I've Got The GD

The week of Christmas I managed to squeeze in my 3 hour glucose test (oh so much fun). Then last Tuesday was my appointment at 20 weeks. First news, it looks like my quad screen results got lost in space somewhere which I was a little peeved about, so they were going to have to redraw my blood again for that. As if I didn't get poked enough the week before. Oh, and the weight gain was only about 4lbs, so that wasn't too bad, especially with the holidays that I was eating carefree.

Next, I asked if they got my 3hr glucose results yet. By the look on the midwife's face, I knew that they did, and I could tell that the numbers weren't great. And there were not. The two middle numbers were too high for their liking. So I've got the Gestational Diabetes diagnosis.

I was handed a Rx for getting a glucose monitor and all that jazz. Right now I get to poke myself 6 times a day, before I eat a meal, and 2 hours after. Yay! I am also to really seriously follow the GD diet plan she gave me before closely and see how my sugars respond. I am to come back in 3 weeks and have to see the doctor instead of the midwives, who will then decide if I go on medication or insulin.

Now, judging by my numbers I am getting right now while strictly following the diet, I'm not sure if I will be able to avoid medication or insulin. But it is hard to tell. I was just given the glucose meter and strips and told to test and follow the general diet they gave me. I wasn't told of what ranges my blood sugar readings should be in. And from what I am reading and researching about GD around the net, usually GD patients are referred to a dietitian to help tailor an eating plan for their specific needs. So I feel like I'm flying a little blind here.

Then the news that I would have to next see the doctor, I was a bit disappointed in. I'm not sure if it means that my care will all be in done by the doctor instead of the midwives now since I moved up to a slightly higher risk category. I'm sure we'll see as my visits go on. But I really like the midwife I had been seeing, and, you know, I'm a little biased about them (because of my mom).

I do know that now this means business. This isn't only about my health, but that of my baby's health too. It kind-of sucks, and the very regimented eating and poking schedule is very hard for me. But I have to do it to avoid having a 12lb unhealthy baby.

21 weeks, 0 days

Appointment the Other Day

I've been slacking a bit on the latest from my last appointment on Tuesday. All seemed pretty uneventful, and I had to wait for what seemed like forever before I could see the midwife after I did the customary pee in a cup, weight and blood pressure check.

Soon after my midwife came into the room, she immediately wanted to check my blood pressure again. I guess the first reading was pretty high and she was concerned. She took it again and it had gone down a little bit which was better. But I was a little alarmed. She asked if I had been having headaches, and as a matter of fact, all last weekend I was suffering from terrible ones but I chalked it up to sinus headaches. She said that she is going to want me to come in a little more often to check my blood pressure to see if this will be a real concern. So I get to go back again next week to do my glucose test (oh joy!), get my quad screen, and of course check the blood pressure. She said if it still shows as being high, then I might have to be treated with medication. Great.

But I then got a quick ultrasound and saw the sweet baby again. It has grown so much bigger and the heart was beating away. That relieved me a bit. Everything else was ok, no weight gain still, seem to be eating healthy (sort-of).

I'm trying not to worry about the blood pressure thing too much. I'm only 14 weeks. I've read about preeclampsia, and all the fun that goes along with it. At this point I know that it's not that, it's too early. Could just be some minor hypertension brought on by anything. Could have been just a fluke. Could have been anxiety about the appointment (I was a little worried about seeing if the baby and the heartbeat were still there... it was). Could have been the quantity of salt I've been eating, or my lack of water drinking. So I'm praying that all will be well next week. Please pray that it is.

14 Weeks 3 Days

Update from Appointment Yesterday

Had my first "official" appointment at the doctor's office with someone other than a nurse. I got to meet one of the midwives there, and she is fabulous! My doctor is nice and everything, but I really like her and hope that I get to see her a majority of my visits. I prefer a midwife to a doctor anyways. I'm a little biased about them, being that my mother happens to be a midwife too.

So on to the appointment... No weight gain (that's good since I pigged out in Mexico), results from blood taken last time were all good and normal, and blood pressure good. Basically I am "normal" all the way around. Then I was pleasantly surprised that I got to take a quick peek at the baby again. Yep, it's still there. And it was moving around and heart was beating and everything. Always reassuring.

Of course I asked if I would be tested for Gestational Diabetes early since my history and risk is a little high. So it looks like about the next appointment, they will test me. She also recommended and gave me the diabetic diet to get started on now. Boo. Not totally excited about having to "diet" while pregnant, but I understand. I want to be able to "pass" the GD test or at least keep my sugars in control so they don't have to medicate me and I don't have a giant 10lb baby. We want to keep it "Small and slippery" as one of my mom's midwife colleagues says. I am in agreement.

10 weeks, 2 days