My doc's explanation of the importance of glucose test

I know we throw the 1-hr and 3-hr glucose test thing around a lot, but I honestly never really understood what alll this really meant.

Here's the situation in case you're interested (this is my interpretation of what the doc told me... I hope I get this right):

When you fail the glucose test in pregnancy, it could mean that a lot of your glucose is going to the baby and the baby has to produce more insulin to regulate sugars. If something isn't done about it during pregnancy, then when the baby is born, the baby's pancreas is still overproducing insulin, but not as much glucose is in the baby now, so the baby can - God forbid - seize.

If someone fails the 1-hour and then chooses not to take the 3 hour, then the hospital will consider you diabetic and test/prick the baby every hour for 10 hours when the baby is born to test the baby's levels.

I don't know who would refuse the 3-hr knowing that the baby would then suffer the consequences. I just found the whole basis of all this glucose talk very informative and wanted to share.

ETA: Remember... the danger is in not doing anything about it! I didn't post this to scare anyone, but to share info I just learned.

Message edited 5/19/2011 7:16:26 PM.

Re: My doc's explanation of the importance of glucose test

thanks for the info! I didnt know that...
but now im terrified for my 3hr. tomorrow

Re: My doc's explanation of the importance of glucose test

Posted by Dana517

thanks for the info! I didnt know that...
but now im terrified for my 3hr. tomorrow

Re: My doc's explanation of the importance of glucose test

ooo ok gotcha!!
thanks ! good luck to you on your 3hr!

Re: My doc's explanation of the importance of glucose test

yes that is indeed true.... as I am a GD so I've done extensive reading on it and I spoke to all my dr's about it in detail.

If you have GD that isn't under control and the baby turns out to be hypoglycemic once they are born (from their pancreas still working overtime) they will keep the baby in the NICU for some time... could even be days and days. Also they would have to medicate the baby to get blood sugar levels back to normal.

GD is a cause of loss in the 3rd trimester unfortunately.

Not only that, but you put the baby at risk for having regular diabetes at some point in their lifetime. And if your GD isn't under control then the baby could potentially end up with macrosomia, which is basically a fat baby, I believe it's usually the top half that's very heavy; they would then also be at risk for breathing problems. And the baby is also at risk for obesity in their lifetime.

But the upside is... a GD pregnancy that's under control isn't any different from a normal pregnancy in terms of side effects and outcomes. Catching the problem and eating healthy and possibly the addition of insulin if necessary makes all the difference.

I honestly never even heard of someone refusing to take the 3 hour test.

this is one of the best resources I've found for GD:

web link

Re: My doc's explanation of the importance of glucose test

Posted by teaforthree

Posted by Dana517

thanks for the info! I didnt know that...
but now im terrified for my 3hr. tomorrow

Well, if someone fails the 3-hour, it is addressed before the baby is born. The info about the effect on the baby is only if nothing is done about someone whose body isn't properly producing insulin.

My doc said I will most likely pass the 3 hour since I was only off by two points, but if I didn't take the 3 hour, they would consider me diabetic and have no choice but to prick the baby every hour when the baby is born.

Good luck tomorrow! Remember - the danger is in IGNORING the test.