extra sugar her body can't use and taxing their system and also making them a bigger baby, possibly leading to a premature delivery for size?(see risks of premature birth on any website). Then also see the risks that predispose her to diabetes in the future you know the fun ones like blindness, stroke, renal failure, liver failure, blindness, diabetic neuropathy, infections, amputations and a few hours taking a test AND changing her diet are a no brainer. Just a thought. Oh and would she give her child koolaid made with 4-5 times the sugar every couple of hours after they are born, this would be about the equivelent if she is diabetic.

I was borderline. I was given a diet to follow. I think it was like 1/2 bagel with cottage cheese for breakfast... I was okay for the second test. The next test will give the doctors a better idea of what is going on. It has to do with the level of glucose in your blood. If there is a lot, then you are likely to be insulin resistant. Your cells are not getting enough glucose and your pancreas is working overtime producing insulin but your cells are not able to let in the insulin+glucose. (I recently read a couple of books about diabetes treatment and prevention.) Eating a higher fiber diet is good for reducing regular diabetes-eating whole grain cereal (bran or oatmeal), as well as increasing fruits and veggies (which is also good for the baby).
A big baby is not a good thing because you may end up needing a c-section. My last baby was a c-section for another reason. I wish I could have had a normal delivery. For most women, the diabetes will go away after pregnancy. I hope she passes and considers changing her diet for her and the baby.

This is so funny you asked this, I'm 23 weeks and was just talking about this issue with my husband last night!
With all 3 of my previous pregnancies, I have failed the first test by a few points, like your sister and always went back in to do the extra testing which is very time consuming and if you hate getting your blood taken, painful.....once an hour for 4 hours.

So I was telling my hubby if my first test with this pregnancy comes back a few points off, I'm not going to do the second one and put myself through that again when I keep passing the second test with prev pregnancies. Your BIL's friend is right, she could test at home every day and monitor her own sugars, pretty much what the doc would have her doing.

My situation is a little different though because a key issue with controlling gest diabetes is to prevent a BIG baby and to prevent an un-needed C-section. But I always have big babies and will be having a repeat C anyways so I know what to expect if I don't opt for the second round of tests.

You're sis is very borderline, just like I was, I would recommend her going back and doing more is she was off the charts but I don't think you or she has anything to worry about. Just let her talk to the OB about it, see what they think and go from there.

Good luck!

The problem with doing nothing is that as you get further along in your pregnancy the insulin resistance gets worse. If she is not able to control by diet, then you will have to take insulin. If she skips this, then she is putting herself and the baby at risk. I had gestational diabetes. By the end of my 7th month and into the 8th month I had to keep going back in to the doctor to adjust my insulin levels. It's really serious business. When my baby was born he had to go to ICU because his blood sugar levels were too low. This is not something I would take casually and blow off one point or 10 points. I wish your family a lot of luck.

I think your sister should go for the 3-hour GD test if not for herself but for her baby. I failed the 1-hr test by three points so I was told to take the 3-hr one and I'm glad I did because three of my numbers were horrible which meant that I had GD. I was luckily diet-controlled and had a very healthy pregnancy and baby. I wasn't excited about taking the 3-hour test either but I did it for my baby and followed the GD diet exactly and never had a high number those last three months. It was hard but I kept telling myself it was for my baby!

Oh and it's not really a special diet that she'll have to eat for three days prior to the test it's eating her normal diet and increasing her carb intake (my doctor gave me a list of what she wanted me to eat in addition to what I regulary would eat). It was very filling (extra bread, pasta, etc) but doable. Good luck to your sister.

My midwives considered 130 the cutoff, and I was 130, so they had me do the 3 hour. I passed the three hour, but I still think I might have developed GD... I had a 10 pound baby. The fact is that if she has it, it's better to know so she can get some help with her diet. As it is, 136 is quite a bit higher than the cutoff my midwives used, so I'd say to do the 2nd test and then decide after that how to proceed (if it's positive). More info usually doesn't hurt anything.

Considering the complications that can arise from gestational diabetes it seems really reckless not to take the proper test. Yes it's inconvenient but 3 days + 3 hours to help ensure her baby's health (and her own) is nothing really. I was gestational diabetic and diet controlled (i.e. no insulin or other meds). Can we assume the person at BIL's work was not gestational diabetic? It's not like regular diabetic and the standard test kit would not be the same. High blood suger will put your sister and her baby at risk - even if the test was borderline she should get the 3 day diet and 3 hour test for peace of mind.

My first pregnancy was diabetic (controlled by diet) and the other two were not. It is important to follow doctor's requests for tests and diet to support having healthy baby and healthy MOM. I ended up on special diet - fruit/veggies/whole grain carbs with protein and minimize the cookies, cakes etc. It turns out to be a healthier eating pattern that is good for the whole family. Its possible to work with a nutrition person to get help on diet modifications (suggestions of new foods to try and good snacks can help your household).
C.
mom of three

My Dr. wanted me to do the 3 hour blood test thing at the Diagnostics place and I refused (because I knew why I'd failed, I had been baking Christmas cookies the last 2 days and had eaten my weight in cookie dough so I knew I didn't have g.d. AND I'd have to take my 2 year old up there with me...can you imagine?). So, after a long discussion they agreed to let me test my blood at home 4 times a day for a week and then we'd go from there. Blood levels were fine (as I knew they would be) so I continued testing randomly the rest of my pregnancy (maybe 4-6 weeks) and baby was born perfectly healthy, normal weight, flawless delivery, ect. I can't say that she shouldn't listen to her dr. but that was my experience. Best of luck to her!

Hi!

I failed barely failed the GD test with 2 of my pregnancies and ended up taking the 3 hour test, which I failed (by 1 point) with 1 and barely passed with the other.
My midwife had to recommend all the standard treatment for a patient with GD even though I was so close. (I had to see a nutritionist, monitor my blood sugar 5 times a day-it was crazy). I did a little research and after a few weeks decided I was wasting my time. I knew more about healthy eating than the nutritionist and my blood sugars were always good.
My midwife wanted me to see a high risk doctor and was scared (for liability\malpractice reasons) that I was going against medical advice. I saw the high risk doc and he said I was fine and a woman should always trust her instincts. I am just a little bit slow at processing large quantities of glucose because I eat so healthy normally my body isn't used to it. He also said that the midwives are under scrutiny all the time and are so scared of "trouble" they always have to be cautious and cover their behinds.
In the long run everything was fine and I had a beautiful and healthy pregnancy, labor, and a healthy baby girl.

Good luck and good for you for looking into it more for your sister. She is lucky to have you!

why would you not follow the doctor's recommendations?

My OB told me that they were getting so many women failing the initial test but passing the 3 hour test. He said once they started writing "no juice, no fruit and minimal sugar in coffee the morning of the test" he saw a huge decline in the amount of failures.

She probably just had something with too much sugar that morning. I bet she will pass the 3 hour. I've never heard of having to go on a 3 day diet before the 3 hour test though. Maybe others have heard of this?