January 2020 Garnets

[Literati_Love]

Ashley - awww, I’m sorry you failed your glucose test and have to take the 3-hour one. I feel your pain (except at least mine was only 2 hours...3 hours is extremely long)! I hope you can make it through the 3 hours without feeling sick or getting contractions. I highly recommend downloading some Netflix episodes to your phone and watching with ear phones. It makes the time pass so much more quickly. I really hope you pass! As if you needed another thing!

I was really worried about feeling extremely sick during the test but thankfully I didn’t feel too, too bad. So hopefully it won’t be too bad for you.

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

I'll have bloodwork friday but it's the normal cbc type stuff. Im ok with her keeping tabs on it because it was all out of whack last fall. It wasnt checked again until early pregnancy. She wont check it after friday so at least I'll have a baseline for post partum.

 

[Literati_Love]

Ashley - also, beautiful bump picture! You have stayed very slender through pregnancy!

OnErth - that’s very good they’re keeping an eye on your cbc and whatnot. I think I am done all bloodwork until after pregnancy now.

 

[ashley2pink]

Literati how far off from normal were you on the 1 hr test? And did they tell you how much you passed by on the 2 hr?
I am now nervous I won’t pass the 3 hr. I went and did it earlier today. The 2 nurses I talked to said that even though I did eat a lot of carbs before drinking the drink that it shouldn’t have affected my blood sugar that much and I still should’ve passed since I ate about 1 full hour before I was even due to drink the drink so about 2 hrs before the actual test. So now I’m worried I do have GD. My office has 139 as the cutoff for the 1 hr. Mine was 150.
I still feel kind of sick from the 3 hr test. Just feel queezy and weak. The 3 hr test has double the amount of glucose than the 1 hr.
Oh and not sure if I mentioned this, but the meds I take for contractions can mess with glucose levels making it harder for body to process sugars. I don’t know how common this is though

 

[red_head]

Hey all sorry I haven’t been responding - I have been reading along - there’s a lot going on! Glad everyone is doing okay and wishing those with tests or results coming up lots of luck!
I had my GTT test this morning - I had a consultant appointment this afternoon and the results were already back, and I passed so that’s a relief! Feel absolutely wiped out now! Must be the sugar crash. We’ve got a 4d scan on the 13th, then growth scans at 32 and 36 weeks. I’m excited to see how he’s changed!
Xx

 

[ashley2pink]

Well, I failed the 3 hr test so am diagnosed with GD. I swear my body is just not handling pregnancy well this time.
What’s weird is my 2 hr draw was higher than my 1 hr. My first 2 draws I passed but I failed the 2 and 3 hr draws. So I’m waiting on a call to see someone who deals with gestational diabetes. I was told they would go over diet and then most likely I don’t have to see them again as long as my blood levels stay level. I will have to test my blood sugars multiple times a day and email the results to the specialist. At least this is what the nurse told me would most likely happen.
I wish I knew what to eat. From what I’ve looked up I can eat carbs but only whole grains and they have to be limited. Fruits limited High protein and high veggie meals. Limit processed foods. Fast food is a no no. Healthy fats are a must. I do know of a couple healthy food places nearby thankfully that only serve organic whole food type meals. I can’t even make my own means being on bedrest My poor husband will have it extra hard catering to my new diet

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

Diabetes is more than carbs and sugar. You can eat normal good but you just have to balance the meal. The problem is people think its only sugar or they can eat a big mac and fries. Protein, veggies, fruits, grains are good...its not a special diet. It's just readjusting what you eat. You can do it!

 

[Literati_Love]

Ashley - I’m so sorry you failed your glucose test and have GD! Your body is definitely not cooperating well this pregnancy! Sounds like you have the right idea about diet. What I found overwhelming was how few carbs you’re expected to eat. When I tried to limit my carbs to what I would have to eat if I had GD (when I thought I might have it), I ended up feeling really hungry and gross. I also craved way more sweets because I felt deprived. But hopefully you’ll find a way to adjust and won’t have any issues maintaining your sugar levels through diet! That’s too bad for your hubby that he has to make you special meals now. However, I’m sure he’ll adjust and I guess he can still make pretty foods but the balance of it has to be different. Also, that is so nice that he is cooking for you. I know he needs to because you’re on bed rest, but I don’t know that my husband would even if I were on bed rest.

To answer your questions (even though it’s probably too late now), I failed my first test by quite a lot. Limit is 7.8 and I got 10.2. I actually don’t know how much I passed the fasting one by, but now I’m curious! I was at the doctor on Wednesday but was in a fog and didn’t bother asking for my numbers.

Red head - congrats on passing your GTT test! Exciting that you have some growth scans coming up. I found out that I will have one as well between 30-32 weeks which I have never had in a previous pregnancy. However, for some reason I have been avoiding booking the appointment. I had 3 appointments this week (not all pregnancy related), so I guess I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with all the appointments.


AFM - I’m feeling extremely grouchy today and am in major need of a break! Work has been so busy and overwhelming, which is no fun when you’re 28 weeks pregnant and have had zero mental energy this entire pregnancy! Ugh. I can’t wait for maternity leave! Thankfully, it’s a long weekend for us this weekend so I just have to survive one more day before getting 3 days off.

 

[red_head]

Ashley I’m sorry to hear you’ve got GD and have had such a hard time. Hopefully when baby is hear it’ll be lovely and smooth to make up for what you’ve been through! I do low carb as a diet sometimes and switch out things like pasta and potatoes for vegetables like butternut squash chips or courgetti - I do find if it looks similar you don’t miss it so much! You can normally find packets of that kind of stuff in the supermarket over here so hopefully you’re husband will be able to pick some up as they are easy to cook. It’s good he’s being so supportive.

literati sorry you’re having a tough time at work! I’ve booked a few days off here and there up til Christmas so I have some shorter weeks. I honestly don’t think I’m going to last up to my due date which is what the plan was! When do you take yours?

