If you’re here, you likely searched for something like:
- failed glucose test
- failed 3-hour glucose test
- what happens when you fail your glucose test
- what to expect at my glucose screenings
- sugar shock glucose test
- throwing up after glucose test
And so I say: welcome! (Although I hope that what happened to me doesn’t happen to you!)
Since I originally shared this experience, I have gone on to have two healthy, beautiful baby girls (read their birth stories here and here). Despite the dramatic moments I had at the glucose test, please be assured that it’s very uncommon and I recovered after a little rest and relaxation!
A quick update on my story. During my first pregnancy, I failed my 1-hour glucose test, which meant I was ordered to undergo a second and more extended test.
These glucose screenings are designed to diagnose high blood sugar during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). The first test involves drinking a liquid that contains glucose and after an hour, having your blood drawn to test the sugars.
If you fail the first test, you have to do a tolerance test, which involves fasting and then another round of glucose screening with multiple blood draws.
[Tweet “My experience with the 3-hour glucose tolerance test (I hope this doesn’t happen to you!)”]
So, that brings us back to my experience!
I showed up to my 3-hour test armed with my laptop and free wifi to pass the time, so I wasn’t too worried.
I fasted and showed up at 8:15am. At 8:30am I was taken back and had my fasting blood sugar level drawn. I was handed the glucola, which was twice as sweet as the previous one, meaning it had 100g of sugar in it. Again, it didn’t taste bad, just syrup-y sweet.
This time, I had 10 minutes to drink it and I chatted with the nurse while I sipped away.
She told me some interesting facts:
- How you eat doesn’t necessarily affect your outcome. She has had large women come in, claim to eat McDonalds everyday and pass with flying colors, while other women, healthy and in shape (she was referring to me, right?! 😉 ) fail.
- In pregnancy, particularly as you enter the 3rd trimester, hormones are produced by the placenta to prevent the mother from developing low blood sugar.These hormones block insulin from doing its job. Typically the mother’s body compensates by producing more insulin, but not always.
After drinking my glucola, I was sent back to the lobby to wait for an hour and my next blood draw.
A minute or two after getting to the lobby I began to feel nauseous. I wasn’t surprised because I had felt that way during the 1-hour test. I took some deep breaths.
A minute later, my ears couldn’t hear anymore. I know that sounds odd, but I could barely hear anything.
I got up to tell the front desk I was feeling odd and ask them to keep an eye on me. By the time I got up front I was feeling woozy. Immediately they grabbed a wheelchair and plopped me down in it. I started feeling more and more woozy, then heard a nurse say ‘get the smelling salts!’
That’s the last thing I remember before waking up, surrounded by nurses and drenched in sweat. I had towels on my neck and red glucola all down the front of me.
Apparently I went into sugar shock during my 3-hour glucose test.
According to the nurse, my head fell backward, my eyes rolled back and shut, then I threw up all over myself.
Disgusting.
I was so embarrassed and immediately worried about Baby D. The assured me that baby was fine and I could feel lots of activity from my belly and it put me at ease.
They kept me in a back room to monitor me because my blood pressure was low (60/40). Slowly it began to rise and finally got to 94/60.
I was excited to leave and get out of my vomit-covered clothes. Unfortunately, my blood pressure dropped back down again, so I had to wait a bit longer. The doctor came in, brought me some Wheat Thins and had me walk around to bring up my blood pressure. It worked and I was released.
I talked to Hubbs the whole way home. Good thing because as I was driving, I got light headed and sweaty again. I had to pull over and started getting really scared I was going to pass out again. I got out, walked around, walked to McDonalds and bought a small fruit smoothie. By that time, I felt well enough again to finish the drive home.
After a long shower, an egg and 1/2 a bagel, I finally began feeling normal. But I was exhausted. I spent most of the day recovering on the couch.
You probably have questions, so here are a few quick answers.
What Happens When You Pass Out During the 3-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test
Did I have to retake the test?
No. Thank goodness! Usually if you throw up, you have to reschedule, but after my body’s response, the doctor did not want me to retake it. I received finger pricks at my remaining appointments to monitor my blood sugar.
Did I have Gestational Diabetes?
No. The doctor said that a 143 score wasn’t a big deal, especially since I had eaten before the test. I wish he would have decided that before I had to come in for the 3-hour.
