Pregnancy Glucose Screening Alternative

Here’s the story of how and why I used a pregnancy glucose screening alternative. The story actually starts with my mom.

My Mom’s Gestational Diabetes

My mom had gestational diabetes (diabetes caused by pregnancy) while she was pregnant with me so I’ve always been a little bit nervous about the glucose screening during pregnancy. I tend to worry about stuff like that.

When I was pregnant with first child I got so worked up and worried about it that by the time I had my finger pricked to check my glucose levels, I was nauseated with worry and convinced I was nauseated because I was diabetic. Le sigh. I’m really good at making myself nervous about stuff.

My second pregnancy was completely different. I really had no reason to think I was diabetic – I felt great and healthy so I didn’t worry as much.

Pregnancy Glucose Screening Choices

Since I was using a homebirth midwife, instead of the typical sugary drink to test for gestational diabetes, I had the option of eating a very specific healthy breakfast. Both methods will spike your sugar in the same way, but the breakfast contains protein and carbohydrates, representing a typical meal.

I find this to be much more of a realistic scenario, instead of fasting and then basically drinking a big ‘ol sprite. Drinking that has to make any pregnant lady feel poorly.

Pregnancy Glucose Screening Alternative Instructions

Here are the complete and detailed instructions I was given for my pregnancy glucose screening alternative.

Starting at midnight I was to start fasting – no eating, but drinking water was OK. The following morning I was to time my breakfast so that by 8:45 am I took my last bite. My midwife would be at my home by 9:30 am to prick my finger and check my blood sugar levels.

Pregnancy Glucose Screening Alternative Meal

Here’s what I ate and drank as a pregnancy glucose screening alternative:

• 8 ounces of milk
• 8 ounces of orange juice
• two pieces of whole wheat toast
• two eggs
• 1 tablespoon of butter

When my super cool midwife arrived at my home and pricked my finger, my blood sugar levels were at 104. She said it needed to be below 150, which meant I passed!

Glucose Test vs Glucose Screening

If it were higher, I would probably have had to go do the three hour blood glucose test as opposed to the one hour glucose screening during pregnancy, which is what I did.

In other news, Diana (my midwife) also told me that my baby was head down (woot!), I’ve gained 18 pounds (woot?), and I’m almost in my third trimester (holy woot crap).

What About You? How much weight did you gain by the end of your second trimester? And did you get to eat a meal or did you drink “the drink”? Were you aware of your baby’s position at 27 weeks?

PS – I went on to have a very normal birth, with a very normal sized baby – Eden!