 

[Literati_Love]

Red head - I have my last day planned for January 10, so just over 2 weeks before my due date. It would definitely be hard to work until your due date! I don’t know how some people do it. For me, it’s important to have some time to rest and recharge, get last minute things ready for baby, and spend some quality time with my kids before the baby arrives. Then again, I also get a long maternity leave so don’t have to worry about the time beforehand cutting into time with baby too much.

That is smart to book a few days off here and there to give you shorter weeks! I am so looking forward to my Christmas holidays, as I have a week and half off and then only have to go back to work for a week and a half in January. Do you also have holidays at Christmas, or just the stats?

 

[Fit_Mama2Be]

Sorry to hear about having GD Ashley. We know all too well about special diets in our house as DS was recently diagnosed with allergies to gluten, dairy and peanuts among other things. It's not easy but you do what you have to I guess.

Glad to hear you passed Red. Can't wait to see pics from your scans, how exciting that you get to see your little man again!

Sorry work has been a drag Literati. I also can't wait to be done and am counting down the days. January 9 will be my last day since I want to save as much time for mat leave as possible. Speaking of mat leave I just didn't feel financially comfortable taking the whole 18 months so decided to do 16. I accrue vacation time while I'm off so I'll end up getting paid by work several weeks before I return so it should work out.

Had my 29 week appointment today. Baby is measuring 31 weeks. He kicked the midwife and then hid from the doppler LOL. Thanks to the supplements my iron levels are slowly creeping up so they were happy with that.

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

Im going for a 3d/4d/HD scan on the 15th. MW yesterday, measured 26wks and 144hb. Showed me how to do belly mapping.

 

[Literati_Love]

Fit mama - cool! Our last day is only 1 day apart. I’m so happy to hear you’re going to take a 16 month mat leave! That will be awesome, and still way better than 12! That’s great that you accrue vacation time while you’re gone. Legally, I should, but I don’t. Oh well.
That is funny that baby kicked the Doppler and then hid! I was measuring 29 cm at 28 weeks so that was a bit more reassuring (after measuring 29 at 26 weeks previously).


OnErth - exciting! What is belly mapping?

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

It's where you feel around on your belly and can feel baby/ baby's position.

 

[Sophie1234]

Hi guys, been reading all the messages. Hope everyones doing OK.

Ashley - sorry to hear you have GD, not the news you wanted with everything else going on too. Hope its easy as it can be to get under control. How is everything else with you? Are you still having lots of contractions?

I passed my GTT test. Not had my belly measured as I never had a 28 week midwife appointment. She cancelled it yet again however it is this Wednesday when I'll be 1 day off 30 weeks.

Is anyone else feeling super Christmassy yet? I'm such a fan of Christmas. I never ever wait until December to put my tree up. Was thinking of doing it next weekend but have decided to hold off until the last weekend of November as I can't be dealing with my 4 year old asking if 'Santa's coming today' for the next month lol! X

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

This is our 2nd year doing Christmas. We will get a tree the weekend before and will have chinese food the day of.
No Santa story here.

 

[ashley2pink]

Yes, still getting a lot of contractions even on the meds and bedrest. I would say on average every 15 minutes though sometimes it’s a little more and sometimes a little less. They are usually worse in the evening and even when I’m not having one I’m very aware of my uterus because it just feels irritated and on the verge of a contraction any second. It can get very stressful. Sometimes i get so frustrated when they start coming closer together that it makes me cry out of frustration and fear I guess. It’s just exhausting timing them all day. They do usually ease up a lot once I’m asleep thankfully.(but maybe I’m sleeping through them?) Then a little after I wake up they start up again even though I’m not even moving. I think I definitely have what is called an irritable uterus. I’m pretty sure it’s not normal at all to have so many but somehow I’m still pregnant. For how long though I don’t know.
My OB wanted to check me for dilation yesterday. He said it was up to me but he would like to know if my dilation is still progressing further. I refused to let him check me. I just can’t do that again with how much it messed me up that first time. I am sure this is partly why I am now contracting so much. I wasn’t contracting this much before I went into labor and delivery. And now I am contracting more with the meds?

 

[red_head]

Hope everyone is doing ok?
Ashley sorry you are having such an awful time. I hope things settle so you can enjoy the last leg of this pregnancy!
Sophie hope your midwife appointment goes well and she doesn’t cancel again. We haven’t really done much at Christmas the last couple years as I’ve found it really difficult due to the infertility. Not sure what we’ll do this year, but I am one of those who doesn’t believe in it until at least December

Had my 3D private scan today. Was lovely. Baby is head down and very low, looks perfect and I am honestly in shock we got this lucky!

 

[Literati_Love]

Sophie - I’m looking forward to Christmas and have already listened to Christmas music a couple times, but I’m not quite 100% in the Christmas mood yet. I would definitely like to get my tree up in November, and we usually do as well. I try to do 80% of my shopping on Black Friday weekend.

OnErth - we also don’t do Santa.


Ashley - Sorry you are having so many contractions every day again. That must be physically and emotionally exhausting. It definitely sounds like you have an irritable uterus. The good news is that many people with an irritable uterus still make it to full term. Hopefully that is the case for you. I hope things settle down soon, and I am sorry you have to go through this.


Red head - that is so great that you scan went well and that baby is healthy!

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

The kids dont care about santa. We have always told them it's not their place to say anything to another child. Sometimes we will get the " what is santa bringing you" and my kids just say " we dont do Christmas". Same with the other characters (tooth fairy, bunny, etc)

I have my 3d scan friday. Im excited.