Yesterday I had a double-whammy of a day with my glucose tolerance test and my regular obstetric appointment. Dr. Risky left all the decisions regarding the gestational diabetes test up to me. I could have skipped it and had her diagnose me with GD, or take the one-hour test, or the three-hour test. I decided to take the one-hour test just on the off-chance that I might pass it. I figured I’d lost so much weight this time, and every pregnancy is different…I could pass the test, maybe?
Nope. I failed it BIG. I am forgoing the three-hour test, which Dr. Risky is fine with. Based on my experience yesterday, there’s no way I would be able to survive a three-hour test. I think I was only able to keep it all down yesterday because I didn’t want to have to take the test again (if you barf you have to start over on another day), and also because I was pretty certain I’d catch something disgusting if I used the bathroom in the lab. Blech.
I was more ravenous after the test than I’ve been during this entire pregnancy. I had bites of every single simple carb and cookie the hospital cafeteria offered…which in retrospect, probably had something to do with how completely crappy I felt all day. Hyperemesis + Glucola + crap food = bad idea. But at least I got that last oatmeal raisin cookie in!
I make a lot of jokes about gestational diabetes (and my man Wilford Brimley), but the truth is I have mad respect for anyone who deals with diabetes on the regular. It’s going to be more challenging for me this time around on top of the hyperemesis, but hopefully it will go away after the pregnancy and I can go back to making bad food decisions. This pregnancy has revolved around food and eating/not eating so much that it will be nice to not think about food so intensely, but on the flip side it’s made me appreciate even more that this is most likely a temporary thing. And if it isn’t temporary, it will suck but eh. Worse things have happened.
But I will still make jokes! Otherwise the diabetes/hyperemesis/clotting disorder/preterm labor have won! Or something…sigh.
In other news, Dr. Risky had jury duty. If she gets picked for a jury like 87 high-risk pregnant women are gonna storm the courthouse. So instead, I saw the nurse practitioner for my exam. Everything looked good/stable, although my fundal height was measuring a bit big. It could be normal (Annabel measured ahead as well), but knowing Dr. Risky she’ll probably schedule an ultrasound in the next month. I’m not complaining, I love seeing my little guy.
I can’t handle how much she already loves him.
Johanna says:
I had HG + GD as well – which sucked pretty hard as basically the only things I could keep down were frozen coke and lemonade. I also had Cholestasis *eyeroll* Isn’t pregnancy just a joy? Lucky the end result is so amazing.
Hang in there!
Hayley says:
Love the new blog look!
I also had GD with my 2nd baby, I managed 2 weeks on diet controlled & spent the rest if the time on metformin. I have my annual test next week boo! It’s not fun, but the little guy will be worth it
Jenn says:
OOHH Man!!! I HATED the GD tests so badly – too be honest, because it’s so difficult to get blood out of me, we didn’t even test me for my 3rd baby (we were both fine btw – No GD).
My kids LOVED their little brother so much we had to put 2 rules in place….
#1 – “Give the Face some SPACE” – Poor little guy was going crossed eyed b/c they would go up so close to his little face and of course, he would get smoothered with beautiful, germy kisses!!! Ha ha
#2 – “You Wake Him…..YOU Take Him” (not really but they didn’t really know that!!! ha ha). They loved him and at times would either want to wake him so they could “play” with him or they would intentionally be so loud so they would wake him so they could hold him. Once he got a little older and wasn’t so new they didn’t want to take him b/c there was more important things to do like torture each other, bake with Nana or play with all of their toys!
There is nothing like watching your children bond. I think that is one of the things I am most excited for You and Mike to witness. It is so special – especially when they become best friends – Sooo Protective over each other and even though they fight, they are each others BIGGEST FANS.
There is just so much for you all to look forward too!!! I can`t wait!!! xoxo
Lindsay says:
As a type 1 diabetic, I appreciate you pointing out how hard it is to deal with diabetes every day. There is no way that GD is easy but there is always that light at the end of the tunnel.
All my best! xo L
Glenda says:
My mother had GD with my youngest sister and it never went away. My older sister had it too, but it went away. It definitely is very hard. Best to you and Mr. Acrobat during the next few months.
Kelly says:
So sorry for your test failure. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go through the three hour testing, the one hour one is bad enough.
Love the new blog design.
Liz says:
I failed my one-hour but passed (barely) my 3 hour test for GD. My mistake was not educating myself on the negative effects so when I passed, I completely ignored the warnings against carbs/sugar. And guess what? When my not-so-little guy was born at 9lbs 7oz, he had to be in the NICU for 4 days until his insulin levels regulated again. I felt so bad, like it was all my fault (and it kind of was). Next time, I’m just going to declare myself GD and REALLY watch my diet.
Elissa says:
I had the beedees with my second. Diagnosed super early.I was a fanatic about my food and food journal. I was able to stay within my levels without meds and only gained 7 pounds my entire pregnancy. Good Luck Heather!
Laura says:
How many weeks along are you now?? So glad the pre-term labour isn’t winning in any big way!
