September Snugglers 2016

[amantila]

Hope16...I ate literally 5 minutes before I drank the orange liquid they give you. They said don't eat or drink anything AFTER drinking it, so I assumed it would be fine if I ate just before it. I wolfed down a panera sandwich and a sweet iced green tea. I googled after doing that and it looked like that probably wasn't my best idea, but I ended up passing the 1 hr test anyways.

Campn...keep forgetting to mention this. I love the name you chose for your daughter! Such a sweet and pretty name for a girl! :]

 

[MummaMoo]

Sorry i'm not really commenting on all the GD test stuff - I'm absolutely clueless about this subject as it's never cropped up here. How do they even decide that a person needs to be tested? It sounds like a standard practice Stateside, is that right?

Yep Campn, BP was fine at 124/74. The midwife said that it was exactly the same as at my booking in appointment, which is apparently really good, as it shows that my body is coping well with being pregnant, the extra volume of blood and the organs working harder.

 

[amantila]

Mumma, I'm pretty sure it's just standard here in the U.S. Everyone I know has gotten tested around 24ish weeks for it and I'm 99% certain it's common practice. Funny that they don't test for it everywhere! I just thought it was a normal and to-be-expected part of the process. Huh.

 

[aidensxmomma]

Aiden- did you have GD with your other kids? If not don't worry about it. I did the 3 hour test and I passed, but of course sitting for 3 hours there isn't fun.

No GD with the other ones and I actually failed the 1 hour test with my youngest. So I knew there would be a chance, I just thought maybe since I was in better health this time around, I'd pass the 1hr right away.

@aidensxmomma .... did you eat before the test?? I'm curious if that has anything to do with failing.

I actually didn't eat for around 12 hours before the test. I wasn't told not to (just no eating/drinking after drinking the icky sweet drink). But I figured that not eating beforehand might help my chances. No such luck. The 3 hour one I'm not allowed to eat/drink anything besides water for 12 hours before it. They did make sure to tell me that this time. So it must not be that big of an issue for the 1 hour test.

Sorry i'm not really commenting on all the GD test stuff - I'm absolutely clueless about this subject as it's never cropped up here. How do they even decide that a person needs to be tested? It sounds like a standard practice Stateside, is that right?

I've had a GD test done during every pregnancy between 24-28 weeks(ish). I think they just give one to everyone here (I'm in the US). I think the only time it really varies is if there's already risk or suspicion of GD. Otherwise, everyone gets to suffer through it.

 

[Uni tsi]

Borr, sorry to hear about the stress you're under. My mom is fond of telling me that all we really need for the first six months is plenty of clean towels. The joke is getting old, but she does raise a valid point - as long as you are there to love it, baby won't notice not having things. But, I hope for your mental well being your OH finds a new job soon. I can imagine how anguishing it is to have all the worries

Regarding GD tests, call me an optimist, but the one good thing about already having gestational diabetes is NOT having to drink that awful drink =P YUCK! The three hour drink doesn't actually taste worse as I recall, it was just so boring having to sit around. And getting stuck over and over again wasn't great either. By the end, I felt like they were running out of places to draw blood samples from

I hope everyone passes their tests with flying colors! But, if anyone ends up with GD related questions, I've unfortunately gotten a bit of a crash course recently and will be glad to help answer I've been considered diabetic since my first trimester. Le sigh.

 

[Hope16]

so basically, it doesn't matter if you eat before the 1 hr test? I have mine scheduled for the 22nd of this month. When my sister took the test, she had just eaten a bagel beforehand and failed. Then she had to take the 3hr test and she passed.

So I will eat breakfast, but I will make sure I stay away from carbs right beforehand. Hopefully it works. Thank you for all your input!

 

[Lallie81]

2 of the best things to eat for breakfast to keep your blood sugar low is eggs or oats so maybe try that before your 1hr test? On the other hand it may be more beneficial to eat normally so you get a true picture of how your body is coping. My Dr really scared me this week by pointing out that one of my readings was so high it could have stopped baby's heartbeat.... has certainly made me wake up and take things very seriously.

 

[xanzaba]

Hi ladies- just came back from the ultrasound. Little Liam is not so little! He's measuring at least 2 weeks ahead, weighing in at 3 pounds 6 ounces (just over 30 weeks). Again, he will not cooperate. The best picture of his face we could get you can almost see the nose. So, big, uncooperative. No change from 20 weeks He is head down, though, so that's good!

Hope- my doctor said before the GD test to have a normal meal, but not to overload on the carbs. She suggested eggs and a piece of toast, so that's what I had and passed the test. I think there are so many grams of sugar in that little bottle that a normal meal pales in comparison.

 

[Uni tsi]

2 of the best things to eat for breakfast to keep your blood sugar low is eggs or oats so maybe try that before your 1hr test? On the other hand it may be more beneficial to eat normally so you get a true picture of how your body is coping. My Dr really scared me this week by pointing out that one of my readings was so high it could have stopped baby's heartbeat.... has certainly made me wake up and take things very seriously.

