https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 00:13:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1727378 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 13:26:46 +0000 Lolo 1727378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U: thanks for this I hadn't considered rescheduling to my next appointment, I am only 20 + 4 so there is plenty of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726977 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:54:43 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1726977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is standard for those in the USA, but I did decline the test for the same reasons you listed. I had none of the risk factors. My mom had gestational diabetes with her last two kids (not me), but that was a result of her being overweight I think. My midwife told me that there are other ways to keep an eye out for GD - such as weekly/monthly growth above normal - measuring both cm and weight, fluid retention (edema)... I gained about 1 lb a week on average, and my midwife said 2+ lbs a week consistently would be a factor to consider... Because my midwife was comfortable with allowing me to opt out, I decided to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726931 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:42:57 +0000 avivoca 1726931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's standard in the US. I don't know how comfortable I'd feel driving alone to a hospital in the middle of the desert though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726926 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:41:46 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1726926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely standard in the US. I know quite a few people who don't have any of those "risk factors," but still had GD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726615 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:12:57 +0000 pui 1726615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In Canada (At least Ontario) everyone is screened.</p> <p>I'd just get the test. The 1 hour one isn't bad at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726609 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:11:21 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1726609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find those "risk factors" silly. The people I know who have been diagnosed with GD wouldn't have fit into those anyway. I would've definitely been at risk and I passed with flying colors. Definitely take the test if you can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726553 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:00:44 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1726553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely take the test. So many women have it without having any of the risk factors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726527 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:55:34 +0000 autumnlove 1726527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely take the test. I had no risk factors but I had GD for my second pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726181 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 07:32:50 +0000 Boheme 1726181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it! One of my friends had zero risk factors but had GD that had to be managed with insulin both pregnancies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726177 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 07:31:10 +0000 Ocean girl 1726177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup, it is standard here in Canada... I just rolled with it since everything else was very hands off since my pregnancy was low risk (2 ultrasounds at 13 and 20 weeks and not one single cervical check until the day I delivered DD). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726149 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 07:13:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1726149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is standard and if you have those risk factors (I did) I got to take the test twice (once at like 18 and again at 28 weeks). </p> <p>There may be other ways to check for diabetes if you really don't want to drive to take the test. Like monitoring your glucose doe a period of time? </p> <p>Can you take the test at a time when you're already going to the hospital over that way? So you don't have to make a special trip? It really doesn't matter when you take the test (before 28 weeks). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726145 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 07:11:26 +0000 Dandelion 1726145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it. I had two pregnancies that had gestational diabetes that was missed. First one ended up a 6.5 lb 8 week early preemie and the second was a 10 lb baby who I lost during labor. My third was diagnosed and I was monitored closely and I was able to bring my baby to term (39 weeks). He was only 7lbs 4 oz.</p> <p>It doesn't take long to test. I am of the mindset that it's better to be safe than sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726137 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 07:06:30 +0000 tinyperson 1726137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it - everyone in Canada is screened. I had zero risk factors and had it. Better to know than not! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726112 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 06:43:19 +0000 Adira 1726112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think in the US, everyone gets screened! I would probably do it, even if you didn't have the risk factors (unless it was really expensive), just because I'd rather be on the safe side and GD can be dangerous for your baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726063 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 05:17:49 +0000 lamariniere 1726063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had one baby in the US and one in Austria and it was standard practice in both places. I had zero risk factors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726058 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 05:09:41 +0000 hummusgirl 1726058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no risk factors but did have GD, so I'd say do the screening. I had no idea they don't test everyone in the UK! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726057 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 04:51:18 +0000 Charm54 1726057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In Canada we have a public health system and they screen everyone. I didn't find it that bad, just a drink and a blood test! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726053 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 04:16:42 +0000 nana87 1726053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was standard at my drs practice-- I had the 1 hr test and don't have any of the risk factors you mention. Also didn't have GD though </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726048 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 03:49:48 +0000 matador84 1726048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't if I were in your shoes. I didn't do it with my second pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726047 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 03:49:46 +0000 MrsRcCar 1726047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the USA it is standard practice to take the test. The one hour test isn't too bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-everyone-screened-for-gestational-diabetes#post-1726043 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 03:24:42 +0000 Lolo 1726043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am currently living in the Middle East where the system is very different to the one I have grown accustomed to in the UK, for the first time in my life I am dealing with a private healthcare service &amp; I find the whole thing very confusing.</p> <p>In the UK you are only screened for GD if you have the following risk factors;</p> <p>-body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more – you can use the healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI</p> <p>-you have previously had a baby who weighed 4.5kg (10lbs) or more at birth – the medical term for a birth weight of more than 4kg (8.8lbs) is macrosomic</p> <p>-you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy<br /> you have a family history of diabetes – one of your parents or siblings has diabetes</p> <p>-your family origins are South Asian (specifically India, Pakistan or Bangladesh), black Caribbean or Middle Eastern (specifically Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon or Egypt)</p> <p>I have none of the above yet I have been asked to perform the test on Sunday. My experience of the healthcare system here is that they are overzealous and/or perform unnecessary tests, ultrasounds etc as a money making exercise. </p> <p>Should I have the test? FYI the hospital is over an hours drive away in the middle of the dessert, I will have to go alone. </p>