New Approach to Gestational Diabetes Screening: The Fresh Test

For many families, the third trimester brings a mix of excitement and final testing to consider for their care. At Tree of Life Birth Center, our midwives believe that pregnancy is a normal physiological process. Families need to be educated and supported in informed decision-making and then monitored to ensure their pregnancy continues to be healthy. One of the key screenings during the third trimester is for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) – a condition that can develop even in women who eat well, live healthfully, and maintain balanced lifestyles. We’re here to walk you through why testing matters, and a new natural way to do Gestational Diabetes testing called The Fresh Test.

What is Gestational Diabetes and Why Should We Test for it?

Gestational diabetes occurs when hormonal changes in pregnancy make it harder for the body to manage blood sugar levels. It’s not a reflection of poor diet or lifestyle; even healthy, active, vegetarian mothers can develop GDM. Early detection allows for simple adjustments in diet that protect both mother and baby, helping to reduce risks like high birth weight, preterm labor, and blood sugar instability in the newborn after birth. If you are positive for gestational diabetes, daily blood sugar monitoring and dietary adjustments are generally all that is need to keep blood sugars in a healthy range. In some cases where dietary changes do not reduce blood sugar levels in the pregnant person, oral medication or subcutaneous insulin may be need to keep blood sugar levels normal.

How Midwives and ObGYNs Test for Gestational Diabetes

Traditionally, screening involves the “Glucola” drink—a highly processed, artificial glucose beverage that many expectant mothers find difficult to tolerate. Women report feeing nauseous and even vomit before the blood test can be done due to the corn syrup in the drink on an empty stomach. In more recent years, client’s questioned why they should drink something that seemed so unhealthy and high in sugar when they place so much care into their nutrition.

Until recently, there wasn’t a better evidence-based alternative to Glucola for Gestational Diabetes testing. As midwives, we have always advocated for options that respect both evidence-based medicine and natural living. Before becoming nationally accredited, Tree of Life Birth and Gynecology offered a special breakfast composed of a 50g carbohydrate load that clients ate one hour before coming into the office for the blood draw. Our clients appreciated being able to eat something that felt like a healthy choice that included protein while also being able to evaluate their blood sugar levels with relative accuracy. Other midwives use “The Jelly Bean Method” which is to eat 20-25 jelly beans and then draw blood one hour after to measure sugar levels. This may be slightly cleaner, but is still a high sugar method that can cause upset stomach in pregnant women.

However, because these methods are not a “standard of care” with evidence-based research supporting accuracy, we were not able to continue providing that option once we became a nationally accredited birth center. Thankfully, there is a new natural way to test for Gestational Diabetes.

A New Natural Way to Test for Gestational Diabetes

Our standard of care for Gestational Diabetes testing is now The Fresh Test. The Fresh Test is made with clean, real ingredients—non-GMO glucose derived from natural sources, no artificial dyes or preservatives, and a gentle flavor that’s easier on the stomach. It provides the same clinical accuracy for gestational diabetes screening, without the unnecessary additives.

We were very excited when The Fresh Test came out as an evidence-based option. Offering The Fresh Test empowers mothers to undergo essential screening in a way that aligns with their values. It’s a small change that supports trust, comfort, and holistic care throughout pregnancy.

Tree of Life client’s love this alternative and we have not had any women complain of nausea or vomit after drinking The Fresh Test! When it is your turn to do the gestational diabetes screen, we will ask that you not eat anything one hour before the test so that we do not add any sugars to the measured 50g in the Fresh Test. We will give you the drink, which tastes like lemonade, and record the exact time you finish drinking it. You will see the midwife for a regular appointment and then the lab tech will draw your blood exactly one hour after your last sip. A normal blood level is 135 or under. If your blood sugar is above this number you will need to do the diagnostic test which is a 3-hour glucose test after a 100g carbohydrate drink. But yes- we can use The Fresh Test 100g Carb drink for that as well!

Takeaway

Gestational diabetes doesn’t discriminate—even the healthiest pregnancies deserve careful screening. Using The Fresh Test at the start of the third trimester is a natural, effective, and chemical-free way to ensure both parent and baby stay well-supported through the rest of pregnancy. At Tree of Life Birth Center, we’re proud to provide midwife-guided, natural gestational diabetes testing that honors both modern science and holistic living.