One thought on oats, they need to be whole, slow cooked oats, as quick or instant oats can spike blood sugar because they digest so easily. I think women who don't have blood sugar issues can probably eat whatever they want before the test and still come back normal but personally if I even look at a piece of toast in the morning my blood sugar skyrockets

Lallie, what your doctor said made me feel very nervous. Of all the complications that are possible from diabetes, I didn't realize high sugar could also cause problems for baby's heart. Scary! Did he say what the threshold was? I have really good blood sugar control though, it is possible. It just takes some effort. Meds help. And exercise is key.

 

[Lallie81]

Good points uni! We can't really get quick oats here so hadn't though of that.

I had one reading of 177. I hadn't thought about implications for babies heart either, really shocked me....

 

[campn]

Yeah like Uni said some of us have metabolic syndrome and some have normally low blood sugar so really it's a very specific test to your body kind of thing! With DS I had toast before my test and failed by a couple of points, but this doctor said I would eat protein (eggs, bacon, etc) but I'll probably go before eating cause the appointment is early and I'm normally nauseous in the mornings.

Xan- Over 3 lbs already!? Good job mama! You've a mighty awesome placenta! I take it as a very good indication that he's super healthy and could come early and do very well. By early I mean 37 weeks of course!

All the family now knows the baby's name, (Thank you Aman for the sweet compliment!!) and I've been receiving gifts off my registry which I'm so surprised by, I thought no one would care since this is my second, but all of this is making it so real that before we know it we'll be discussing contractions and mucus plugs being lost! WHERES the pause button!?

 

[ciz]

Hey ladies. Sorry not really been around. Hope your all well. I'm 26 weeks but I feel massive!! We had a 4d scan which was amazing experience. Definitely looks like we have a boy on the way for sure and he is the spit of his sister when she was born and apparently full head of hair lol.

Now I have the task of going through dd old clothes for keeps or charity but I'm finding it really hard to do. I do. Feel like a hoarder need to keep it all.

 

[MeganS0326]

Had my three hour test today. It was an awful experience. After the first hour draw I went to sit in the waiting room. As soon as I sat down I started sweating profusely and my heart was racing. I got up to go splash some water on my face and could barely make it down the hall. Luckily an observant nurse saw me and got me into a chair in an exam room before I fainted. It was such a gross feeling that I never want to experience again. The only good thing is that I didn't puke. Oh and the phlebotomist at my dr.'s office is new so for the four blood draws she stuck me a total of 13 times. I'm bruised all up and down both arms and hands. Now to wait for the results...

 

[xanzaba]

Megan- I'm sorry you had such a hard day. That fainting feeling is the worst. I hope you get good results soon!

 

[ajarvis]

So much to catch up on!

Here the GD test is fairly standard although you can refuse. I don't think I'll take it this time. I've never had a problem. But if I decide to it will be at 27 weeks or so.

My MIL is coming down end of July and we are doing the nursery then. So I have a few weeks to clean out the boys toys from he room I have the bedding already and the cradle bedding. I've bought some sleepers and so has some family. Not a ton yet. Once the nursery is ready it'll be time

So exciting that everyone is in or approaching 3rd tri! I'm waiting patiently.... or not... for Saturday to be 24 weeks. My fiance finally got to feel her kicking last night. Because he listened and had patience lol. But she's getting stronger and it hurts when she kicks my bladder - although my boys find it funny. Little bums lol.

 

[Uni tsi]

Megan, that almost sounds to me like the symptoms of low blood sugar. I hope it means your body was responding correctly to all that sugar and your test results will come back good. I hope they let you eat something before you left the clinic? Sounds just awful though, especially the part about getting stuck 13 times! Horrible. Glad it's behind you now. fx you'll get a good result

Lallie, I wish I could ask your doc more about that. 177 is pretty high, but everything I'm being told is that occasionally high numbers aren't really a big deal, it's more about the overall pattern. As long as most of the numbers are low enough most of the time, things will be ok. The risks I'm most concerned about at this point are related to the placenta, but I've been reassured those don't really happen until people start going above 300. I was told it's the fluctuation between going very high and then back to normal that causes the most problems. But maybe they're just saying that so I don't freak out too much lol Either way, I try to always stay under 130. My problem is my fasting numbers are a little too high, over which I have no control. Do they have you doing finger sticks yet? At first it sucks, but it's nice to have all the data and be able to see exactly how food and exercise change the number.

I was given a huge pile of clothes recently from a friend of ours who has a little boy. Some of the cutest stuff in the pile is blue, and you know what - I think she'll wear blue I don't care if it confuses other people, fuzzy blue pajamas with a hood that has ears to make her look like a little blue bear is just too cute to pass up! I mean, dark blue is a gender neutral color, right? lol Well, it is at my house!

 

[hopie2015]

Glad everyone is doing well!
Xan- great baby is measuring big! baby hopie was much bigger than 'normal' at 23 wk scan, so I am thinking will be again on next.

Borr- best of luck to your husband finding a job soon. That is very stressful but try not to worry and trust all will fall into place. Hopefully you can use your friend's baby clothes and then return them for her baby, as I hear babies grow out of things very fast! Also online sites people give away their clothes/gear for free or super cheap. I'm going to check that out. (craigslist, freecycle).

