So confused (question about gestational diabetes)

[Cookiebaker]

To answer a couple of your questions: It doesn't matter which vein the blood comes from (big or little), it will not make a difference on the results of the test. Also, any kind of cream on your skin will not make a difference either....it is highly unlikely that the blood sample would have been tainted because the needle is drawing from inside the vein.

It could be that you have borderline GD....you cannot compare eating a normal meal to drinking the glucose drink in monitoring your blood sugar levels, just because there is no way you eat that kind of sugar on a normal basis (even if it was all ice cream )

I was a borderline GD when I was pregnant with Lydia, but was able to control it with my diet...no extra sugar, lots of lean proteins.

On another note, I can't believe you are in the third tri already! It probably hasn't for you, but wow time has flown so fast!!!

[finn's mom]

Definitely find out about the three hour test. I controlled my gestational diabetes with diet, and Clara was not born too big (apparently babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can be on the large side) and she never showed any signs of jaundice (another result of babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes). I wasn't testing my levels at home prior to getting the one and three hour tests, so I can't really help you out there. Good luck, though, with whatever happens! It's going by so quickly! Your baby will be here before you know it!

[popcornbird]

I finally got to talk to the doctor today. I did ask her about the 3 hour test, and she said they only do that if the sugar levels are between 140 and 175. Mine was 190, so they won't be doing another test. They want me to meet with their nutritionist for some guidelines.

I did tell her my numbers are ALWAYS in the normal range when I check at home. She said gestational diabetes is different from regular diabetes, and the numbers depend more on the current hormone levels, and the baby's position (him pressing on certain organs can trigger it), than my actual body's function. She also mentioned that I'm probably eating in the proper controlled way, which is maintaining my blood sugar at the normal levels, and if it weren't for the glucose drink, it may never have gone that high. That IS true...I was on weight watchers before pregnancy and am just used to eating healthy now, and in smaller quantities, so that may have something to do with my sugar levels being normal.

I guess that explains why I felt a sudden dizziness/loss of proper eyesight for a brief time 2 weeks ago, one day when I didn't eat well at all. I think my sugar levels may have dropped without me realizing it. It seems to be on the lower side most of the time, so it could have easily gone down if I have GD and didn't eat much that day.

Cookiebaker, I too, cannot believe I'm already in the third trimester. People always say pregnancy seems to go by slowly, but my experience has been different. It seems to be flying by faster than I could've imagined! It feels so real now that I feel the baby's movements a LOT. I love feeling him move, and I love trying to grab his little feet through my skin because it makes him kick back. My hubby loves putting his hand on my belly and feeling his kicks and squirms too, and I love that I can finally share that experience with him. He felt the baby move a lot later than I did. Its amazing how strongly you begin to love your baby once you start feeling him inside. We're really excited. Just 12 weeks left to go.

[Karen]

Wow, it does seem like time has flown for you, Popcornbird! Just 12 weeks to go, how exciting! And do you have your husband or someone prepared to post here when the baby is born? Have you told baby just how many surrogate aunts and uncles he's gonna have? After all, he's not gonna just be a loved baby, he's a loved Pet Talk baby!

[popcornbird]

I've been checking my blood sugar 4 times a day, everyday. Its still normal. Strange that it went so high the day they tested. I wonder if having a jamba juice the night before had something to do with it. Oh well. As long as its under control, I'm happy.

I haven't asked anyone to update pt when the baby's born. I 'think' my hospital has internet access, and I have an iPod touch, so I will most likely just post myself. Or...I might wait to get home before posting. We will see. You might have to be patient, as my mind might be too occupied with the baby to even remember I had to post.