3 hour glucose testing

[briashayy]

On the mandatory 1 hour test, I had received a score of 149. Naturally, they scheduled me in for a 3 hour glucose test (during which, the lady took my blood FOUR times from the SAME spot in the SAME arm!! Ugh!!!)

I'm looking online now and I can see listed under "3 hour glucose test, fasting" that it's listed at a 140. Doing a bit of curiosity googling, I'm noticing that both are pretty high!
I can't say (sadly) that I'm surprised, though. I recently just found out that my mothers birth mom (her and my aunt are twins, and adopted;never really knew their birth mom) was diagnosed with it as well, along with my father and his side of the family having diabetes. It's been one of those things to where you absolutely dread hearing it, but you expect to as well unfortunately.

Now, I'm sitting here wondering what happens now? I have a doctors appt this Wednesday, and on Tuesday I will officially be 34 weeks. I've heard that sometimes they will induce, sometimes they won't. On that, I'm wondering how soon they would? While I'm excited for him to be here, I know I'm going to miss being pregnant and I'd love to keep him in as long as possible!! I've also heard they will monitor and talk to you about your nutrition and exercise habits.

Have any of you ladies had this? If so, what happened and has it affected your life afterwards? How about the baby? So many questions!!

 

[rayraykay]

Hi there-

Gestational diabetes is one of those things that is sooo different for everyone. So I can tell you what it meant for me and my experience but I can't promise your experience will be the same.

I was borderline diagnosed at 29 weeks. I definitely had it, but my doctor and dietician were confident I would be able to control it thru diet and exercise. If you do have it, they will send you to a dietician who will go over a meal plan with you. Exercise definitely helps and is recommended as a way to control blood sugar levels. I just used my elliptical machine at home and walked around the neighborhood (and the mall when it was crappy weather.) The meal plan is pretty basic- it's just about pairing your carbs with proteins so your body can break them down easier. It's not a low carb diet. You and your baby need carbs it's just about spreading them out throughout the day and pairing them with proteins. I was able to control my GD thru diet and exercise only- never having a number out of range. However, I have no family history or anything so I don't know what that will mean.

I can assure you however, that you and your baby will be just fine! My daughter was born 12/17 with no blood sugar issues. She came naturally, no induction. 8 lbs 3 oz, 21 inches. I had a growth scan at 36 weeks that indicated she was of normal size so no induction was needed from my OB's point of view. All OBs are different, however. Some will universally induce their GD patients at 39 weeks (which I think is garbage if it seems a baby is doing just fine...) some will only induce if the baby seems to be getting too big or if the mom is on meds to help control her GD. However your baby comes, it's okay. GD IS NOT YOUR FAULT! Just be clear with your OB about your desires to keep your baby cookin as long as possible and hopefully she or he will honor those desires if your GD cooperates. You will do great mama. Good luck!

 

[rayraykay]

Oh & I forgot to say.. my GD was gone the second my placenta was delivered! I haven't had my PP glucose test yet but I have spot checked my numbers and they are all normal again.

xoxo

 

[briashayy]

Thank you so much!! I'm glad to hear it went away for you, and I'm hoping it does the same for me. And also that you still came naturally instead of having to be induced.

As for the meal plan, I haven't really paid much attention (sadly) to if my eating habits are the same as before being pregnant, or if they are worse due to cravings. I don't crave sweets too often, though I'm not sure if that's the only thing that could play a role in it.

This morning the nurses office called me about it and told me that I was diagnosed with it, though :/ Officially. They had me go to the pharmacy and pick up some medicine that I have to take twice a day. I'm only 34 weeks, so my 36 week ultrasound is still two weeks away, but I hope that he measures up ok and is able to stay and cook a little longer!

I have no idea how my doctor will be about inducing honestly, though. He's mentioned it in the beginning about how they can induce up to two weeks early. And the past two check ups we have gone to, he has taken the time (without us asking) to say "if something happened and the baby were to be born now..." and explain how they could take good care of it. I'm not sure if that's just a typical doctor being cocky, or if he was trying to be reassuring, but it kinda made me wonder!!

 

[lovebabyhopes]

I just found out this morning that I have it as well. My numbers were too high on my 3 hour test. My doctor believes that I can control it with diet & exersise, so she is not putting me on meds at this time. But, I'll have to do the blood check 6x a day and follow a meal/ exercise plan.

 

[lovebabyhopes]

As for the meal plan, I haven't really paid much attention (sadly) to if my eating habits are the same as before being pregnant, or if they are worse due to cravings. I don't crave sweets too often, though I'm not sure if that's the only thing that could play a role in it.

My doc said it isn't about anything we did, it's not about what we ate. It's just that pregnancy hormones can affect some women's ability to process sugar. Hope that helps!