January 8, 2010

28 Weeks and Glucose Hell

Before my 1-hour glucose screening Dr. C said I would have nothing to worry about.

She was wrong. So I get to sit through the 3-hour screening... Ugh!

It all started on Wednesday, I had my 28 week appointment and I went into it thinking it'd just be a normal appointment plus the glucose test. Dr. C let me know that I could eat a really light, sugar-free breakfast beforehand and that I'd have to be there for at least an hour. I didn't eat anything.

So I go in and let the receptionist know that I'd be doing the glucose screening so that they can have me drink the sugar solution. They take me back and give me 5 minutes to get the glucose goo down... someone told me it tastes like orange tang - whoever said that can be shot cause it takes nothing like tang and more like sugar water with a splash of orange soda. It was warm too.

The rest of my appointment goes well. Although I feel like I've gained 25 lbs, I've only gained a total of 13 lbs - go me! I can never remember what my blood pressure measures at but the nurse told me it was good. Pee in a cup - I never know why I do this but they always tell me they need to "dip my pee." Ok - have fun with that. :) Then I get to meet with Dr. C and we listen to Baby GB's heartbeat - today it was at 150 which is a little higher than normal; she says he's probably on a sugar high from the solution. She measures my belly - 28 cm - right on track! Then I get to sit and wait - 20 more minutes so that it's been a total of 1 hour since I first drank the sugar solution. Another nurse comes in to take 4 vials of blood; asks me to pee in a cup again; and I'm on my way. Not so bad! I thought I'd pass with flying colors.

Then tonight I got the call...

First of all, my iron tested low. So I have to add 325mg of iron and take it at a different time than my PNV since together they "could" make me constipated. Ah the joys...

Then the nurse tells me that my blood glucose measured right at 140 which she says doesn't fail the test but it's the cut off so they are sending me for the 3-hour test. Fabulous. She tells me that for 3 days prior to my next test I need to eat my regular diet but add 300 grams of carbs. Then the day of my test I need to fast for at least 8 hours.

I was doing some research and here's what my morning will look like for the 3-hour test:
"When you arrive for the test, the technician will take a blood sample to measure your "fasting blood glucose level" and then ask you to drink either a more concentrated dose or a larger volume of the glucose solution. Then brace yourself for three more arm pricks, as your blood is tested every hour for the next three hours.

If one of the readings is abnormal, you may have to take another test later in your pregnancy. Or your practitioner may ask you to make some changes in your diet and exercise routine. If two or more of your readings are abnormal, you'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes and you'll need to talk to your practitioner about a treatment plan. This chart shows the levels that the American Diabetes Association considers abnormal at each interval of the test:"

IntervalAbnormal reading
Fasting95 mg/dl or higher
One hour180 mg/dl or higher
Two hours155 mg/dl or higher
Three hours140 mg/dl or higher
Source

Lets cross our fingers for some normal readings!!!


2 comments:

Courtney said...

So sorry you have to go through this! Does not sound pleasant at all. Oh, and they test your pee for protein and glucose levels, I believe. The protein is so they can catch signs of pre-e.

Worry Bud said...

GL on the 3 hour GB...that sounds like h3ll!

 

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