Well, the glucose results are in, and I officially have gestational diabetes. After a week of emotional roller coasters, I can honestly tell you that in the big scheme of things, this isn’t that big of a deal, so I’ll try to keep this short. :o)
Basically it just means that my lovely pregnancy hormones are blocking my insulin from doing its job, and as a result, my blood sugar levels will be higher than they should be in the event that I take in too much sugar (hence, the horrible reaction I had to the oh-so-flavorful orange drink they had me force into my body). The good news is this will most likely disappear after I deliver Baby B (97 percent chance). The bad news is, well, no Reese’s PB cups for me. :o(
In sum, I have to watch my sugar intake and take my blood sugar twice a day using this handy-dandy little device. It’s not that hard, but I have to admit the food thing has me a little nervous. For those of you who know me, I’m not a big sugar person anyway and since I’ve been pregnant, I have been my usual anal self as far as what I eat. In fact, my blood sugar levels have been extremely good on my regular diet. BUT, I still have to pay attention, which means I am EXTREMELY aware of what I eat more than ever, which isn’t all that fun. Orange juice? Sure, but only a half cup (think of those little juice cups you get at Old Country Buffet). Fruit? Okay, but only half of a banana. And, well, brownies? Forget about it. Even pasta has to be regulated (and we know how I love pasta!!!!).
What does this all mean for Baby B.? Well, it could mean the baby will be larger than most, which has a small chance of making delivery complicated/dangerous, but they will take an ultrasound to make sure of the size a few weeks before we are due (yeah – more pictures!!:o) AND that only tends to happen when the mother has been heavy on the sugar or has to get insulin shots. Thankfully, I have not gone sugar-crazy, so odds are this baby will still be “normal” size, which I presume is 7-8 pounds. If not, they will induce me early, but I’m not convinced this will be an issue. Also, assuming my levels stay where they have been for the last week, there will be no need for insulin shots, which is usually only used in extreme cases. They will check the baby for hypoglycemia when he or she is born, but again, this is just a precaution and is only an issue when the baby is used to being fed large amounts of sugar.
Jeff and I have already seen the gestational diabetes specialist/nurse, but we still have to see a dietitian, who will hopefully give me some idea of what type of meals I can actually eat without worrying. We have another doctor’s appt. this week, but I’m not sure if this means we will continue on a weekly or revert back to the bi-weekly schedule (until 36 weeks). I guess we’ll wait and see.
So, it isn’t really a big deal. I have finally accepted the fact that this is not my fault, and that there is nothing I can do, except continue to be my usual anal self. I admit I am still working on not worrying that something else will go wrong. It’s just that it seems a little more real to me now that there are complications that may come up that are out of our control. I already knew this, but gestational diabetes was truly the LAST thing I expected to be an issue… BUT I know God is in control and has formed this baby into exactly who HE wants him or her to be. In fact, I already see God’s hand in this. Although many other “experienced” moms probably thought I was an over-worrying “first-timer” when it came to my pregnancy eating habits, I now know this was God’s way of protecting me and our baby. In the end, this really just means I can’t give in to some of the cravings I was saving for the final weeks of pregnancy. But isn’t that what motherhood is all about??? :o)
Other than that, life has been good. My friend Jennifer’s (a.k.a. “Chmelar’s”) wedding was great. She so looked beautiful, and I managed to not cry like a blubbering idiot, although there were still many happy tears shed. And the strapless pink bride’s maid dress ended up fitting just fine. It was a little tight after dinner, but I could still manage to dance, dance, dance. Thankfully, Jenny also encouraged us to buy flip-flops for the reception, so my feet and back were quite happy — although my legs were a little tired on Sunday :o).
Well, tomorrow we are officially 32 weeks (8 months pregnant!!!), so I’ll be taking photos and posting them. I’ll also post our dr. appt. update and our birthing class knowledge later this week, so stay tuned!
Love you all!!!