Are you in the second or third trimester of pregnancy? If so, here are the best glucose test pregnancy tips you will want to know before you take your glucose test!
Pregnancy is an exciting but sometimes stressful time in a woman’s life. There are so many things to keep in mind such as your pregnancy diet, whether you’re exercising enough, making sure your baby is getting enough nutrients to grow, and so much more. Plus, there is a ton of bloodwork and tests throughout the pregnancy.
This post specifically talks about gestational diabetes, the glucose test and why it’s so important. It also includes the best glucose test pregnancy tips so you know exactly what to expect (and what to eat) before you take the test!
This post is all about the top glucose test pregnancy tips.
Glucose Test Pregnancy Tips
1 Hour Glucose Test
The glucose test is another of the many pregnancy tests you will take and is usually done when you are between 24 to 28 weeks pregnant. It involves drinking a sugary drink that contains 50g of glucose and getting your blood drawn one hour later to test your blood glucose levels. You usually do not have to fast before this test.
3 Hour Glucose Test
If you do not “pass” the 1 hour glucose test, your doctor will ask you to come back for a 3 hour glucose test. Typically, you will be required to fast for this test and will get your blood drawn immediately to get your fasting glucose levels. Afterwards, you will be asked to drink a sugary drink that contains 100g of glucose. You will then have your blood drawn after one hour, two hours and three hours.
I recommend bringing something like a book to keep you distracted and entertained since you will be at the lab for about three hours for this pregnancy test.
| Interval | Abnormal Reading |
| Fasting | 95 mg/dl or higher |
| 1 hour | 180 mg/dl or higher |
| 2 hours | 155 mg/dl or higher |
| 3 hours | 140 mg/dl or higher |
Why is it Important?
The glucose test is so important because if any of the four glucose draws done during the 3 hour glucose test come back higher than normal, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a high blood sugar condition that some women get during pregnancy. It’s pretty common in pregnancy but can only be detected through a blood test since it rarely causes any symptoms.
A positive result from the 1 hour glucose test doesn’t necessarily mean you have gestational diabetes. But it prompts your doctor to send you for the 3 hour glucose test, which is the longer and more definitive test to determine if you have gestational diabetes or not.
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will work with your doctor and sometimes a diabetes specialist and/or nutritionist. Together you will develop a plan that covers, management of gestational diabetes, a proper diet, and medication.
Typically, your high blood sugar goes away after pregnancy but just to be safe, those with gestational diabetes will have another glucose test about six to eight weeks after delivery.
What To Eat Before Glucose Test Pregancy
While there isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s safe to say that you should avoid foods that are high in simple carbohydrates. These include:
- Sugary breakfast cereals
- Bagels
- White bread
- Chips
- Crackers
- Fruit smoothies
- Granola
- Fruit flavored yogurts
- Donuts and pastries
- Muffins
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Ice cream
- Candy
- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Sweet tea
- Flavored coffee beverages
- Juice
Instead of consuming foods from the above list, is it recommended to eat foods that are high in complex carbohydrates, fiber and that are naturally low in overall carbs. Some examples of this include:
- Wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Whole wheat pasta
- Beans
- Lentils
- Nuts and nut butters
- Seeds
- Oats
- Some fruit
- Vegetables
- Eggs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Cheese
- Plain greek yogurt
- Olives
- Avocados
Disclaimer: If you are already in the early stages of gestation diabetes, eating foods from the recommended food list above will not make you magically pass the glucose test. Sometimes gestational diabetes just happens and there’s nothing you can do to fight it.
Will the glucose test make me sick?
Some moms experience nausea or even throw up after drinking the sweet glucose drink. Eating a few hours before the test can help and in my experience, drinking the glucose drink when it is ice cold really helps.
Usually moms feel sicker during the 3 hour glucose test though, given the drink is twice as sweet and you are drinking it after fasting.
But if you do get sick shortly after drinking the liquid, you will usually be asked to come back and repeat the test another day.
Glucose Test Pregnancy Tips
The glucose test will detect if you have gestational diabetes or not but a few things you can do to help prevent gestational diabetes include:
- Healthy eating – Eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and cut back on foods and drinks with added sugars.
- Moderate exercise – Moderate exercise, such as walking, can help keep your blood under control.
- Maintaining a healthy weight – Your doctor will be monitoring you throughout pregnancy, but gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy can help manage blood sugar levels. Here is an overview of recommended weight gain during pregnancy.
This post was all about the top glucose test pregnancy tips.