I had another appointment with the nutritionist today to go over my test results from the previous week, look at what I ate prior to those results and try to determine patterns that I can use for future weeks.
In the last week I have been feeling a roller coaster of emotions. Overwhelm, confusion, frustration, disappointment, upset, down, etc... because despite my efforts, I haven't been able to figure out what food combinations are best for my body and blood sugar. So, I've been a little depressed.
The appointment was good though and I learned some things I should do to tweak the program (things that I should do more often and things to do less often or eliminate) to achieve my goal blood sugars. They said that I have been doing a pretty good job based on what I've been eating and my exercise levels, however, they noted that my fasting blood sugars have still been high and so they decided that it looks like I will not be able to control my blood sugar levels through diet and exercise alone and have decided I need to go on medication.
They gave me two options. One - a pill, called Metformin, or Two - insulin shots. I'm not sure which to choose because on the one hand, Metformin is fairly new and they are still doing studies of how baby might be affected by it, whereas insulin has been around for years and is proven not to cross the placenta or effect the baby in anyway. However, the studies they have done on Metformin show, so far, that though the medication does cross the placenta, it poses no risk to the baby. In fact, it shows a possible positive side effect of a decreased risk in developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. And then there's the whole thing about not wanting to give myself shots, and you know that factors into it too. I've gone back and forth with my decision, but I have a dr. appt tomorrow and will ask her advice at that time and then decide what to do.
Kind of a bummer, but at least I'm dealing with it and doing what I can to keep her healthy.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
November 24, 2010 - Standard Prenatal Appt - 31 weeks!
I just realized that I forgot to post about my last standard prenatal doctor appointment (that was on 11/24/2010). I can't remember everything about the appointment but I do remember a few things...
The main thing that left an impression on me is that the doctor said, because of the gestational diabetes, if I don't deliver naturally by 39 weeks (1/19/2011) that they will talk about inducing. So, hopefully I will naturally go into labor before that. I don't think being induced would be that bad, I just would prefer for things to progress naturally. So, that means that I have one week less than I thought I did - instead of having 7 weeks to go, I only have 6!
Also, she did an external exam of my abdominal area and said that it feels like Alexia is head down already, but that she can't tell for sure. She said either way, even if she was breech right now, there is still time for her to rotate to the head down position either on her own or through massage (which I hear is painful) - so hopefully the doc's first impressions are correct and she is already head down. They say if the baby is head down at this stage in the game, they usually stay that way, so... let's hope!
Also, she gave me a referral to have another ultra sound appointment to check on Alexia's size and make sure everything is ok there (again, because of the gestational diabetes). So, I'm looking forward to getting to see her again.
The main thing that left an impression on me is that the doctor said, because of the gestational diabetes, if I don't deliver naturally by 39 weeks (1/19/2011) that they will talk about inducing. So, hopefully I will naturally go into labor before that. I don't think being induced would be that bad, I just would prefer for things to progress naturally. So, that means that I have one week less than I thought I did - instead of having 7 weeks to go, I only have 6!
Also, she did an external exam of my abdominal area and said that it feels like Alexia is head down already, but that she can't tell for sure. She said either way, even if she was breech right now, there is still time for her to rotate to the head down position either on her own or through massage (which I hear is painful) - so hopefully the doc's first impressions are correct and she is already head down. They say if the baby is head down at this stage in the game, they usually stay that way, so... let's hope!
Also, she gave me a referral to have another ultra sound appointment to check on Alexia's size and make sure everything is ok there (again, because of the gestational diabetes). So, I'm looking forward to getting to see her again.
December 2, 2010 - 1st Sweet Success Session - 32 weeks!
I met with a nutritional counselor this morning. It was pretty overwhelming because a lot of information was thrown at me at once - It was a 2+ hour appointment!
They talked about what foods I could eat and in combination with what and when I could eat them. As well, as foods that I have to avoid altogether. And they talked about how one of the key factors to high blood sugar (which I never realized before) is stress. OMG - I stress so much about everything all of the time. It is going to be a very big adjustment to try to stop getting uptight and/or obsessive over everything. They also gave me a blood test meter, strips and lancets, so that I can check my blood at home - 4 times a day! The nurse showed me how to use the meter and I was really nervous at first but finally I took a deep breath and pushed the button so that the spring loaded needle would prick my finger. OMG - It was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Just a small pinch (much less than a shot or blood test) - I could barely feel it. I felt so silly for taking the deep breath and being so nervous about it.
Anyway, so I think the two hardest things about this will be 1. managing my stress and 2. managing my eating times (I'm a total grazer and used to eating whenever I feel like it, not at designated times).
So, I was a little bummed or depressed feeling after the appointment but I have resolved to do the best I can and try not to stress on it or get down on myself if I don't have good sugar levels at first. The nutritionist did say that this first week would be a learning period to see what foods spike my blood sugar, and what foods don't. So, we'll see....
They talked about what foods I could eat and in combination with what and when I could eat them. As well, as foods that I have to avoid altogether. And they talked about how one of the key factors to high blood sugar (which I never realized before) is stress. OMG - I stress so much about everything all of the time. It is going to be a very big adjustment to try to stop getting uptight and/or obsessive over everything. They also gave me a blood test meter, strips and lancets, so that I can check my blood at home - 4 times a day! The nurse showed me how to use the meter and I was really nervous at first but finally I took a deep breath and pushed the button so that the spring loaded needle would prick my finger. OMG - It was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Just a small pinch (much less than a shot or blood test) - I could barely feel it. I felt so silly for taking the deep breath and being so nervous about it.
Anyway, so I think the two hardest things about this will be 1. managing my stress and 2. managing my eating times (I'm a total grazer and used to eating whenever I feel like it, not at designated times).
