I have gestational diabetes.
And I'm not happy about it.
Here's what this means:
I will meet with a dietician in the next week or so to determine what I should and should not be eating in order for my body to process sugars efficiently. Then, she will send me home with a kit and a tracking sheet, as I will have to prick my finger and test my blood before every meal. Every meal. Awesome. I used to look forward to meal time, now I have to inflict pain.
This is not my fault.
I asked the nurse if there was anything I could do to prevent this and she said no. This is not the result of anything I did or could have done differently. This is just my body reacting to how it processes sugar. She said that sometimes the placenta can store more sugar than it needs to, which can lead to this diagnosis.
And, I think my doctor's office (though I very much love and trust them) is being overly cautious. The first result was one point over. They did four blood draws for the second test, and two were high. This tells them that I have GD. But wait--two were high... so then two were low! Shouldn't it be a 'three strikes you're out' rule? I don't get it. And I think it's a lot of worry and stress on my body to go through all this, and that can't be good for the baby either!
But, I'll do what I'm told. I'll endure the next 14 weeks (or however long he stays in there cookin') and will make the best of it. I'm not going to jeopardize his health by NOT listening to the doctors, so here we go.
Hold on tight baby, this road is gonna get bumpy. Mommy might cry. She already has a lot. Daddy might cry (he doesn't do needles or blood). He's being a trooper though and really supporting Momma. In fact, he's making dinner right now and promised to pamper Mommy a little tonight... yes please!
So there you have it. Let's talk about it. Let's keep telling me that this isn't my fault and I couldn't have done anything differently. It is what it is, and I'm going to be strong and get through this for my health and the health of my precious little peanut... who will be fine. And perfect. And wonderful. And here before I know it.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Awaiting the results
The test on Friday went well... until the end. When I got sick. :(
We started at 8am and they drew my blood first, then had me drink the WHOLE bottle of the nasty stuff. Oh man, those first few gulps aren't so bad, but then I held the bottle up and realized I had a LOT more to drink. "I can do this," I said aloud... and chugged.
The timer started for the first hour, and I was doing great. I went to the comfy room that they set John and I up in; I had a huge leather recliner to rest in, John sat in a chair next to me, studying for class on his laptop. I read a little bit in my "What to Expect" book about gestational diabetes, and part of it helped, part of it was hard to read. It confirmed that it's not the worst thing to happen, but then it said that having it could increase the mother's and baby's risk of developing diabetes later on in life. That's exactly what I fear! But, we don't know if I have it yet, so we'll see. (I know, I'm probably being way too dramatic and everything will be fine.)
When the timer had a few minutes left, I went back to the nurse to get poked again, this time in the other arm. Not so bad, set the clock for another hour. Rinse and repeat, right? By the third blood draw (which hurt, cause that arm was already poked once and was very sensitive), my tummy was growling!! I can't remember the last time I went this long without eating--even before I was pregnant!
After the third blood draw, John was thinking about heading into work. But for some reason (partly because I was just enjoying some quiet relaxing time with my hubby), I asked him to stay. And when the timer had 20 minutes left on it, we found out why he was still there. Without much warning (just enough for me to pull my hair into a ponytail, actually) I got sick. Well, not really sick, it was really just dry heaving because there was NOTHING in my stomach!! But I grabbed the trash can and between heaves asked him to get the nurse. He's amazing at taking care of me; he's really stepped up through all this. Two very sweet nurses came in and put cold washcloths on my neck and head (ruining my hair thankyouverymuch!) and laid me back. I didn't really even feel dizzy or nauseous, just weak. Hello!? I haven't eaten since 8:00 the night before, and you're taking blood! Are we done yet?
John helped walk me back to an exam room, where the nuse laid me back for the last draw. It's amazing he came with, the man hates needles!! I usually do great with needles, I just can't watch them go in, but it doesn't bother me too much. But I think she used the same spot as the last one in that arm! I used to give blood regularly and am actually bummed I can't right now, but for good reason. :) Anyway, she gave me apple juice and crackers afterwards which helped, but wasn't enough. I stopped and got lunch on my way into work and pretty much inhaled it.
When I got in the car after saying goodbye to John, I cried. He felt horrible learning this later; he asked, "what could I have done differently? I was there to support you so that it wasn't too terrible to endure, but you were crying?" Well, yes, but the funny thing was, I didn't know why I was crying. I was frustrated that I had gotten sick right at the end, but my body was just reacting. I guess it was reacting too when my hormones took over and I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't help it and I didn't know why!!
