This test is a standard test for pregnant women to take to check for gestational diabetes. This is a temporary form of diabetes brought on by the hormonal changes in pregnancy causing your body to not respond with insulin correctly, thus allowing your blood sugar levels to become too high. (Read more about it here.) Now there are a few problems I had with doing this test again.
Needless to say I felt the need to request an alternative when my OB started in on telling me this would need to be done. Now my first OB was EXTREMELY allopathic, and really not open to any of my more naturally minded ideals. It wasn't a good fit for us as I ended up switching to a more flexible doctor who allowed me an alternative.
I had purchased a glucometer a few years prior to keep an eye on the random hypoglycemia bout I had had, I was very familiar with how to use it, and the general "normal" range to look for. So after discussing it with my new OB, she agreed to let me track my blood sugar at home and report back. I had to take a fasting glucose each morning when I woke up, eat and write down what I ate, then two hours later take another glucose test. I did this for 3 days, then sent her all of the information. My numbers were great, and I never had to do anything all that out of the ordinary.
Now, had my results not been normal, we may have had to revisit the test discussion, and possible treatment, but I would have asked about dietary control methods and natural supplementation from one of my really good friends, a Naturopathic Doctor who actually helped me become healthy enough for pregnancy in the first place! (P.S. she does Skype visits and is AMAZING!!)
This post is meant to encourage you to research your options and make an informed decision on your healthcare. Doctors have gone through a lot school, and do know a LOT, but they don't know everything, they are ultimately just people too. Find a doctor who will work WITH you, and who allows room for discussion instead of lordly dictatorship. If you end up having to shop around a bit, do it! It is SO worth the difference in care and respect.
- I had been randomly checking my glucose levels throughout my pregnancy as I have had issues with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in the past, and wanted to be sure things were all doing well. The checks had all been totally normal.
- Then there is the fact that this is a fasting test, so you can't eat or drink anything but water for several hours before, or during and frankly this is completely counter intuitive. I mean who wants to deal with a grouchy, hungry pregnant lady? In reality this is a bad idea because frequent small meals including protein are part of fighting morning (all day or night) sickness, so not eating is asking for trouble.
- The ingredients in the sugary drink you would be given may include: Water (non-carbonated), D-Glucose (source corn), Citric acid anhydrous, Sodium benzoate, Orange flavor, Yellow dye #6. The only thing in this list that is actually proven to be good for mama or baby is the water! The rest are synthetic (fake) or sourced from GMO's (more on that in another post).
- The lowest amount of sugar given is 50 grams in one drink, or even as much as 100 grams. I personally don't often drink soda, but even the higher sugar drinks have less than that, and I know that my body would not be prepare for that kind of overdose without me feeling sick anyway.
Needless to say I felt the need to request an alternative when my OB started in on telling me this would need to be done. Now my first OB was EXTREMELY allopathic, and really not open to any of my more naturally minded ideals. It wasn't a good fit for us as I ended up switching to a more flexible doctor who allowed me an alternative.
I had purchased a glucometer a few years prior to keep an eye on the random hypoglycemia bout I had had, I was very familiar with how to use it, and the general "normal" range to look for. So after discussing it with my new OB, she agreed to let me track my blood sugar at home and report back. I had to take a fasting glucose each morning when I woke up, eat and write down what I ate, then two hours later take another glucose test. I did this for 3 days, then sent her all of the information. My numbers were great, and I never had to do anything all that out of the ordinary.
Now, had my results not been normal, we may have had to revisit the test discussion, and possible treatment, but I would have asked about dietary control methods and natural supplementation from one of my really good friends, a Naturopathic Doctor who actually helped me become healthy enough for pregnancy in the first place! (P.S. she does Skype visits and is AMAZING!!)
This post is meant to encourage you to research your options and make an informed decision on your healthcare. Doctors have gone through a lot school, and do know a LOT, but they don't know everything, they are ultimately just people too. Find a doctor who will work WITH you, and who allows room for discussion instead of lordly dictatorship. If you end up having to shop around a bit, do it! It is SO worth the difference in care and respect.