I had no idea what to expect at the glucose tolerance test in pregnancy, I’ve heard horror stories of this glucose drink.
However, this is something that needs to be tested for during pregnancy.
What is the glucose tolerance test?
A Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) is a blood test that they do to test gestational diabetes which can develop during pregnancy.
It will measure your body’s ability to maintain a normal blood glucose (sugar) level.
When is the GTT done in pregnancy?
The GGT is done between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. For high risk pregnancies they tend to do them earlier at 16 weeks especially if you have had gestational diabetes before.
How to prepare for the glucose tolerance test (GTT)?
You have to ensure you stop eating by 11pm the night before. This test has to be done completely fasting.
The only thing you can have is water from then on.
Don’t eat chewing gum, sweets or smoke before the test.
How long will the Glucose Tolerance test last?
This test takes a total of 2 hours and a half.
What happens at the glucose tolerance test?
I arrived early at the hospital’s clinic with my maternity notes. They ask you to go to triage.
The midwife will ask about the baby movements, overall health , if you’ve had the test before and safety at home. Which is so new compared to what I have experienced before, I feel NHS maternity care has improved a lot.
Then they send you with a paper to the phlebotomist which will take a vial of blood.
She will give you the Glucose drink which lucky for me has been improved. It is no longer of thick consistency, it’s very watery, has an orange flavour and actually tasted like lucozade.
The nurse said you have to drink it within a few minutes and I chugged it like a champ.
I did start to get a migrane after five minutes.
You are asked to wait for 2 hours before your next blood test in the waiting area as they want to ensure nothing compromises the test and also given you haven’t had any food you may possibly pass out.
So the wait begins, I did feel nauseous and definitely a migraine.
After your second blood test, you can eat and leave. Yay!!!
When do they give you the results?
They take your phone number so after 5 working days they contact you.
They call you either way , wether the test turns positive or negative.
How did I feel after the glucose tolerance test?
Unfortunately, I had migraines and wanted to vomit. I had to drink a lot of water to flush it out of my system.
It just didn’t agree with me.
I hope this helps if you are feeling apprehensive about the glucose tolerance test. Comment below and let me know if you have had it?
