To the shock of absolutely no one, I failed my glucose test this morning. I mean, why not? Getting pregnant was hard. Being pregnant is hard. Why not add another dimension of making my life difficult in this area?
Yes, I'm unnecessarily bitter about this. My doctor is convinced I'll pass the three-hour test with no problem...although he put off my one-hour test until 28 weeks because I had no symptoms or risk factors for diabetes, and he was convinced I'd pass no problem. I'm definitely all about defying the odds and being that one in a huge number statistic.
Honestly, when Dr. G. called with my results, I wanted to cry. I was at work, surrounded by co-workers in neighboring cubicles, so I couldn't, but I wanted to. I just wanted to quit. Everything. 148 with a cutoff of 140. 8 points. Un-freaking-believable.
I had much more to write about--good things--but I'm too annoyed to remember everything. So here's the rundown of the rest of my appointment today.
Heart rate in the 140s. Belly measuring 1 cm small. I'm up a total of 16 pounds. Blood pressure 90/55.
Dr. G. noted in my chart that he's "90% sure" baby is now head down, but I still have too much ab definition for him to be 100% sure. Yeah...that's never been an issue for me before EVER, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to add "too much ab definition" to my resume.
That's the only good thing to come out of my appointment today.
So...what are the secrets to cheating the 3-hour glucose test? Anyone fail their 1-hour and then pass the 3-hour? Should I be cutting out sugar this week, or eating more so the glucose isn't a shock to my system that morning? Dr. G. told me to walk a lot the day before - any other special tricks? I walked all over the hospital today between the end of my appointment and waiting for the hour to be up for my blood draw, mostly because I was bored and I didn't want to sit with all the sick people at the lab. Clearly it helped a lot.
Oh Lilee, give yourself a hug from me :) Being pregnant is hard and it is emotional, but it WILL be okay regardless of the outcome of the 3 hour test. My understanding is that there isn't a lot you can do to cheat the results, but always make sure you are drinking enough water and decrease your sugar/carb intake the day of and the day before. I have never heard of walking to help the results, but hey, it doesn't hurt to try it, right? Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amber!
DeleteI would put "too much ab definition" on a sandwich board and wear it for weeks. I don't know what you ate (if anything) before your test, but you basically want to avoid any extra sugar. I avoided my usual sweet snack the night before, and the morning of I just had a veggie omelet for breakfast, no toast or fruit or juice or anything else that would be converted to extra sugar. The three hour test is a fasted one, though, if I'm not mistaken, so that should probably be less of an issue. You'll pass for sure, it's just a pain in the ass to have to do it.
ReplyDeleteThat's where things get a little confusing. My 1-hour was actually fasting. No food or drink after midnight, and nothing before the test (at 8:00 a.m.). Plus my doctor warned me about anything too sugary/carby for supper the night before. I've read that some hospitals tell you to INCREASE your carbs for three days before your 3-hour test, but that's pretty much the opposite of what my doctor said. I have no idea what I'm doing.
DeleteA few yearsago, we moved to doing a 2 hour fasting test, because so many people fail the 1 hour and cruise through the 3 hr. If the 1 hour was really high >190, we wouldn't torture them with a three hour and just labelled them as GDM. with a 148, I suspect you'll pass just fine. Make sure you fast.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. My doctor did make it sound like the 1 hour wasn't very reliable, and he's sure I'll pass the 3 hour. I fasted for the first one, but hopefully this one goes better.
DeleteI don't know about any of this but you got this! Maybe everything will be ok with the 3 hour test :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amie!
DeleteI am so sorry, I hope your next test goes better!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Caroline!
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