No GD test for me at 28 wk appt. Going in 2 weeks. They gave me that awful looking orange drink and just the thought of it!! I agree- just eat eggs for breakfast a couple hours before. I asked about kick counting and dr. wasn't concerned with it -- just said good I feel movement often now! Then said due to age I have to have an ultrasound every week at 35 weeks. Ugh. They make me so nervous. So I am kind of hoping baby keeps measuring big and well and at 37 weeks maybe he/she will be an August baby.

 

[xanzaba]

Uni- I don't know about pregnancy, but DH's blood sugar can be high in the morning (170s are on the higher side, but not unheard of). And numbers should take into account if it's just before a meal or just after a meal. Being on insulin can make a difference too in how they interpret your levels and everyone is different.

But DH has gone to doctors with different thresholds of concern. He has had diabetes for over 30 years and, knock wood, hasn't yet had any problems. If you like your doctor and trust him/her I would follow their advice, and ask them next time you see them.

About the clothes, I absolutely think that dark blue is like a neutral color, and if there were cute clothes I wouldn't care about color. I would love fuzzy animal pajamas- that sounds so cute!

 

[MummaMoo]

All the family now knows the baby's name, (Thank you Aman for the sweet compliment!!) and I've been receiving gifts off my registry which I'm so surprised by, I thought no one would care since this is my second, but all of this is making it so real that before we know it we'll be discussing contractions and mucus plugs being lost! WHERES the pause button!?

I personally CANNOT wait for the lost mucus plugs and contractions discussions!! BRING IT ON!!

 

[amantila]

Loving all of the bump photos! Each bump is so unique and beautiful! :]

hopie: so glad you finally got to tell your mom! She must be over the moon excited for you! And I'm glad she waited for you to say something instead of guessing when she was wondering if you could be. Glad you got to tell her when you were ready!

xan: I took the glucose challenge test today too! That orange drink was nasty, but not as bad as I thought it would be to be honest. It tasted like tang with about 2 extra cups of sugar added. Haha. Not something I would ever elect to drink on my own, but at least I got it down and kept it down alright.

Talked to my doctor about my hips and she pretty much said it was normal and not much I could do about it. She said I could use a knee pillow and if it gets really bad I can take tylenol pm to help me sleep at night. That will be a last resort for me though. I went swimming today and it was wonderful (I took the day off again because the school year is almost over and I had one more personal day to use). Relaxed by the pool afterwards in the sunshine with my book. Baby Lincoln enjoyed himself I think, he was squirming around visibly in my tummy! :]

Now I'm making dinner and waiting for the hubs to come home. BBQ chicken, corn bread, and roasted asparagus. Yum! :]

All the family now knows the baby's name, (Thank you Aman for the sweet compliment!!) and I've been receiving gifts off my registry which I'm so surprised by, I thought no one would care since this is my second, but all of this is making it so real that before we know it we'll be discussing contractions and mucus plugs being lost! WHERES the pause button!?

I personally CANNOT wait for the lost mucus plugs and contractions discussions!! BRING IT ON!! : happydance:

I can...first time momma here and starting to feel panicky about the whole process! It hit me the other day that I literally have no other option at this point than to deliver the baby when he's ready. I'm so excited to have him in my arms when he's ready, but I'm so not looking forward to finding out what labor is like.

hopie: the one good thing about that orange drink is that you have to drink it fast. I chugged it pretty much because it tasted AWFUL. And I'm slightly jealous that you get to see baby every week in ultrasound (although I understand the anxiety that comes with it). I'm all done with ultrasounds for the rest of my pregnancy unless a complication arises. Wish I could see my little one!

Uni: dark blue can definitely be a girl's color. My favorite colors have always been blue and green so who says they can't be girl's colors? Put a bow on her head if you're worried about people getting confused and remember that even when the clothing is super gender specific, people are dumb and make mistakes.

xan: can't believe your little one is over 3 lbs already! Wahoo! Wonder how big my little Lincoln has grown to be so far...I'm thinking that he is going to be quite long. His dad is 6'4" and I'm already suffering plenty of rib kicks because baby loves to stretch out as far as he can.

Megan: sounds like a horrible doctor's visit. I would have run by the second stab. I'm such a squeamish baby (I've gotten better since they draw your blood at just about every appointment when you're pregnant) but I can't imagine myself dealing with 13 jabs! UGHHHH. That must have been awful.

We are painting the nursery this weekend...I spent yesterday prepping for painting since I can't actually do the painting myself. But it's all spackled and taped and ready for my husband to transform it this weekend! Yippee! :] Can't set any furniture up in it yet because new carpet comes in on the 28th of June (all I have is the changing table anyways). But I'm excited that we are finally doing SOMETHING :]

Think I'm going to the zoo tomorrow too :] I'm part of this Meetup group for ladies in my age range and they are taking a trip to the zoo. Thought it would be a fun way to meet some new people in my new city because I still don't know many people outside of work/my husbands friends.