It made for a very exhausting day, and I anticipate tomorrow being the same. When the doctor's office calls, it will either be good news or bad news. I mean, I honestly feel that the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is bad news. I know it's not the end of the world, I know some women who have had it and survived and have some amazing kiddos... it's just something I didn't anticipate dealing with, and I hope I don't have to.
So tomorrow is D-day and I'll update once we know the outcome.
We started at 8am and they drew my blood first, then had me drink the WHOLE bottle of the nasty stuff. Oh man, those first few gulps aren't so bad, but then I held the bottle up and realized I had a LOT more to drink.
The timer started for the first hour, and I was doing great. I went to the comfy room that they set John and I up in; I had a huge leather recliner to rest in, John sat in a chair next to me, studying for class on his laptop. I read a little bit in my "What to Expect" book about gestational diabetes, and part of it helped, part of it was hard to read. It confirmed that it's not the worst thing to happen, but then it said that having it could increase the mother's and baby's risk of developing diabetes later on in life. That's exactly what I fear! But, we don't know if I have it yet, so we'll see. (I know, I'm probably being way too dramatic and everything will be fine.)
When the timer had a few minutes left, I went back to the nurse to get poked again, this time in the other arm. Not so bad, set the clock for another hour. Rinse and repeat, right? By the third blood draw (which hurt, cause that arm was already poked once and was very sensitive), my tummy was growling!! I can't remember the last time I went this long without eating--even before I was pregnant!
After the third blood draw, John was thinking about heading into work. But for some reason (partly because I was just enjoying some quiet relaxing time with my hubby), I asked him to stay. And when the timer had 20 minutes left on it, we found out why he was still there. Without much warning (just enough for me to pull my hair into a ponytail, actually) I got sick. Well, not really sick, it was really just dry heaving because there was NOTHING in my stomach!! But I grabbed the trash can and between heaves asked him to get the nurse. He's amazing at taking care of me; he's really stepped up through all this. Two very sweet nurses came in and put cold washcloths on my neck and head (ruining my hair thankyouverymuch!) and laid me back. I didn't really even feel dizzy or nauseous, just weak. Hello!? I haven't eaten since 8:00 the night before, and you're taking blood! Are we done yet?
John helped walk me back to an exam room, where the nuse laid me back for the last draw. It's amazing he came with, the man hates needles!! I usually do great with needles, I just can't watch them go in, but it doesn't bother me too much. But I think she used the same spot as the last one in that arm! I used to give blood regularly and am actually bummed I can't right now, but for good reason. :) Anyway, she gave me apple juice and crackers afterwards which helped, but wasn't enough. I stopped and got lunch on my way into work and pretty much inhaled it.
When I got in the car after saying goodbye to John, I cried. He felt horrible learning this later; he asked, "what could I have done differently? I was there to support you so that it wasn't too terrible to endure, but you were crying?" Well, yes, but the funny thing was, I didn't know why I was crying. I was frustrated that I had gotten sick right at the end, but my body was just reacting. I guess it was reacting too when my hormones took over and I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't help it and I didn't know why!!
It made for a very exhausting day, and I anticipate tomorrow being the same. When the doctor's office calls, it will either be good news or bad news. I mean, I honestly feel that the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is bad news. I know it's not the end of the world, I know some women who have had it and survived and have some amazing kiddos... it's just something I didn't anticipate dealing with, and I hope I don't have to.
So tomorrow is D-day and I'll update once we know the outcome.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Things Women Don't Talk About: Part 3
Note to reader: the title of the post is a means of therapy for me. I've found that unless you have sisters, a mom you can talk to about anything, or close girlfriends, women don't usually talk about all the gross details of being a woman. (Parts 1 & 2 are in draft mode; later topics to come as well.)
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Last Friday I had my 24-week OB appointment and endured the hour-long drink-the-nasty-crap-and-wait-for-your-blood-to-be-drawn glucose test. It wasn't as bad and I had expected it to be (let's be honest, as other people had warned me it would be). I psyched myself out. But the stuff didn't taste THAT bad, the waiting was fine--although the receptionist did say that I would have my appointment with the doctor during that hour, and she lied--and the blood draw was practically painless. No problem. When I finally met with the doctor, she said they'd have the results on Monday and that no news was good news. Awesome. I've got this. I'm fine.
So today, when the doctor's office number showed up on my phone as a missed call, I was not-so-fine anymore. Uh... you have news? Shoot.
