This morning, I’ll be MIA. Instead of blogging away, playing with my little guy (who has developed an obsession for walking up and down the street holding his ball) and enjoying a nice hearty breakfast, I’ll be trapped in a lab taking a two-hour glucose test.
Why a two-hour glucose test? Well, it’s simple. I FAILED the first one.
To those in the know, at 26 weeks, all pregnoids are routinely screened for gestational diabetes. Since I had passed with flying colours while pregnant with Ryder, and have never bothered to monitor my sugar intake, I felt pretty confident I’d sneak by once again when I took the initial test two weeks ago. (The first glucose tolerance test consists of drinking an Orange Crush knock-off and then sitting quietly for 1 hour. When 60 minutes has elapsed, your blood is drawn and the quantity of sugar in your blood is measured.)
The upper limit for blood glucose after this test is 7.8 mmol/L.
My score? 8.0. You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!
So for a mere 0.2 of a mmol (whatever that is) I now have to repeat the test, only:
a) I have to fast for 12 hours before the beginning the test – at this very moment, my tummy is rumbling and I am in a VERY poor mood
c) During the test, I can’t leave the lab… yup, it’s just sitting and waiting the whole time
Do you know how long two hours will feel when you’re stuck in a clinical setting? I am sooo not looking forward to this test. Thankfully, I enlisted my mom to come sit with me and provide companionship (Mike came with me to the first test, but was promptly replaced after I found that 60 minutes of chatting alone with my husband actually scraped at my pregnant nerves).
Of course, if it comes back that I’m in the clear, it’ll be worth it. When my OB first told me that my sugar levels were slightly elevated, I went on a massive Googling session to learn all about gestational diabetes. And from what I can see, my single risk factor is that I have a family history of diabetes – my paternal grandmother was a diabetic and my father is routinely screened with mid-to-high levels. So this may just be hormones marrying with genetics – a doomed relationship!
The good news? Gestational diabetes is managed well through diet (bye bye mango smoothies) and exercise (as if keeping up with a psycho toddler isn’t enough). Surprisingly, seven months into my pregnancy, my weight gain to date has been only 15 pounds, so my OB can’t accuse me of eating my body weight as I did with Ryder :)
Okay, it’s 8:00am, and I am officially off to the clinic! Wish me luck! xoxo
Good luck! I hope the test was just a mishap and that you don't have it.
Good luck Char! You'll pass with flying colors I just know it! xoxo
Take care of yourself. This is very important.Take care, V
I'm sure you are fine – I've heard of several people how have had similar experiences, taken the test a second time and been fine. I hate that freakin' orange soda crap. I'll never forget my test. I had just come from the gym and then I had to drink this stupid, calorie-ridden, nasty orange pop crap! YUCK! Go to SDM and buy every trashy mag they have there. That'll keep ya busy for a few hours! Jen xo
Good luck lena! Don't worry – you will pass this time:) Sending you positive vibes! xxoo
I went through what you did exactly. .2 above the limit and then the two hour test. I was so hungry and week after that I passed out in the car on the way to eat something (stupid husband didn't plan ahead when I said I would need to eat after the test and waited for me to get home before choosing where to go) I had the GD and managed to keep it in check with diet and exercise. I had weekly sessions with a nutritionist and tested my blood three times daily. I also had to record what I was eating and how much for those nutritionist meetings. I walked (or rather waddled) daily. I had the dubious distinction of having both GD and pre-clampsia so I was told to get out and exercise but put my feet up as much as possible so I went to the pool to take the weight off, stay cool and get some exercise. If nothing else the whole GD experience left me with better eating habits and a better understanding about where sugars come from. Good luck
Yuck! Don't miss those days! :-( I'm sorry you have to do it again, and with .2 over you probably had something sugary right before your first test, that put you just over…that's what haappened to me too! The second test was BRUTAL, I'm not sure what was worst – drinking that God awful stuff or trying to stay awake for hours after while sitting there (coming down from the sugar high)…I'll keep you in my thoughts Lena…hopefully the worst is behind you! :-D
Ooooo, good luck! I passed the first one then i had to go in for a second test because my pee test for sugar levels at the dr office was elevated. I had forgotten about the dr appt and downed ALOT of chocolate milk that morning. She sent me just to me on the safe side. i took my laptop and did some work and spider solitare lol!
I'm back ladies!!!Well, actually I was back about three hours ago, but have been busy stuffing my face ever since. Now THAT was an ordeal – I had no idea they would be drawing blood three times! By the end of it I almost inhaled a granola bar while the tech was taking my blood.THANK YOU so much for the support! Glad to see that there are comrades in arms – and I'll definitely keep you gals updated!