Is passing out during a glucose tolerance test a typical experience?
No. Although it’s not unusual to feel sick to your stomach, blacking out and throwing up on yourself rarely happens according to the nursing staff.
Other Facts from my 28-week pregnancy appointment
Weight gain: According to the doctor’s scale, I had gained 16 pounds total at this point. My scale said 21-22 pounds. Quite the difference! I’m not sure which scale to believe.
Iron Levels: Dropping. I wasn’t anemic, but my levels were lower than when I started. Since I rarely eat red meat, the doctor suggested I add it in once a week and they’d monitor it.
I also added in some red meat, kept up with the spinach and beans and cooked more with my cast iron skillet. (Foods you cook in cast iron absorb some iron, and therefore, so does your body)
And of course, the belly shot!
Happy 28 weeks 🙂
Bonnie says
OMG what a horrible experience for you to go through by yourself. Glad everything is ok and you don’t have GD.
Great baby bump pic!!!
Stephanie says
Wow! What a horrible experience, passing out (well pre-passing out) is definately the worst feeling, I’m so glad to hear you and baby D are better now.
Jen says
Omg Brittany! You poor thing! I can’t believe you had a reaction like that. I’ve passed out during the test before but not until the 4th or 5th hour. Yikes! I am so glad you and baby are ok! And great news that you don’t have gestational diabetes!
Your baby bump is adorable 🙂
Kelly says
Oh my goodness! I am so sorry Brittany you had to go through that! At least you were at the doctors…I would have been too scared to drive home! Your baby bump is Oh So Cute as usual!
Sarah says
Eek! I’m so sorry you had to go through that! Drinking straight sugar can’t be good for the body at all- I wish doctors would do something else to test blood sugar to begin with!
Heather says
I am sorry you had such a horrible reaction and passed out. That is awful. I’m glad you and Baby D are okay. I love the pic of you and Koda sleeping on the couch and your baby bump is so cute.
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
oh no!! I am so sorry you had to deal with that and that you are feeling a little better.
on a brighter note–you were in my dream last night! I was in the delivery room when you had your baby! random, i know 🙂
Karen says
Oh, I am so sorry you had to go through that but at least you are feeling better. I am afraid to take that test but hopefully everything works out for me. I will be in my second trimester next weekend so that’s very exciting.
Jen says
i’m so sorry you had to go through that yesterday. so happy that you and baby are okay and feeling better. hugs to you!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
omg how scary!!!! i’m so glad you’re ok!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Brittany how scary!!! I’m glad you do not have to take the test again.
Donna @ Love, Run & Travel says
Oh my gosh, how horrible for you, i was super worried reading your post
Glad you are feeling better and don’t have to take the test again
Love the baby bump pic 🙂
Anastasia says
Oh my goodness.. that sounds horrible! I’m glad everything is okay though and you don’t have to retake the test. I think a day of relaxing is in order after that!
Maria says
How scary! Im so glad you are okay and don’t have to take that awful test again.
Roz says
Holy smokes Brittany!!! Glad you and Baby D are both ok! And that Koda is right beside you as you rested!!! Take care of yourself!!!!!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Oh my goodness. You had quite the experience. I am so sorry that you had to go through it. But good thing you are okay..and baby D is okay. And.. even better that you do not have to do it again.
I’ve gotten light headed while driving a few times.. and it is super scary. Glad yo uwere able to pul over safely and get some sugars into your system!
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
oh my gosh, how scary!!! You poor thing! I am glad to hear everything is okay though!!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
That’s a terrible thing to happen! I’m so sorry you had to go through that.
I once fainted at a Subway (sandwich shop) while I was in there craving a steak sandwich (which I never do!). While I waited I fainted and later found out when I was brought to the hospital that I was anemic. It’s funny that by craving a steak sandwich my body was trying to tell me something.
I’m surprised they let you drive yourself home though! I hope you feel better today.
Suzanne says
Oh Honey! I am so happy you and Baby D are okay. How scary! It was really scary for me just feeling like I was going to pass out, but you actually did OMG, I can only imagine. I hope you are feeling better today. Get some rest this weekend and lots of water. I was have craved burgers a lot during my pregnancy so I wasn’t surprised to find out that my iron counts have been lower too. Hope you have a good weekend and feel better 🙂
Christina says
Take good care of yourself and get lots of rest this weekend!! Tell that husband of yours to pamper you this weekend 🙂
Mac says
How scary is that! Luckily you were in the doctors office when that happened! Glad you are starting to recover!
