As planned, I took the 3 hour glucose test for gestational diabetes on Friday. The test actually ended up actually being a 4 hour test, so I’m not really sure why it’s called the THREE hour glucose test…
Anyways, since they were going to suck me dry of blood anyways, I had arranged for them to also test me for cholestasis since my itching was so severe.
Well, drumroll please because the verdict has come in…
I am the lucky winner of BOTH gestational diabetes AND cholestasis.
While I suspected that the results might come back badly, I still felt my stomach sink to the floor when I got the call from my midwife. I’m usually a ‘look in the bright side’ kinda girl, so the fact that I ended up with both issues was really a ninja chop to the neck.
Because I failed my glucose test (and not just borderline failed, fully failed), I am now considered a gestational diabetic. I will need to meet with a special dietician who will give me a plan for eating from now until the end of my pregnancy. The diet will allow me very limited carbs and sugar – which is pretty much everything that is delicious. I will also have to do a finger prick test to check my blood sugar four times a day. Hopefully the diet will be enough to keep the gestational diabetes under control. If not, insulin shots will be added to my daily schedule.
Once I meet with the doctor, I will have a better idea how they plan to treat my cholestasis. From my internet research on the subject, they may prescribe me a pill to help with the amount of bile in my blood. I will also most likely have to see the doctor more often, have additional ultrasounds to check on the baby, and be induced at 36 or 37 weeks for the baby’s health.
The only bright side I can see at this point is that by having both issues at the same time, I may have to eat a crappy diet but it will only be for 6 or 7 weeks until the baby is induced. This also means that I may be having a March baby instead of an April baby – so there is less time for us to wait to see our son.
Of course, that means we may only have 6 or 7 weeks before the baby arrives which scares the crap out of me. However, after this weekend we’ll be moved into our new house, so that’s a big help!
Honestly (and understandably), I’m feeling a bit down. Typically I assume that things will work out for the best and they do. However, there’s nothing I can do about it now besides figure out how to get through the next couple months successfully and have a healthy baby. Luckily I was able to get a doctor’s appointment for Friday so that I can get more informed about how to conquer these latest challenges.
In the meantime, send me your prayers and have a chocolate sprinkled donut for me!