Gestational diabetes

I had mine on Monday and they took blood when I arrived after I’d fasted since the night before. Gave me the sugar drink which I drank and then I just sat and watched Netflix for 2 hours until they did the 2nd blood draw and I went home. Definitely take a book or download some shows/podcasts

I had mine today honestly it’s not as bad as I thought. They take your bloods first, you have the drink (they gave me a cup of water to wash it all down) and then after 2 hours you have your bloods taken again. My two hours went by so quick but that’s only because they asked me if I was happy with baby’s movements and I said no, so they sent me to the maternity ward for observation. Before I knew it the two hours had gone by.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get the results back from this? Thank you!

I had mine yesterday - blood test in one arm, then a lemony flavoured drink - which was not what I was expecting to be so thick so just a heads up in case yours is the same, but they did give me water afterwards - then 2 hour wait and then another blood test in the other arm. The 2 hour wait flew by! 2 women nearly fainted in the waiting room, simply because they hadn't eaten enough late enough the night before so please eat tactically this evening, I forced a sandwich down at 9.55pm and I'm so glad I did!

You have a blood test, sugary drink then wait for 2 hours before getting a 2nd blood test to see how your body has metabolised/responded to it.

You go in then get your bloods done you take the drink which doesn't taste bad it's just really thick then u have to leave for 2 hours during which you can not drink or eat then after the 2 hours you go back and get your bloods done again and that's it

I have GD and was diagnosed at 20 weeks currently 26 weeks now. Basically you monitor your blood sugar levels with a finger prick kit and reader 6 times a day before and after every meal and send weekly updates to the GD team on your readings so they can monitor that you're in target. They will give you advice on what to eat and how to change your diet to try and manage it that way if you struggle they will then look at giving you medication to help you lower your blood sugars. I was able to lower mine with diet but found I wasn't eating enough and was constantly hungry so they have put me on medication now so I can eat a little more / slightly more normal portions so I don't feel hungry. GD lasts for the whole pregnancy so if you do have it be prepared to do the blood testing and sending you're results weekly to the GD team at hospital for the remainder of your pregnancy. Hope this helps, feel free to message me if you have any questions about GD I can try to advise from my own experience if I can.

Thanks everyone! 🫶🏾

Anyone got their results back??

@Sabrin yes got mine back 4 days later as it was bank holiday

Had mine today, they will prick ur finger and measure your fasting blood sugar level, if it’s below 10 then they will take a vial of your blood, make you drink the sweetest syrupy thing you’ve ever had, then wait 2 hours and then take another vial of blood. If everything’s ok, they won’t tell you, you’ll only find out if something is wrong

They take your bloods give you a glucose drink you wait 2 hours I watched Netflix when I was pregnant with my 1st and I will this time round too as mines next week and then they’ll take your bloods again xx

So glad I found this post because I have mine tomorrow too! I'm really concerned because I have morning sickness still and it only stops by 9 ish once I've eaten enough. I guess I'll have to see how I get on! Good idea to eat lots the night before, I might have a tactical sandwich at 10 to 10!

@Lucy thanks for the tip, I'm dreading mine because I'm so hungry in the mornings (and always have a nightmare with blood tests - two in one morning! Ugh!)

@Lucy please don't dread it, there is nothing to worry about, and I'm a total appointment anxiety kind of gal! It isn't as lovely as the scans, and midwife check ins, sure, but well worth doing and nothing tons of ladies haven't done before. I promise, you'll be fine - just be sensible the night before and DEFINITELY take a snack with you for afterwards! 🥰

Is this something that everyone has? When do you get offered it? I have my 28 week midwife apt tomorrow and am having bloods but not been told about GD test

@Kirsty you’re told about it at your first booking appointment with your midwife. I had mine due the fact that there’s a history of diabetes in my family and I’m high risk. It might be different for everyone tho and possibly different trusts have different policies

@Aba thank you I’ll ask my midwife about it tomorrow as it’s not been mentioned to me. I don’t have history of it in my family so that could be why

@Kirsty I had one because my BMI is over 30. Might be different at different NHS trusts. X

As people have said above! Mine came back high and looks like I may be going straight to insulin 🙈 but I’m having to monitor my levels for a few days first at home. Think I’m probably in the minority. Most try to control with diet first. Next step is metformin tablets and if that still doesn’t control it then insulin. I’m really hoping I can get away with metformin but it’s not looking likely 😔

@Sarah Good luck 🤞🏼 Hopefully a change in diet will help too, but it does take a while to figure out what you can tolerate. I’ve been on metformin and insulin since 16 weeks and actually the insulin isn’t so bad, it’s not the nicest thing injecting yourself but at least there aren’t many side effects from it!

@Hannah I’m going straight on insulin unfortunately,just heard back today and they aren’t happy with my numbers over the last few days.x

I've had my results back already, and I don't have it, thank goodness! 🥳

I'm shocked they havnt explained what happens to you. You need to be careful as different area have different rules e.g some ask for you to stop eating 12 hours before, and some from midnight for example. I'd try look online for information of YOUR area. I was given an information sheet from midwife on what to do. The 2 hours is waiting In between blood samples to test what happens to your blood 2 hours after drinking a glucose drink.