Corey @ the Runner's Cookie says
Oh no, I’m sorry about that scary and unpleasant experience! As soon as you said “I couldn’t hear anything” I knew exactly what was going to happen, because that’s happened to me before at the doctors right after they took my blood and then made me drink orange juice – couldn’t hear, passed out, threw up. Good thing you don’t need to take it again!!
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
Wow! Thats a frightening story but I am glad to hear that all is well. My mom passed out in an elevator when she was pregnant and scared the life out of the ppl in there with her. Apparently she says fainting was a regular occurance for her because it was hot out! eek!
Graze With Me says
Oh. My. God. Reading that post makes me want to give you a big hug. I’m so sorry you had such an intense reaction! That’s incredible….and I’m sorry you had to deal with it alone too!
Seriously, why didn’t they give you the clear version of the drink instead of red??? Mine was clear and I remember feeling relieved since I’m sort of wary about food dye. It just seemed “safer” in my opinion. Anyway, not the point. (Although it would’ve been easier to clean up!) The point is I’m glad you’re ok and you don’t have to do it again. Being only 3 points over I’m surprised they made you do the 3-hour one in the first place.
Doctors, grrr…..I swear they try to put band-aids on everything.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I’m so sorry to hear about your ordeal!!! You poor thing! I hope you’re feeling better than ever today. 🙂
christina says
oh my gosh, you poor thing!! i’m glad you are feeling better — that must have been so scary! tell your hubby to take good care of you and baby!!
Sarah for Real says
OMG how scary! And how freaking pissed off I would be! I don’t know how you walked out of there without dropping some major eff bombs. Ridiculous that they put you through that for NOTHING. “Err of the side of safety” my ass.
Errign says
Oh my gosh, what a horrible experience! I passed out because my blood pressure dropped while flying in January & puked Jamba Juice all over myself. So embarrassing. I’m so glad you’re okay 🙂
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
Wow glad you are okay. What an experience!!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
Oh my goodness. How scary. I’m glad you and Baby Dare okay, and so sorry you had to go through all that.
Katie H says
Oh my gosh what an awful experience! I am glad that you are okay- that sounds so unpleasant. Why couldn’t the doctor decide 143 was okay BEFORE the drink? Boo.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Yuck! I hate fainting or feeling like your going too! Hope you feel better. ( Cute baby bumb pic! )
McKayla @ Green Groats says
Brittany, I hope you are feeling better! This sounds like quite the scare. Glad you don’t have to take the test again.
Brittney says
Wow, what a crazy day! I’m so sorry you went through all that! Glad you are doing better and moving forward from that. Hope the rest of the pregnancy is smooth sailing!
Jess @atasteofconfidence says
Glad you are both okay!!
blackhuff says
I’m so sorry to hear about this awful experience of yours. I’m just glad you and the baby is fine.
Nicole, RD says
YOU POOR THING! OMG 🙁 Those tests are HORRIBLE! I feel so bad for women having to do them! GD is my biggest fear. I have major BG isseus — it drops low after intense exericse and it always “high” (90-106) in the morning and goes down as soon as I eat. I am so bizzare. But I do check my BG frequently (unfortuantely!). I’m glad you don’t have GD, though! Phew!
Kelly @foodiefresh says
Oh gosh! What an unpleasant experience! I’m so glad they’re not going to make you go through all of that again. And of course the nurse was referring to you. 🙂
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
I’m catching up on your blog – can’t believe your experience! Ugh – sounds miserable! So glad you and Baby D are fine!!
