Gestational Diabetes

Yesterday, I had my first glucose test to see if I had or was at risk for gestational diabetes.  I was honestly dreading the test, for several reasons.  First of all, who wants gestational diabetes?  Nobody.  So of course, I was terrified I'd fail.  Second, I wasn't looking forward to a morning without coffee or breakfast.  Expecting a 6 month pregnant woman to go all morning with nothing to eat or drink is like asking her to climb Mt. Washington.  Naked.  Nobody wants that either.

So my test was scheduled for 8:30 am.  It involved fasting all morning.  When I arrived at the lab, they took 2 vials of blood right away.  Then I had to drink a sugary drink that tasted like orange HI-C.  It really wasn't that bad even though everyone told me it was terrible.  I guess I have a sweet tooth.  So I chugged the drink and sat in the waiting room for an hour.  Then they drew my blood again, and sent it all off to the lab.  The phlebotomist was great, and she let me know that the results should be ready any time after 3:00 pm.  Immediately after the test, I had a doctor's appointment.  So I went across the hall, peed in the cup as usual (that's a whole different story) and sat and waited.  And waited, and waited and waited.  I started to not feel good - I got really hot and dizzy.  I tried having some water but it didn't help.  Afraid I'd pass out in my chair and cause a scene, I told the secretary I wasn't feeling well.  They immediately took me in the back and gave me some more water and a few crackers.  I started feeling much better right away.  I guess my body didn't enjoy trying to metabolize all that sugar on an empty stomach.  The lab really should offer food to people who have had to fast for a test .... Anyway, I really was fine after the crackers. 

My doctor's appointment was pretty uneventful.  Although, I did find out that my doctor is pregnant too!  She's due in November so hopefully she's still up to delivering babies in August when she's just about where I am right now.  She measured my belly, and listened to Sea Monkey's heartbeat and said everything was on track.  Good to know things are going well.  One more appointment in 4 weeks and then I'll be in the office every 2 weeks!  YIKES!  We're getting close! 

Back to the diabetes thing ... I went back to work and just didn't feel like myself all day.  Since the boss was offsite at a meeting, I slipped out around 2:45 and headed home.  Of course at exactly 3:00 I wanted to call the doctor to get my results, but I was patient and waited until 3:10.  You have no idea how agonizing those 10 minutes were.  Well, the results were in according to the secretary and she said she'd have me talk to a nurse.  Great. That probably means the results are bad and I need more information.  Not exactly what I was hoping for.  The nurse got on the phone and tells me, "The results were normal."  I responded, "I passed?"  "Yes, you passed."  "YAAAAAAY!"  Yes, I really said "yaaaaay!" on the phone.  She laughed and so did I.  I thanked her and was so happy to hear I didn't have gestational diabetes.  Really, it was a huge relief.  Because I like carbs. And sugar.  But it also means that Sea Monkey is healthy too.  And probably won't be 22 lbs like I keep dreaming he will be.  One more hurdle down .... not sure how many are left since this is all uncharted territory for me.

PHEW! 

(I'm tecnically 26 weeks pregnant, but *in* my 27th week of pregnancy.  This is what Sea Monkey might look like)

So what else is going on?  Well, Sea Monkey is getting busier and busier.  I feel him kicking a lot and now I can feel when he's rolling and flipping around too.  It's really neat but feels strange at the same time.  Sea Monkey is now being measured from head to toe (previously it was head to rump) and he should be about 15" long!  He's gaining weight and should weigh in around 2 lbs now.  He can hear and recognize our voices now.  And yes, sometimes I talk to him when he kicks me really hard I tell him to be nice to mommy.  I've read that if you press your ear to my belly you might be able to hear his heartbeat.  Obviously I can't do this, but I'll have to see if Mike's willing to try it out and let you know if he can hear it.   

I'm doing well - Feeling like a sausage, but I suppose that's to be expected.  My weight is creeping up but I'm told "it's all baby" and "you look so cute!" by co-workers and friends.  I'm sure they're just being nice, but it's better than hearing I look fat and disgusting - because that's how I feel.  I'm tired (newsflash, right?) and starting to get more swollen.  I couldn't take my wedding rings off now even if I wanted too.  Good thing they're not bothering me.  Oh, and my shoes still fit.   

Next week starts the 3rd trimester .... wow!  I can't believe we're almost there.  It's both exciting and terrifying at the same time.

In other news - I pass in my final paper for my Master's program tomorrow, and give a final presentation.  Then, GRADUATION!!!  I can't wait to be done with school.  I also only have 2 more "full time" weeks of work.  I am cutting down my hours to 4 days a week at work starting June 1st - but I also have a vacation day and a holiday the last 2 weeks of May, so my full time work ends soon!  My doctor had to fill out some Leave of Absence forms for me.  She said there's no medical reason I can't work full time so she's going to put down the reason for my reduced hours as "extreme discomfort due to pregnancy".  Works for me!  It will be nice to have an extra day off every week to get more things done around the house and to have some time to myself before Sea Monkey gets here.  Hopefully I can get things a little more clean and organized because I'm sure I won't have time after he arrives. 

Well that's it for now..... according to Mike, 102 days until Sea Monkey's anticipated date of arrival (August 4th in case you forgot.  But I'm hoping he comes a little early).