Glucose Test #2 and More...

So today was the day, the day that I went in for my glucose tolerance test since I failed the glucose screening test. With this test I had to fast for 12 to 14 hours and then go in to a lab, drink the twice as sugary drink and get tested every hour. Needless to say I was dreading it, but also very ready to get it done and over with.

Per the usual, I had my trusty side-kick Lorie, who graciously gave up her entire morning for this and also picked me up (THANK YOU!!!). Now, in my head I originally thought that I would have three blood draws and that was that...wrong! In the end I was jabbed, not three times, not four times, but five times. FIVE!?! The first try either the needle was a dud or my vein was unhappy, the gal kept moving the needle in and out trying to draw blood and it actually started to really sting until I said ouch and she stopped. I would like to add that it was like nails on a chalkboard and still makes me cringe. So she moved to the other arm and it was over in a jiffy.  This was the base-line draw (if you are over 99 mg/dl then you automatically fail and just have to go back to your doctor to talk about how to handle your gestational diabetes. Mine was at 80 mg/dl, so in the average range...which leads to me to wonder the statistics of women who fail the test after passing the base draw. After they get the results, the nice lady brought a big cup of the lemon-lime 100 gram of glucose drink for me to chug (which I couldn't do, but drank as fast as I could). In the end the results are as follows: first hour 161 mg/dl (which is considered normal), second hour 162 mg/dl (which was considered high and flagged), but the third and final hour was 123 mg/dl (the goal is to be 140 or lower). Meaning, I passed and I do not have gestational diabetes!!! Overall, I have the failed (and very bruised) attempt in the left arm, three on my right and one on my right hand making me feel like a human pin-cushion.

However, while visiting with Lorie, it dawned on me....most of the time they have women visit a nutritionist to help control their gestational diabetes; but wouldn't it be a smart idea to visit with a nutritionist as one of your first appointments while pregnant? Little late now, but something to still consider and something I want to talk about with my doctor on Monday (next visit).

Lately I have noticed that when I lay down to sleep my legs keep wanting to move and I spend quite some time flexing and shaking them before I go to sleep. I am not sure if this is restless leg syndrome, or if I am just very ready for the ground to thaw so I can go on evening walks again. Also, my body is continuing to prepare me for the future, I am up every 90 minutes or so. Plus, as my belly grows it itches and even burns if I don't have enough moisturizer on it. In addition to all of that, Addie's sleep patterns are continuing to be present, she is very active in the evening, about 2:30 am and also 5:30 am.

Some cool developments include big movements from the Adaline, not just kicks, but I think she is actually rolling because of all the movement I see and feel (both inside and out). Diesel has been enjoying his cuddle time with the bump, which will have to end shortly, but is still really cute in the mean time. I have to also say that we are blessed with some amazing people who continue to blow me away with their kindness and generosity. Kristi and DeAnn put together a wonderful package filled with some awesome goodies for Addie, and I couldn't be more grateful! Thank you all!!! :)

Glucose Screening and Shots

So today I had my 28 week check-up, shots, and results from last week's glucose screening. Overall, the only positive thing from the appointment was the fact I heard my little girl's heartbeat. The rest? Well, it sucked.

First, the Rhogam shot....wowza that one hurt. It still stings actually (nearly four hours later), so not my favorite. While I was preparing for that shot they asked if I wanted to also get the Tdap vaccine; my response? Who wants to get a vaccine? Nobody, that's who! Anyways, I ended up deciding that I should just get it done and over with since I knew I was already getting one shot. Side note: anyone who plans on babysitting or spending a great deal of time with the baby should get the vaccine about six weeks or so before due date. Luckily, the doctor said it is simple, either by doctor or Walgreen's or Walmart pharmacies can do it as well.

Second, glucose test screening....this was last week and I was praying that I would pass with flying colors. Well, I didn't. I freaking failed by eight miserable points. According to the doctor it is not enough to panic, but enough that I have to do the three hour glucose tolerance test. That means drinking a second (and nastier) drink, and sitting in the lab for three hours while they draw my blood three times (once every hour). Apparently God has a plan to make me get over my fear of needles with this pregnancy.

Third, I found out that my hemoglobin count is on the low end of normal, by that I mean .2 away from being considered low. This is an easy fix, just some iron supplements and increase in leafy greens like spinach. This is more of an annoyance than anything else, however, it does explain why my wedding ring has been leaving marks (apparently having a reaction to gold is a sign of low iron).

Finally, the doctor explained the fetal kick count (which I've already started informally monitoring). I should count at least 10 movements in a span of two hours. I did try to explain that she is most active at night, to which his response was that most babies are most active (or at least noticeably) between 7 and 11 pm. What I was trying to explain is that she is active all night, like she is a night owl. Hopefully we break that habit before birth-hahaha. However, I will start the formal monitoring which should be interesting to track!

Glucose Test

So as I near my 28th week (YAY!), I knew the dreaded glucose test was no longer avoidable. After some scheduling conflicts, I was able to nail down a day and today happen to be that day. I did my research about what I should do to make sure I don't accidentally fail the test (hopefully it worked!) and have to repeat it with the three-hour test of doom.
Going into it, I had three options to choose from for the flavor, the orange, fruit punch, or lemon-lime. I chose lemon-lime in the hopes that it would taste better...but honestly I doubt any of them taste good. I did chill mine (which I also high recommend even though I have not experienced it warm, but my imagination suggests it would be terrible). I started fasting as instructed after a quick prep-time lunch of hummus and veggies, and before I knew it 2:45 rolled around. All day long (and really since last week), I have been discussing what my plan was with Lorie since she is my trusty sidekick who goes with me to these things and talk me through it...seriously, what would I do without her?
The drink itself is not the greatest, but not as awful as I had heard. It was very sugary, just as I suspected considering the ingredients. It tasted like flat 7-Up with a bag of sugar added, but as I started I thought to myself "Not too bad, you have drank worse in college! I mean, who didn't?!?" But I do have to confess that by the end of the bottle and 10 minutes later I was about to be sick. It also gave me some pretty horrible heartburn, so that wasn't any fun either.
By 3:15 Lorie and I hit the road and made our way to the lab for the tests. She kept me calm as possible and the tech was a pro who knew how to keep her cool as well. In the end, we will just have to wait and see what the results are! Fingers crossed!!! Next stop, the Rhogam shot.