Did anyone refuse the gestational diabetes test?

[marieb]

Thank you all for the info and opinions

I did some reading and found that SOGC (I'm in Canada) has found no evidence for routine screening among women with no risk factors. I also thought it was really interesting how Canada/USA do routine screening while the UK only screens women with risk factors. Seems obstetrics is full of conflicting information!

My midwife appointment is in 2.5 weeks and I'm very interested about what they have to say.

 

[jamhs]

My opinion on why USA/Canada do more tests etc is because they have a payment system with insurance companies. The more they do, the more money they get. Same with booking in inductions and giving epidurals. I'm American, but my dh is English and we live in the UK, and my family think completely different than I do about the birthing process. They don't get home births or anything like refusing unnecessary screening.

 

[aliss]

Our system in Canada is socialist like in the UK, not the US.

 

[amjon]

They don't do the GTT for all women in the US... I was actually counseled by my midwife that it may unnecessarily subject me to interventions.

They do in Florida.

 

[amjon]

My opinion on why USA/Canada do more tests etc is because they have a payment system with insurance companies. The more they do, the more money they get. Same with booking in inductions and giving epidurals. I'm American, but my dh is English and we live in the UK, and my family think completely different than I do about the birthing process. They don't get home births or anything like refusing unnecessary screening.

I honestly don't think they do ENOUGH screening. I think they should check thyroid levels on everyone and check for common blood clotting disorders (and I bet ANY mother of a stillborn would feel the same). If I had know some things I could have possibly saved one or all three of my babies before they died. If you don't have the screening that is offered (and recommended and FREE), then you really have no one to blame but yourself if your child dies.

 

[gryphongrl]

If you don't have the screening that is offered (and recommended and FREE), then you really have no one to blame but yourself if your child dies.

Amjon, I definitely see where you're coming from, and can't even imagine the pain of having a stillbirth. From my viewpoint, this is the home and natural birthing forum. I am not at all the person who tells anyone where and where not to give their opinions, but your views are consistently pro-medicine and pro-testing and it just puzzles me... I am confused why you continuously come on this forum in particular and knock us for our beliefs. This post really goes over the top. The reason some of us refuse tests is because we believe just as strongly as you do that what we're doing is what is best for OUR babies. Imagine if I said, "if your child dies because you <circumcised, formula fed, have an elective c-section, got a flu vaccine, whatever> you have no one else to blame but yourself"?! That would be completely, totally out of line and not at all respectful of other people's beliefs, and I think what you said is also completely and totally out of line.

If you mean that you blame yourself for the loss of your child, please don't, you don't know what the outcome would have been if you had changed anything, and you are not responsible.

 

[amjon]

If you don't have the screening that is offered (and recommended and FREE), then you really have no one to blame but yourself if your child dies.

Amjon, I definitely see where you're coming from, and can't even imagine the pain of having a stillbirth. From my viewpoint, this is the home and natural birthing forum. I am not at all the person who tells anyone where and where not to give their opinions, but your views are consistently pro-medicine and pro-testing and it just puzzles me... I am confused why you continuously come on this forum in particular and knock us for our beliefs. This post really goes over the top. The reason some of us refuse tests is because we believe just as strongly as you do that what we're doing is what is best for OUR babies. Imagine if I said, "if your child dies because you <circumcised, formula fed, have an elective c-section, got a flu vaccine, whatever> you have no one else to blame but yourself"?! That would be completely, totally out of line and not at all respectful of other people's beliefs, and I think what you said is also completely and totally out of line.

If you mean that you blame yourself for the loss of your child, please don't, you don't know what the outcome would have been if you had changed anything, and you are not responsible.

There is a HUGE difference between a simple blood screening and a medical intervention that may be unneeded. I wanted (and still do) as natural a birth as possible. I planned a birth center birth, but ended up having to be induced to deliver a stillborn. I was offered an epidural numerous times and continued to turn it down time and time again during my labor. Screening is done ONLY for the good of the mother/ child and really is virtually risk free, so I don't really understand the purpose of refusing something that only gives you more information. A c-section or epidural DOES carry risks and should be weighed (and I would refuse both unless in an emergency situation), but a screening blood test does not. Medicine can be a great help to us now. To refuse something that will not harm you in any way (other than a quick prick to collect the blood) and could save the life of both you and your child is something I consider silly. At one point I was told my losses may have been caused by blood sugar issues, so it can be a real problem in pregnancy and is the reason it is given to everyone here. It doesn't mean that I'm not pro-natural birth (or at least as natural that can be done safely).

 

[Reidfidleir]

I did. I also did not have any risk factors. Tried to eat a balanced diet anyway

 

[Jezzielin]

I'm finding myself very irritated today. I did not refuse the test but then failed my 1 hour glucose test. Then I had to take my 3 hour yesterday and they are refusing to give me my results, as they will only give to to my doctor. Kinda bull because yesterday they tried looking it up for me and they said the results weren't up yet. Now today the lady said she won't look for me.

I don't think I would have refused, if it truly uncntrolled, it can be an issue for baby and it will turn the excess glucose to fat, thus bigger baby and more risk of not having a natural birth but feeling a bit slighted they won't give me my results when I know they are right there. Just be nice to know and not wait now a total of three weeks on all these tests before they say, "oh yea, we need to make some changes". Great thanks for letting me in on it now. Sorry rant.

 

[Hangin_On_AGS]

I'm refusing, I have issues keeping my blood sugar high enough, because of this and other factors I eat a very balanced diet, small non carb loading portions frequently I stay away from any fast fix sugars... Basically I'm already eating a diet for someone who has diabetes because it helps keep my sugars up and stable which I need to try and reduce the amount of seizures I have.

Because I already have dealt with blood sugar feelings matched with a number on a monitor I can tell you what my blood sugar is around pretty darn accurately based on how i'm feeling. and If I feel that my blood sugar is constantly higher than my normal I will go and have the glucose test for the safety of my baby

I also have no other risk factors

Can I ask maybe a stupid question? There was a comment that these test have virtually no items to weigh.. However is there really concrete evidence out there that having us drink that sugar mix is 100% safe? it's a variable that cannot be controlled. I can understand if it was just a blood draw but they are adding another variable that I'm not sure i'm comfortable with

 

[rachiedata]

I will definitely refuse next time - only had one last time because my BMI was slightly high (I was wearing Doc Martens for my booking appointment) and my father has type 2 diabetes from being middle aged and into the good life, nothing particularly hereditary, yet I was still "at risk". The three hour test last time was a drag, and that was even with the bonus time off work, escaping the hospital after I'd been "advised" to stay in the waiting room... can't image what a bugger it would be this time.

Entirely correct that you can develop GD with or without risk factors. If you're worried, get the test, if you've no problems or concerns or symptoms...?