WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

The Glucose Tolerance Test: What to Expect

Pregnancy
Pregnancy health
The Glucose Tolerance Test: What to Expect
The Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) is an important test in pregnancy, primarily used to screen for gestational diabetes – a condition that can develop during pregnancy.
Understanding what to expect during this test can help alleviate any concerns and prepare you for the procedure.
Understanding the Glucose Tolerance Test
Purpose and Importance
  • Screening for Gestational Diabetes: The GTT checks how your body processes sugar and is crucial for identifying gestational diabetes, which can impact both mother and baby's health.
  • Timing in Pregnancy: It's typically performed between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, but it may be done earlier if you're at a higher risk for diabetes.
Before the Test
Preparation and Dietary Restrictions
  • Fasting: You'll be required to fast for 8 to 14 hours before the test. Usually, this means no food or drink (except water) after midnight before the test day.
  • Dietary Considerations: In the days leading up to the test, you may be advised to eat a balanced diet that includes a typical amount of carbohydrates.
During the Test
Procedure and Steps
  1. Initial Blood Draw: After your period of fasting, your blood will be drawn to measure your fasting blood sugar level.
  2. Drinking the Glucose Solution: You'll then drink a sweet liquid containing a specific amount of glucose.
  3. Subsequent Blood Draws: Your blood will be drawn and tested several more times at regular intervals, typically every hour, for up to three hours.
After the Test
Recovery and Resuming Activities
  • No Downtime Required: There's usually no recovery time needed. You can eat, drink, and resume normal activities immediately after the test.
  • Possible Side Effects: Some women feel a bit nauseated or lightheaded after drinking the glucose solution, but serious side effects are rare.
Interpreting the Results
Understanding the Outcomes
  • Normal Results: If your blood sugar levels are within the normal range, no further action is typically required.
  • Elevated Results: Higher than normal results may indicate gestational diabetes, necessitating further evaluation and management.
Managing Gestational Diabetes
If You're Diagnosed
  • Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Managing blood sugar through diet, exercise, and monitoring is key.
  • Medical Management: In some cases, medication or insulin therapy may be required.
Q&A for Expecting Mothers
  1. Is the Glucose Tolerance Test safe?
  2. How long does the entire test take?
  3. Can I drink water during the fasting period?
  4. What should I do if I feel sick during the test?
  5. Are there any risks associated with the test?
The Glucose Tolerance Test is a key component of prenatal care, essential for the early detection and management of gestational diabetes.
By understanding what to expect and how to prepare for the test, you can approach it with confidence and ensure the best health outcomes for both you and your baby.
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Arianna
27 Oct 2023

So I failed my one hour glucose test, what can I expect from this? My dr didn’t really explain it when I asked all she said was that I need to do the three hour test and let’s hope for the best. Not that I’m hoping for the worst just that I want to know what to expect

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
27 comments
M
Marley Ray
They will probably give you the 3 hr test!
27 Mar 2024

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Marley Ray
I’ve seen ladies fail the 1 hour and pass the 3 hr and I’ve also seen it the other way around, keep your head up! It’ll all be okay 🫶🏻
27 Mar 2024

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Veronicalyn
24 Jul 2023

Glucose test tomorrow!! What to expect? I already have my drink, I have the orange one!!!

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
4 comments
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Autumn CPT
I've personally not done it but I have heard so much about it. Some say it is awful: the taste of the drink, the way it made them feel all the way around just awful. Others have said the drink tasted good but made them feel ill. While others liked the drink and didn't feel any negative affects. So I think it really depends on you, your body, your normal diet, and your headspace going into it. Goodluck momma❤️
27 Mar 2024

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Nevaeh
Which one? The 1 hour? All I did was drink the orange one ngl kinda good just real sugary lol, then we took blood(I think) and then I wanted an hour and they took more blood They asked if I had questions and then I left I was told to not eat before the appt 🤷 For a late dinner I had oatmeal lol
27 Mar 2024

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Idalia
1 Jul 2023

Hello mommies! I went in for my second glucose intolerance test today and failed again. This is my fourth baby and I've never failed one, and I am stressing. What am I to expect? Any meal plans? I am horrible at prepping and planning 😩

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
3 comments
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Angelica Perkins
You just going to have ti watch what you eat more then you did before, they might have u check your sugar with a finger prick a couple times a day to keep track of your sugar levels
27 Mar 2024

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Alexa
Did you do the one hour again or the 3 hour test?
27 Mar 2024

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Danielle
20 Dec 2022

Going for my 1 hour glucose tolerance test this afternoon, AND getting my Rhogam shot. Wish me luck 😭

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
2 comments
D
Danielle
thank you!! Good luck to you too!
27 Mar 2024

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Amanda
2 Dec 2022

So I got my glucose tolerance test done yesterday and the results came in this morning. It said mine was 144 and the in normal range is 139 and below. Has anyone else been slightly above average and didn't have to redo their test? I am really dreading having to do the 3 hour test!

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
6 comments
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Misty
Mine was slightly over at 152..waiting for them to call to find out what happens next as well
27 Mar 2024

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Misty
without eating before or during 😥
27 Mar 2024

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BabyJ’sMommy💙
31 Oct 2022

I passed my 3 hour glucose tolerance test ladies!!! I’m so happy I could cry!! I was so worried and prayed so hard! Tyj 🙏🏾

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
1 comments
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Desery’e 💙🩵🦋♎️
7 Sep 2022

Just called my doctors and told them I am not making any more efforts to take my glucose test , it’s been extremely frustrating trying to schedule an appointment and I’m over it , my doctors said if necessary they’ll test me and check my sugar a different way when I go in for my appointment the 17th , so I’m happy about that because all these different test and things are becoming a little overwhelming and I am high risk so I was trying but I’m not about to stress myself out over a glucose tolerance test when I’m almost sure my sugar is good anyways.

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
2 comments
S
Sarah
I wish they wld just do the glucose test in office anyways, its ridiculous to go sit in lab for an hour, seems unneccisary.
27 Mar 2024

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Desery’e 💙🩵🦋♎️
Exactly my thoughts, it would be waaay easier for all of us
27 Mar 2024

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Ciera
1 Sep 2022

So I did not pass my 1hr glucose tolerance test so I have to go back for the 3hr test idk if I should be worried at this point

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
7 comments
C
Ciera
This is my 2nd pregnancy and I did not go through this with my 1st pregnancy and didn't know how to react towards it I did some reading about it
27 Mar 2024

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Alicia🍂🎃🌙
11 Aug 2022

Just took my GD / Glucose Tolerance test.. that drink almost made me vomit after an hour. I'm so glad I didn't. Hope I passed though... Anyone else get nauseous from it?

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
15 comments
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Deuce Mom♒️
I haven’t taken it yet but i hope you pass !!
27 Mar 2024

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Alicia🍂🎃🌙
thanks 💙
27 Mar 2024

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t
tay
10 Aug 2022

26 weeks today lets gooooo 🎊🎊 next week i am scheduled for the glucose test its been 10 years so idk what to expect

Pregnancy Pregnancy health
6 comments
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Mayra
Ok 27 weeks get mine today and last time was 13 years ago 🙊🙊🙊🙊😫😫😫😫🤷‍♀️
27 Mar 2024

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Latavia
I take mines in a week and it's been 11 years.
27 Mar 2024

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