Paulina says
Hi Brittany,
What a horrible experience! I am taking my 3 hour test in two days and I’m nervous. I would have been so nervous to drive myself home after passing out like you did! I’m new to your blog, which I found from your comments in the Being Pregnant post on the 3 hour GD test. I just went back and read all your ‘baking baby D’ posts and you’re healthy active lifestyle through pregnancy is inspiring me! I was active prior to getting pregnant, but my first trimester knocked me out, and I still haven’t gotten back into any kind of exercise routine since then. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ashley M. [at] (never home)maker says
Wow. I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. I’m so glad you and the baby are OK. But that doesn’t sound fun at all!!!!! 🙁
Gagan says
What a scare, but very happy to hear that you and Baby D are okay!! Love hearing about your healthy, nutritious pregnancy experiences. You’re an inspiration. 🙂
Palak says
Hi Brittany
I came across this forum today and wanted to ask few questions since I just had a similar experience today myself. I failed my 1 hr glucose test last week with score of 159 and I was called in for a 3 hr test. I am still 21 weeks but my doc insisted on GD test earlier since I have diabetes in family. I went in today morning by myself. I fasted overnight and had my blood drawn for the first time. The she had me drink a highly concentrated glucose drink and I was waiting int doctor’s sitting area for my next hour blood drawn. Almost 20 mins later I started to feel dizzy and went at the window to ask the receptionist if I could lie down but before I could complete my sentence I fainted flat on floor and I think I just sat on my butt. I can’t really recall what happened but the staff helped me get up, I think I was able to walk with their help and get to a room where I could lie down. The nurse checked my heartbeat and pressure which she said was ok. Immediately I was concerned about my baby I wonder if the baby got any jerk when I fainted. I asked the doc if she could may be check his heartbeat or do a quick ultrasound. Looks like she checked the baby’s heartbeat and it looked fine to her and I was happy to complete all the three blood drawns for the test. I am a little worried about the result but I know even if I am detected with GD I will try to control it via my diet. I am still more concerned about my baby. This is my first baby and I’ve been only feeling little flutters in my lower belly but I am too exhausted today after this episode to really concentrate on my baby flutters. I really hope the baby is fine!
Kath says
Interesting that you mentioned the nurse told you about the folks who eat McD’s and pass with flying colors. Caitlin (the RD Caitlin who i know in CLT) had GDM and she said that the only other people she knows who have ever gotten it were also RDs! Probably a pretty healthy group. We discussed a theory that healthier eaters are not as used to dealing with large doses of sugar as those who might sip on soda all day long and are therefore more likely to “fail the test” even though blood sugar levels on their normal diets might be totally within normal limits. It’s kind of cruel that the test is so unrealistic for healthier eaters – they should just make you have your normal breakfast and then test and see what happens (if there is a way to control that). REAL FOOD would be a more realistic test!
I really hope I don’t faint. I am a fainter..and get nauseous easily!
Danni says
I passed the 1 hour test but the hospital makes patients do the 3 hour test regardless. I went to do the 3 hour test this morning didn’t even make it to the hour. I felt light headed and sick and needed to lie down. I got to a bed just in time. Then I vomited 🙁 I was tryin so hard not to 🙁 so now I have to wait 48 hours to do the next 3 hour test. But I’m wondering what will happen Id I can’t keep that one down too? Does anybody know how many times they make you do the test before they give up?
mercy says
Honey i’m glad u and baby D are fine. Cheers
rw says
It’s all so unscientific. But who knows if you would have passed the 3 hour or not. My 1-hour was 146 and I failed the 3-hour. It was all very frustrating…
Rebecca says
I have to go in for the 3 hour glucose test too and I’m nervous because I get extremely nauseous and light headed if I don’t eat. I don’t want to throw up :'( I hate that. Is there another way to get out of it?
gayathri says
Hi Brittany,
I was so relieved to come across this post.The same experience happened to me today.I am in my 23rd week I dint throw up, but fainted 3 times, Just like you.I did search on Indian website,strange that dint find any matches with my Indian counterparts.
Thanks for writing this blog.I tot something is wrong only with me and panicked. Now I am at peace.
🙂 happy to hear your fine and baby D is doing good.
Christa C says
I am going through something similar now. My 1 hour test came back 143. I have to do the 3 hour test now too. I feel so frustrated.
Libby says
Great info! Thanks for sharing your experience. So happy to hear that this reaction is not common. I have my glucose test this week and it’s been a source of constant stress for a couple of weeks now.
Tara says
I have heard so many horror stories about this test, and since I have a sensitive stomach I was worried. Well the (looks like water) drink is only 10 oz and it actually tastes pretty good, I had a choice of flavors. I had 5 minutes to drink it. It made baby kick at first, and halfway through my hour wait I started feeling very tired due to sugar crash. Fell asleep in the waiting room. At no time did I feel nauseated even though my stomach was empty prior.
