Question about Gestational Diabetes testing

I am only 10 w 4 d but will be going to my doctor next week and want to discuss with her testing for gestational diabetes.  At my initial appointment with the nurse, I opted not to take the test becuase I did not want to drink the sugar drink and dump.   I asked if there was another way to test and the nurse said no but I could have sworn that I have read something on the board about an alternative test that we can do.  If you guys can help me out, I would appreciate it.  Thanks.

I just spoke to my Dr. about this yesterday. He said another option would be to test your sugar in the morning and after meals (like you would if you had GD) for a few weeks and record your numbers. If you have issues, it will show up as higher then normal readings. I do dump on sugar, so I know I can't do the test. Just remember you don't have to do it.
There may be another way to test, but I don't know what it is. Sorry I couldn't help more!

my doctor has said we'd do a different type of fasting test.  he gave no real details but didn't say it would be weeks long and that I'd have to test at home or anything.

you do NOT have to do the glucose drink. period.

Yeah, I already told my hubby that I am not doing the glucose drink as I did not want to feel like I was dying.

Hi,

I discussed this yesterday with my MD.  He gave me four options:
1. Check my own blood sugar with my glucometer,
2. do the drink,
3. take the test with jelly beans, or
4. go to the hospital and have the glucose IV.
I choose the fourth option, but I am going to ask how many jelly beans I would have to eat.  Then I can figure out if I will dump on that.  I have do do the test three times, since I have had gestational diabetes twice. I am hoping that my weight loss was a cure for this! Good luck there are options.

Ask for a 5th option -- the post paradinal test.

Thanks for the suggestion.  That would be what I would check if I used my glucometer at home.  I would monitor fasting and postprandial blood sugars.

The post paradinal test that andrea said is best for us after weight loss surgery. It is the most like what our body does. I mean we really don't go drinking sugary drinks or eating a crapload of jelly beans....so why would that be a good representative of how our body handles sugar?? This test is where you go in fasting, eat a normal balanced breakfast and go back 2 hours later and test again, to see how your body reacts to the foods we 'can' eat. The a1c is the three month test...and can give a little idea as to where you are with your diabetes control in general.

Emilie... I hate to tell you hon, but wl helps with type 2, but not necessarily gd. Even thin women get gd. It has the most to do with how your body handles the extra hormones from baby. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to eat the gd diet and exercise to prevent gd...it just happens. That is what happened with me and emma. I am not saying you shouldn't try your hardest to keep it at bay...but don't take it too personally if you do get it. Also, it is good that you are monitoring early, because as you know it is better to take care of it right away than let it linger.

Good luck to you both. Shari

Thanks Shari,

I am hopeful that I will not have it again with this pregnancy.  I had it with both of my previous pregnancies.   

My hope is that without the extra hormones stored in the fat that I lost I will be better able to tolerate the hormones from the baby.  Believe me I will take it as it comes.  The ADA diet that I followed is pretty much what I eat now.  If I have to take insulin at any point it really isn't that bad,  I 've done it before.

 My doctor had me fast overnight and then go for bloodwork first thing in the morning.  And then go have a nice normal meal and come back 2 hours later for another blood test.  He also had them check the levels over the last 3 months in the initial requisition.