Gestational Diabetes.

It feels like forever since I have written about anything other than weekly (biweekly) updates. Here is why:

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose). Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health.

As much as I LOVE blogging and let it be my escape from life and troubles, the hardest time to write is when exactly that is happening.....life and troubles. I went in for a somewhat normal check up with my midwife and had to take what they call a glucose tolerance screening. Thinking that I would be absolutely fine I went in, drank some juice, waited an hour in the office, then had blood drawn. They told me that if anything was wrong they would contact me within a couple days. When I went in a week later to pick up a paper to take to get my rhogam shot, the girl that helped me at the front desk asked if I would like my test results, with which I replied "well they didn't call me so I assume they were fine" and she reassured me by basically telling me I had assumed correctly. 

When I went in to Centennial Hills Hospital to get my Rhogam shot they informed me that they did not take my insurance at the hospital, I couldn't get my shot there or deliver there. My health insurance had just changed and I hadn't even had the chance to tell my nurse midwife yet. So I called the office to let them know that my insurance had changed. Whoever I talked to on the phone informed me that Angela (my midwife) also doesn't take my insurance because neither of the hospitals that she delivers at does. Way to send a pregnant girl in to complete panic. And of course more than ready to freak out at my dad who is the one that just changed our health insurance! I went over to talk with my mom and try to figure out what to do. Not only did I think I would have to deliver at the farthest hospital from my home, I had to switch doctors and midwife at 28 WEEKS! Well I get a call from Cholee, my nurses assistant, she informs that whoever I talked to at the front desk, twice, was wrong. They were wrong about my nurse midwife not accepting my insurance, that I couldn't deliver at Mountain View, and she was also wrong about my glucose tolerance screening being fine. My test came back high. Meaning that my body did not tolerate the blood sugars at a healthy rate.

My next step was taking a THREE hour glucose tolerance screening. This time I had to fast for longer, drink that bottle of glucose, and get blood drawn four times in 3 hours. Once again I was informed that if there was something to be concerned about they would call and let me know. As I'm about to walk out the door, in Bellevue, Washington, to go get my hair and make up done to be in my best friends wedding, I get the call. I get the call that sent me into a whirlwind of emotions. Cholee called me to let me know that my test came back high again and that they would now have to refer me to a diabetes specialist where my insurance is accepted. It took everything in me to not burst into to tears before I could get off the phone. Needless to say as soon as I hung up I collapsed on our hotel room floor and burst into tears. I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. All I knew was that there could be complications in delivery, that I may have to have a c-section, that the baby may have to come early, and that him or me could possibly die. I instantly got back on the phone to call my dad, because with stuff like this he's the only one that's going to say exactly what I need to hear to not have a complete meltdown. He got on the phone, heard what it was that I was just told, and instantly struck the miracle of faith in my heart. He told me that everything was going to be fine, that he has a real instinctive feeling that everything is gonna be okay, that the baby is going to be fine, and that the rest of this pregnancy was going to work out well. I felt a calm and peace come over me and I knew what he was saying to me was true. I knew that this little guy was going to be alright, that him and I would both remain healthy through the rest of this journey and that I will not suffer with diabetes once he is born.

Of course all those things I listed are if the diabetes goes untreated. So I was pleasantly surprised with the simplicity of what I had to do once I met with the diabetes educator. My mom went with me because Nu'u was hunting with my family out of town. I was given a blood test thing to prick my finger every day 5 times. That's probably the most annoying part but in all honesty it's not that bad. I am forced to eat a little better. Not necessarily healthier but less sugar. Test my blood 5 times a day to make sure I'm on track and to eat more frequently. Which always has been my weakest area in eating healthy and or losing weight. It's not necessarily eating right it's eating ENOUGH that has always held me back. This little set back is small. I got an ultrasound that day and was told that baby is on track and in the 54% percentile which is average. He was a little more than average in his head (duh) and his upper arm. But everything that they worry about with diabetes (his belly) was very normal and growing fine. Me and this boy are on a mission together, to be healthy and strong and prepared for birth! I know that we can do it. It has taken and will continue to take an immense amount of faith and prayer but I know with The Lord on our side we will be okay and everything will work out. Everything happens for a reason and I think it was a blessing in disguise that I will have lots of extra motivation to lose weight once this baby is born. Because if that has anything to do with it I will do everything I can in my power to help future pregnancies be more healthy!

It was really tough for my to deal with and understand in the beginning and that's why I haven't been on much to write, because it's always a lot easier to get on and write posts when things are healthy and happy and everything is good! When going through a tough time it's a little harder to get on and share. I am doing much better now, dealing with and controlling this diabetes stuff and doing everything I can to have the remainder of this pregnancy be as healthy as possible!