7/14 9:00 AM
Dear Munchkin,
I just got a call from the nutritionist at the hospital. My gestational diabetes class meets tomorrow @ 2:15 PM for two hours. In class, I will find out what the treatment program is all about and how to follow it. Right now I sit tight and anxiously wait out the next 24 hours.
Love, Mom
Dearest Munchkin,
Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. This morning I tested positive for Gestational Diabetes. I took the one hour glucose test to measure how well my body is breaking down sugar and scored a 190. In layman's terms, this means that if I had a scored over 140 but less than 180, I would need to repeat the test using a 3 hour fasting version. Scoring a 190 puts me directly in the path of Gestational Diabetes. This diagnosis was fairly unexpected and has definitely thrown me for a loop. I have felt very blessed that so far this pregnancy has been smooth sailing and we have managed to avoid complications. Now I am wrought with worry. On the bright side, this is something that I can control with diet, exercise, glucose testing, and doctor supervision. The majority of women have this test done when they are about 28 weeks along, so I also have the advantage of catching it early. Currently, I don't have a lot of information about my future course of action and it's very frustrating. You will learn that the mind can be a very powerful tool and will sometimes tend to take you to the worst case scenario. My doctor isn't in the office today and the nurse has told me that a dietitian from Moses Cone Hospital will be getting in touch with me with the details on setting up a treatment program. I know that this will involve going to nutritional classes and monitoring my sugar levels via a glucose meter. I believe (read hope) that insulin and shots are a last resort. I have already been reassured by the nurse and trusted family members that this is a very treatable problem. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure that none of this effects your health. I know that once I am able to talk to my doctor or a specialist, I will feel more confident about the outcome. In this moment, all I can do is cry and pray that my body hasn't done you any harm.
I love you very much,
Mom
2 comments:
Jenny
Best of luck in treating this. I know the idea of insulin and shots may seem scary, but the needles are really small. (I know from using them for many years.)
There's lots of information online about G. D. Here's a link to the results returned by my diabetes search tool.
When you get a meter I'd strongly recommend the BD Ultra-Fine 33 gauge lancets. You can buy them at most major drug stores and they're much easier on your fingertips. And if you use the sides of your fingers it's a lot less painful (less nerve endings).
Good luck and may you have a safe and blessed delivery.
*hugs* again!
I asked around, and someone I know on a message board passed along some links that really helped her. She had gestational diabetes too, and both she and her daughter are now perfectly fine. She said these were the best, I really hope they help you too:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hrpregnant/gesdia.cfme
http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gestational-diabetes/DS00316
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/gestational/
-Kristi
ps - I'm sorry I don't know how to make the link clickable!!!!
Post a Comment