Glucose testing

Does anyone read this blog anymore? Just wondering, it's a little quiet in the comment section.

So, I failed the 1-hr glucose screening test which meant I had to go in again for the 3-hr glucose test. For those of you don't know what that is I'll briefly explain. Every pregnant woman has to be tested for gestational diabetes when she is between 24 and 28 weeks along. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that doesn't allow the pregnant body to create enough insulin to overcome effects of insulin resistance. It can be dangerous for baby and mother if it is not treated properly.

So, the test goes like this. You go into the hospital. I went in during Samuel's pre-school thinking it would be lovely to only bring one child to be bored for 1 hour while sitting there. So Jocelyn and I head into the hospital and immediately see all the signs with people wearing masks, H1N1 plastered all over them, listing symptoms, etc. I am greeted by the nearly elderly lady at the info desk. She stops me and asks that Jocelyn wear a mask, whether she has a cold or not. I agree to wear one because I had a sore throat and runny nose. But Jocelyn refused. She kept wailing, "I don't want to be a doctor." What happened to my brave little girl? Had she already forgotten about her broken arm this summer? Or is it that she's glimpsed too many House episodes? Either one, she refused. I did not want to make a scene. I did not want to put up with a masked (and growing independent toddler) for one hour and quickly called Tyler demanding he come home once classes were over to watch the kids so I could take the test later that day. And then I thought later, she wouldn't have lasted the one hour with or without a mask. She wouldn't have lasted the first 5 minutes in which I have to chug the nasty orange drink. She would have tried stealing it from me, and enjoyed it too!

So, I went later that day, chugged the nasty drink. It isn't quite as yummy looking like the photo above. It's more like a diluted McDonald's orange drink, the kind they always served in barrels at church activities growing up. You know that kind? Not my favorite drink. Then an hour later I get my blood drawn.

Come to find out, I "failed" this one hour test and have to go in for the 3-hour test later that week. So I have to fast for 10-12 hours before my 7:15 am test the next morning. I delight in eating homemade popcorn with m&m's (they don't melt they just get soft inside, a tip I learned from my BFF Heather) right before the 12 hour mark.

I go in the next morning, leaving the kids at home with Tyler. Get my blood drawn first, to see if I still need to be tested. And I do. Then I get to chug the drink again. This time, however, it was lemon-lime flavored. Not as bad as the orange stuff.

1 hour passes....

I get my blood drawn again.

I stand up, walk to the waiting area, try reading again, and I feel nauseous. I go to the bathroom, put my head b/w my knees and try not to puke. I was incredibly dizzy and praying that I would not pass out on the bathroom floor as it would be some time before anyone discovered me. I finally feel well enough to stand up and leave the bathroom.

1 hour passes...

I try to sleep until this loud toddler comes in with his family and he is screaming hysterically. Having a meltdown every time he doesn't' get his way.

Get my next pin prick, this time in the same place as the last. My arm ins't bruised yet. They told me that it's a good thing I didn't throw up because I would have had to do the test all over again!! They said it should get easier from here on out. Remember, I am still fasting (save a nasty orange drink and some water).

1 hour passes.....

Last needle! Yay! 4 pricks in one morning is enough for me to realize I never want an epidural. Though the epidural is waaaaay bigger, I just don't like the thoughts of needles. The vain was not giving as much blood as before so she was poking around and it felt like she hit a nerve or a bone because it really hurt. I hate needles but am growing used to them.

So, I can finally leave. I just sat in the hospital for 4 hours!!! Ugh. I needed to eat right away and they suggested protein so I stopped at the Burger King and bought a $1 double cheeseburger, 1/4 pound of questionable beef. But it was gooooood.

So, moral of the story. Um, that test sucks. I don't know the results yet. I hope I don't have the diabetes because then I have a higher risk of developing it in my later years. But a forced change in diet wouldn't hurt me either.

UPDATE: I passed with flying colors. Phew!