So, I was a little bummed or depressed feeling after the appointment but I have resolved to do the best I can and try not to stress on it or get down on myself if I don't have good sugar levels at first. The nutritionist did say that this first week would be a learning period to see what foods spike my blood sugar, and what foods don't. So, we'll see....
November 30, 2010 - 5th Childbirth Class - 32 weeks!
During Childbirth class tonight we talked about infant care. We talked about how to hold, feed, burp, dress, change and wash the baby, and how to do a few different swaddling techniques.
It was a good class and pretty informative, however, the baby dolls they have us use are really not very realistic at all. Of course, it's easier to do all this stuff with a baby doll that doesn't move/wiggle around and who doesn't need it's head to be supported. And then again, in some ways it was more difficult, because these dolls are stiff and not flexible like a real baby so dressing them and holding them was much more awkward.
Mike seemed to be a pro with the dolls, so I'm hoping that it transfers over to the real thing too. I'm just lucky he's been through this once before :)
It was a good class and pretty informative, however, the baby dolls they have us use are really not very realistic at all. Of course, it's easier to do all this stuff with a baby doll that doesn't move/wiggle around and who doesn't need it's head to be supported. And then again, in some ways it was more difficult, because these dolls are stiff and not flexible like a real baby so dressing them and holding them was much more awkward.
Mike seemed to be a pro with the dolls, so I'm hoping that it transfers over to the real thing too. I'm just lucky he's been through this once before :)
November 27, 2010 - 31 1/2 weeks!
So, Mike's work, Home Depot's, open enrollment is in November and the new policy period begins 1/1/2011. We found out that they don't consider the pregnancy a pre-existing condition and that they will cover the pregnancy, delivery, hospital fee's, etc... at 90% (whereas mine only covers 50%). It was our plan all along to add me to his insurance so that I would have dual insurance at the time of the delivery. Then we found out a few weeks ago, that Home Depot has new restrictions and spouse's can only be added to the policy if, among other things that don't apply to me, they don't have insurance available to them through their own employer. So, we decided to ask my work if I could reduce my hours to 31/week so that I would no longer qualify for health benefits. Luckily, they agreed. So, up through 12/31/2010 at 11:59pm I will be covered by health insurance through my work, and as of 1/1/2011 at midnight I will be covered by health insurance through Mike's work. I'm excited because this will save us thousands of dollars on the hospital fee's/delivery.
It took some finagling, but we finally got it figured out!
It took some finagling, but we finally got it figured out!
November 23, 2010 - 4th Childbirth Class - 31 weeks!
Today in Childbirth class we did more of the same stuff and then learned about C-sections. I probably wouldn't have paid much attention to this part of the class, because the idea of a C-section really creeps me out. But I've heard that women with Gestational Diabetes have a higher chance of having a large baby and therefore are at an increased risk of having to have a C-section. So, I paid a little closer attention because of that. But I really, really, really, really don't want to have to have a C-section.
They showed a computer simulation of what would happen during a C-section and I have to say it seemed pretty horrible! So, yeah, I want to avoid it if at all possible. Mike was like, "Hopefully it doesn't, but we shouldn't worry about it because if it happens, it happens, it's not that bad." I said, "You're right, I shouldn't worry about it. But tell me, how would you feel if I cut your stomach open while you're concious and took something out of you?" He conceded to my premise.
Anyway, at 24 weeks Alexia was on the small side of normal, so lets hope that trend continues. Keep your fingers crossed for me that everything goes smoothly and no C-section is needed.
They showed a computer simulation of what would happen during a C-section and I have to say it seemed pretty horrible! So, yeah, I want to avoid it if at all possible. Mike was like, "Hopefully it doesn't, but we shouldn't worry about it because if it happens, it happens, it's not that bad." I said, "You're right, I shouldn't worry about it. But tell me, how would you feel if I cut your stomach open while you're concious and took something out of you?" He conceded to my premise.
Anyway, at 24 weeks Alexia was on the small side of normal, so lets hope that trend continues. Keep your fingers crossed for me that everything goes smoothly and no C-section is needed.
November 20, 2010 - 30 1/2 weeks
I took my 3 hour glucose blood test today. It wasn't as bad as the first time I had to take it so that's good. But still, not fun! 4 blood tests in 3 hours - uugghh :(
I found out on 11/22 that my blood sugar levels were high on all 4 blood tests and that is a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. I was dissappointed when I found out but tried to not be pessimistic about the whole thing and I'm trying to put as positive a spin on it as possible.
I have a Dr. Appt on 11/24 and will talk to the docotor more about it then, but in the mean time they gave me a referral to a program through Sutter called Sweet Success. They will help teach me about what exactly gestational diabetes is, how to control my blood sugar with diet and exercise and how to check my blood sugar levels. They will also talk to me about various options/treatments if my blood sugar can't be controlled by diet and exercise alone. I am really looking forward to that appointment so that I can have a better understanding of the whole thing.
In the meantime, I guess I'm going to have to avoid a lot of the sweet stuff this Thanksgiving :(
I found out on 11/22 that my blood sugar levels were high on all 4 blood tests and that is a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. I was dissappointed when I found out but tried to not be pessimistic about the whole thing and I'm trying to put as positive a spin on it as possible.
I have a Dr. Appt on 11/24 and will talk to the docotor more about it then, but in the mean time they gave me a referral to a program through Sutter called Sweet Success. They will help teach me about what exactly gestational diabetes is, how to control my blood sugar with diet and exercise and how to check my blood sugar levels. They will also talk to me about various options/treatments if my blood sugar can't be controlled by diet and exercise alone. I am really looking forward to that appointment so that I can have a better understanding of the whole thing.
In the meantime, I guess I'm going to have to avoid a lot of the sweet stuff this Thanksgiving :(
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