Jul 16 2008
Elevated Levels
I got a call from my OB/GYN’s office today and you know when they call you after a test, it’s usually not good news.
The results of my blood glucose levels came in and they were elevated, which means I may have gestational diabetes.
Now I have to take the glucose tolerance diagnostic test which involves fasting and remaining at the lab for three hours while they do four incremental blood draws during that time period to measure how my blood sugar levels respond over time. Not really my idea of a fun way to spend a Saturday morning when I’d rather be at the Farmer’s Market shopping for my fruits and veggies for the week.
I hope it’s just the 32 oz. fruit punch that I drank a couple of hours before the test that skewed the numbers. Normally, I eat pretty well, but we were on the road for video shoots and stopped off at Kiawe Grill for lunch. I had the Kobe Beef Hamburger special that came with fries and a 32 oz. drink, else I’d normally opt for a bottled water. That was a poor choice on my part.
The nurse will be sending me a lab slip and instructions in the mail. If I receive it by Friday, I’ll go in on Saturday for the test. I’d like to know sooner rather than later whether I have gestational diabetes or not. I guess that means no more spontaneous trips to the McDonald’s drive-thru for hot fudge sundaes and M&M McFlurries for now?
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. A new mom to her miracle baby, born on October 4, 2008. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
My wife had gestational diabetes with both our kids. In her case it was a matter of controlling both sugar/carb intake and substituting skim milk for whole milk. Prayers sent in any case.
Hi Donna,
I had gestational diabetes with Sam. I was so upset that I had made poor food choices before the test, too, but what I found out was that it was my body’s inability to process sugar (carbs) into energy–and the added weight (stress) on my body to carry him in my tummy. The scary thing was that the pure sugar was going to Sam. I think that is the main concern about GD, that the baby will become too big and have health concerns later.
Think of this as just another test. My blood sugar was elevated with my pregnancy with Alaina, but when they did the 3 hour, it was fine. They look at everything more closely during this test, about how YOUR body processes the sugar.
Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I now have 3 children and I only had GD once, meaning that you never really know how many times you will have it.
Like your friend Mark said above, it’s just portion control and being more cognizant of what you eat. You’re doing great!!!
I’ll be praying for your test on Saturday!
Gestational diabetes is serious but can be treated pretty effectively. What is hoped is two things: first, that the gestational diabetes does not develop into or predict later type II diabetes (which is my disease) and secondly, that what is believed to be gestational diabetes isn’t actually type II that wasn’t diagnosed before.
I can, of course, write endless dissertations on how to deal with type II diabetes.