Lauren says
I passed out both times during the 3 hour test with my first two babies! I have my 1 hr coming up and if I fail it this time, I’m just going to ask to monitor my blood sugar at home for a couple weeks and forgo the 3 hour. I can’t go through that again!
Danielle says
Same thing happened to me today. I went in for the 3 hour test due to my 1 hour test result being at 148. After the first 20 minutes my stomach started to cramp like I needed to go to the bathroom badly. I go to the bathroom, and nothing. I go back to my chair to wait for the remaining hour. I start to feel sweaty, and my head starts hurting. I raise my hand to get one of the nurses attention like they asked me to at the beginning. Next thing I know everything is going black and I seemed to have vomited on myself in front of about 20 other patients. Three of which were there for their one hour test. I can only imagine the horror on their faces.
Claudia says
That is exactly what happen to me today at my 3 hr glucose test.. my blood pressure drop to 70/30 and I was kept almost all day at the emergency room because my blood pressure wouldn’t go up.. I thought I was the only one that passed thru this it does really feel horrible it’s the worst experience someone could go thru.. I’m much better now thursday I have dr appointment hopefully I dont have to do the test again I’m so afraid it’s gonna happen again..
Joelle says
Omg! So I did a quick google search after having my 2 hr glucose yesterday and your story put me at ease..thank you..
My husband couldn’t understand what I meant when I said I couldn’t hear. Thankfully I didn’t pass out but had all the other symptoms. Thank you for sharing
Ps I too had egg on a bagel when i got home and then passed out 😀
Ivie says
Hi, I just found your site and read about your experience with the glucola. I am sorry you had to go through that. It is so incredibly scary.
I passed out right after the initial glucola drink with my first pregnancy and then with my 2nd pregnancy they had me eat an insane amount of jelly beans within a minute and the same thing happened. Needless to say, with my last 2 pregnancies the obgyn and I decided to just do a fasting test and then one after eating and everything was fine.
Hannah says
Thank you so much for posting this! The same thing happened to me yesterday at my glucose test 🥺 I made it 40 minutes into the first hour, feeling completely fine, and then BAM I instantly lost hearing and was beginning to lose sight. So I told my husband to get the nurses. He got up and next thing I know I am waking up to throw up all over me and about 4 people holding me up on the bench I was sitting on. Traumatic for sure.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow, I’m so glad you are ok! It’s a scary experience for sure.
R.J. says
I am in L&D roght now because of this test. I didn’t pass out but it made me so sick and I started having chest pains and back pains radiating down my left arm. I had the sickness with my 2nd pregnancy and now this 4th. NEVER DOING THIS TEST EVER AGAIN! They thought I was having a heart attack.
Veronica says
Thank you for sharing this! I unfortunate was told if I vomited or passed out during the 3 hour glucose challenge, I would need to retake it. Makes me very scared to take it since I did not tolerate the initial test. I got dizzy and almost passed out from just the first one.
Thank you for sharing your experience though because it’s very helpful to know and speak to my doctor about it further.
Sarah says
This literally just happened to me! I passed out in my chair and woke up to liquid spewing out of my mouth and everyone in the waiting room staring at me. It was so unpleasant. My shirt was drenched. Luckily my mum worked nearby so she was able to drive me home. My midwife is going to see if they can just look at my starting levels after fasting for the night, so hopefully I won’t have to try it again.
Brittany Dixon says
I’m so sorry it happened to you, too! I hope you can avoid a second test. <3
Desiree says
This morning I fainted after the 1 hour glucose test, and came home to Google about it. It’s amazing how many people it happens to!
I’m a fainter at blood draws in general, but it happened before they even drew blood. The drink was making me feel sick on an empty stomach and the doctor was talking for what felt like a long time, but I was losing the ability to concentrate on what she was saying. I told her I think I’m going to throw up, so she sat me up from the reclined position I was in, and that’s when I lost consciousness.
My partner says he caught me around the waist but I doubled in half and my head broke the nurse’s clipboard that was somewhere nearby. I don’t remember any of that, nor do I feel pain from it. But I did feel weak the rest of the day. I fortunately did not throw up so was able to complete the test, but if they send me to do the 3 hour version, I think I will have to decline! 😅
Thank you for sharing your experience with this test!
Victoria Sheppard says
I had my GD check yesterday and my experience was so similar to this! The muffled ears, fainting and vomiting is horrible. Glad to know it doesn’t mean I have GD.