I called back nervously, figuring that they just wanted to settle my fears and tell me that the test results were normal. Wrong again. The nurse explained that they want my blood sugar level to be under 135 and that mine was at 136. One stinking point! One point!! So as a result, I have to go back for a three hour glucose test where I'll drink twice as much of the nasty stuff, then wait three hours during which time they'll draw my blood FOUR times. THOSE results will tell them if I have gestational diabetes.
Before today, I've never known anyone personally who had gestational diabetes (my co-worker, who heard me crying on the phone* came over to talk to me; she went through the same thing two years ago and did have gestational diabetes). And before that, when I did hear about someone else having it, it always sounded so scary and serious. Like bed rest. So my first reaction was fear. I don't know enough about it to understand it, so I'm scared. I thought I had done something to harm my baby, but was told over and over that this isn't my fault. I worried that this meant I gave my baby diabetes. That's devastating to think about, and so not fair to him!! Luckily, also not true.
I pray every day for a healthy baby, so hearing the term "gestational diabetes," I let my mind wander to dark unknown places and blamed myself for this (possible) diagnosis. As it turns outs, the greatest worry for the doctors is that my baby would be born big. My co-worker told me that her doctor warned her of a 9 pound baby, so they induced her a week early. Her son was a beautiful, healthy, 6 lb. 15 oz. boy, perfectly healthy (and absolutely adorable!) Okay, I feel a little better. My sister told me of her friend that also had gestational diabetes, and her 7-month-old daughter is in the 6th percentile for growth now.
So I know what the implications can be if the expectant mother doesn't follow doctor's orders (strict diet, testing your blood, etc.) but it really isn't the end of the world. I have psyched myself out again, but I know that my going back for the second round of testing doesn't necessarily mean I have it. My first result was so low, that it might turn out just fine. Then again, it might turn out that I have it, and the next 15 1/2 weeks will be challenging, but doable. There are some women that deal with much more serious things during their pregnancy. I will be fine.
My problem has always been that I like all the wrong foods (just ask my mother). I also just really like food period, so I've struggled with weight most of my life. In fact, I was worried that I would not handle the pregnancy weight gain well (10 pounds up so far, and about 15 or more to go--yikes!) but I know that there is a greater reason to gain weight, and bikini season (HA!) will just have to wait. Luckily, summer will just about be over by the time I imagine being anywhere near (or wanting) to shove myself into a swimsuit. Phew!! This little guy is already worth every pound though.
So, I called and scheduled the dreaded 3 hour test for Friday morning this week; the nurse said I could do it anytime in the next two weeks, but I didn't want to dwell on it any longer than I had to. I'm just going to go and get it over with. I'll update with the results once I have them.
That being said, if you're a praying woman and you're reading this, please say a prayer for my health--both physical and mental--during this testing. Like I said, I know it isn't probably as serious as I'm making it, but I am taking it seriously and hoping for the best. God is in control. I emailed my mom earlier to say that I know that God is the one making this baby, I just get to keep him warm while he grows and make sure that I'm doing right by him. In the diet category, I think I can do better.
*My number one rule is that I don't cry at work. I broke my own rule today. Fail.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Last Friday I had my 24-week OB appointment and endured the hour-long drink-the-nasty-crap-and-wait-for-your-blood-to-be-drawn glucose test. It wasn't as bad and I had expected it to be (let's be honest, as other people had warned me it would be). I psyched myself out. But the stuff didn't taste THAT bad, the waiting was fine--although the receptionist did say that I would have my appointment with the doctor during that hour, and she lied--and the blood draw was practically painless. No problem. When I finally met with the doctor, she said they'd have the results on Monday and that no news was good news. Awesome. I've got this. I'm fine.
So today, when the doctor's office number showed up on my phone as a missed call, I was not-so-fine anymore. Uh... you have news? Shoot.
I called back nervously, figuring that they just wanted to settle my fears and tell me that the test results were normal. Wrong again. The nurse explained that they want my blood sugar level to be under 135 and that mine was at 136. One stinking point! One point!! So as a result, I have to go back for a three hour glucose test where I'll drink twice as much of the nasty stuff, then wait three hours during which time they'll draw my blood FOUR times. THOSE results will tell them if I have gestational diabetes.
Before today, I've never known anyone personally who had gestational diabetes (my co-worker, who heard me crying on the phone* came over to talk to me; she went through the same thing two years ago and did have gestational diabetes). And before that, when I did hear about someone else having it, it always sounded so scary and serious. Like bed rest. So my first reaction was fear. I don't know enough about it to understand it, so I'm scared. I thought I had done something to harm my baby, but was told over and over that this isn't my fault. I worried that this meant I gave my baby diabetes. That's devastating to think about, and so not fair to him!! Luckily, also not true.
