Hi Mamas! First I should say there is no way to “cheat” the 3 hr test bc you fast before and the test is very accurate (unlike the 1 hr test) so these are just my ideas for handling the very not fun 3 hr test.

1. Eat and hydrate plenty the day before. You cannot have water after you start the test.

2. Bring your partner, friend or parent to the test! 3 hrs is a long time and you probably won’t feel great - I loved having my Mom there while my partner was out of town, she and I chatted throughout and it made the time go by faster and she held my hand for each draw :)

3. They will warn you about this, but it is very possible that the super sweet drink will make you nauseated or lightheaded after the first hour or so. My advice, just ask them if you can spend the whole 3 hrs in a recliner chair in the lab. I DID NOT do this at first, and felt ok for the first hour but when they did my next draw I very nearly passed out! It also made me very nauseated. They let me recline for the rest of the test and I felt totally fine - wish I had just even lying down the whole time.

4. Have a plan to eat and drink immediately after the test!

That’s it hang in there Mamas, and solidarity. FWIW, I also passed the test!