Heather says:
I will be 28 weeks tomorrow!
Laura says:
That’s awesome!
Lanie says:
28 weeks is fantastic! And, maybe with any luck you will not have to drink glucola ever again (or at least no time in the near future). Annie is adorable as always. Take care.
Erica says:
I found your blog by chance today through Babble and read through much of your posts from the last 6 months, with my iPad screen on its dimmest setting, as I nurse my HG and a massive migraine. I am 26 weeks (5th pregnancy, 3rd baby) with my second little boy, who we have nicknamed Little Ninja until his arrival. I have my gestational diabetes rest next week and am not looking forward to it at all, especially since my HG has been beyond bothersome lately. So glad I found your blog because it has helped me maintain the sanity I had thought I lost this morning. Thanks!!
Allison Zapata says:
Love you. xo
Becca Masters says:
I hated my GD test. I only did the 1 hour test, and getting the blood was a disaster (it always is)
Thankfully it was negative, but mad props to the ladies who get GD and have to manage it. I’d have failed on so many occasions.
by far the worst test during pregnancy is for Obstetric Cholestasis. I’ve had to have blood taken 3 times to check for that. the last time they blew a vein. ugh.
buy yay for 28 weeks! I can’t wait until he is here!
Christina says:
She’s so sweet and your family is so wonderful. The Acrobat is a lucky, lucky boy.
Marin D says:
I felt like GD was the only thing I didn’t have when I was pregnant! Sorry you have to deal with that!!!
Auntie_M says:
Yay on reaching 28 weeks!!!!!! But bummer on the GD!!!! You are being hit every which way with this pregnancy–but if the Acrobat stays put until you & your doctor decide to make him come out, all is forgiven, right?
I love the pictures of you, Annie, and the Acrobat…so precious. She is going to be such a fabulous big sister!!! And you look fabulous. How do you do it?!?!
TracyKM says:
Sigh. Had you been doing regular bg checks between pregnancies? Since you eat poorly (by your own admission, and definately high carb as seen by the recipes you post LOL), you might have already had type 2.
You CAN still eat an oatmeal raisin cookie, if made right. Really! A low carb diet is awesome. Now, some people are purists and think that you shouldn’t try to replicate your favourite treats and just stick with basics, but I’m more leanient. Why not eat a low carb oatmeal cookie if it doesn’t affect your sugars? If it makes other parts of life easier for you, then go ahead. Once again, I’ll recommend my favourite site http://www.alldayIdreamaboutfood.com . A healthy, active woman with GD that didn’t resolve after birth and she was probably type 2 before getting pregnant, despite being a thin, long distance runner. Even if you’re thin, a high carb diet will catch up with you at some point
Heather says:
Yes, I do regular blood sugar checks with my doctor and with my monitor. My BGLs are always perfect when I’m not pregnant. My last A1c was in June and it was 4.2%.
Those recipes are not how we eat regularly, they are just recipes of my grandmother’s that I shared. Mike, Annie, and I all eat well-balanced meals, I just indulge treats more often than I should when I’m not pregnant. When I AM pregnant, I just have to eat whatever I can keep down.
Kyley Leger says:
I failed my one-hour test during my last pregnancy. That three-hour test was one of the worst experiences of my life! Granted it was six months ago, but all those feelings are so fresh in my mind. That sugar rush and crash while trying with everything you have to keep it in. Oh, boy! Good luck with your diet change! I had a modified change and it was right when I wanted to be lazy and just eat what I wanted.
Kerri. says:
We met a few years ago at the J&J salon, and since then, I’ve been checking out your blog ever few weeks. Congrats on your pregnancy! As a type 1 diabetic (since I was 7 yrs old) and the mother of a now-three year old, I’m very familiar with how diabetes can impact a pregnancy. If there’s anything at all that you need, please let me know.
Also, if you want to check out some resources on dealing with diabetes and pregnancy (these are mainly focused on type 1 diabetes, but many of the themes apply to gestational diabetes), these links might help:
http://sixuntilme.com/blog2/diabetes_and_pregnancy/ – my personal diabetic pregnancy
http://jdrf.org/blog/2013/t1d-pregnancy-planning/ – the JDRF recently released a pregnancy toolkit
(And, by the by, you look wonderful. Enjoy every moment.)
Suzie from Iowa says:
I haven’t been able to follow your blog for a couple of months and I was so excited when I did today! You look wonderful and I am estatic for you guys that you are having a little man! Annie has gotten so big and she does look completely in love with the baby! Congrats and I hope that things continue to go well!
T'Ann Love says:
I feel for you! I had gestational diabetes for three of my four pregnancies…and all three of those babies were about nine pounds. With BIG heads like their daddy’s family. But they were healthy! Just keep on doing what you’re doing. It isn’t always easy but at least it is short term. As much as I disliked it, I wish I could go back to that being the worst, my 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes recently and I sometimes find myself longing for the short term instead. Keep picturing your beautiful, healthy, boy to get you through.
God Bless