I pray every day for a healthy baby, so hearing the term "gestational diabetes," I let my mind wander to dark unknown places and blamed myself for this (possible) diagnosis. As it turns outs, the greatest worry for the doctors is that my baby would be born big. My co-worker told me that her doctor warned her of a 9 pound baby, so they induced her a week early. Her son was a beautiful, healthy, 6 lb. 15 oz. boy, perfectly healthy (and absolutely adorable!) Okay, I feel a little better. My sister told me of her friend that also had gestational diabetes, and her 7-month-old daughter is in the 6th percentile for growth now.
So I know what the implications can be if the expectant mother doesn't follow doctor's orders (strict diet, testing your blood, etc.) but it really isn't the end of the world. I have psyched myself out again, but I know that my going back for the second round of testing doesn't necessarily mean I have it. My first result was so low, that it might turn out just fine. Then again, it might turn out that I have it, and the next 15 1/2 weeks will be challenging, but doable. There are some women that deal with much more serious things during their pregnancy. I will be fine.
My problem has always been that I like all the wrong foods (just ask my mother). I also just really like food period, so I've struggled with weight most of my life. In fact, I was worried that I would not handle the pregnancy weight gain well (10 pounds up so far, and about 15 or more to go--yikes!) but I know that there is a greater reason to gain weight, and bikini season (HA!) will just have to wait. Luckily, summer will just about be over by the time I imagine being anywhere near (or wanting) to shove myself into a swimsuit. Phew!! This little guy is already worth every pound though.
So, I called and scheduled the dreaded 3 hour test for Friday morning this week; the nurse said I could do it anytime in the next two weeks, but I didn't want to dwell on it any longer than I had to. I'm just going to go and get it over with. I'll update with the results once I have them.
That being said, if you're a praying woman and you're reading this, please say a prayer for my health--both physical and mental--during this testing. Like I said, I know it isn't probably as serious as I'm making it, but I am taking it seriously and hoping for the best. God is in control. I emailed my mom earlier to say that I know that God is the one making this baby, I just get to keep him warm while he grows and make sure that I'm doing right by him. In the diet category, I think I can do better.
*My number one rule is that I don't cry at work. I broke my own rule today. Fail.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Our boy's got rhythm!
No wait, just hiccups.
I was never so happy to have my little peanut moving around so wildly a week or so ago that he woke me up, and when I realized the consistent rhythm of his movement (similar to what I had felt the night before), I realized that our boy may not be the next best drummer, instead he had the cutest hiccups this Momma has ever experienced!!
My own hiccups are quite loud and violent (I annoy myself!) but my little guy's are... adorable. :)
Next on the cute list was my dear husband when he felt his son move inside my belly for the first time. I've been trying to have him feel it for weeks, but every time he comes over and puts his hand on my belly, the kid gets stage fright. But yesterday, I woke up to my little acrobat doing quite the routine! So, I quietly reached over, and without a word, put John's hand on my belly. We had been lying in bed awake for awhile but hadn't spoken yet, so when I made this motion, he gave me the sweetest look of anticipation. Suddenly, our baby kicked, John gasped and said aloud, "Well I felt that!"
The smile on his face was sheer joy, and as he climbed over me, he wrapped his arms around my neck and told me that he fell in love with me all over again in this very instant. He pulled back, kissed me, and followed it up with, "and I'm sure glad that's inside you and not me!" THERE'S the man I love!! Haha!
I was never so happy to have my little peanut moving around so wildly a week or so ago that he woke me up, and when I realized the consistent rhythm of his movement (similar to what I had felt the night before), I realized that our boy may not be the next best drummer, instead he had the cutest hiccups this Momma has ever experienced!!
My own hiccups are quite loud and violent (I annoy myself!) but my little guy's are... adorable. :)
Next on the cute list was my dear husband when he felt his son move inside my belly for the first time. I've been trying to have him feel it for weeks, but every time he comes over and puts his hand on my belly, the kid gets stage fright. But yesterday, I woke up to my little acrobat doing quite the routine! So, I quietly reached over, and without a word, put John's hand on my belly. We had been lying in bed awake for awhile but hadn't spoken yet, so when I made this motion, he gave me the sweetest look of anticipation. Suddenly, our baby kicked, John gasped and said aloud, "Well I felt that!"
The smile on his face was sheer joy, and as he climbed over me, he wrapped his arms around my neck and told me that he fell in love with me all over again in this very instant. He pulled back, kissed me, and followed it up with, "and I'm sure glad that's inside you and not me!" THERE'S the man I love!! Haha!
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