This is going to be a quick post. Last Thursday at my midwife appt. I did the 1 hr gestational diabetes test. I didn't really want to do it in the first place but my midwife talked me into it with a list of reasons why it was important to know because of health risks to the baby. So I did it. And then on Monday I found out I failed it. Passing cutoff is 139 and I scored a 155. So my midwife wants me to do the follow up 3 hr test.
I don't want to. There are many, many reasons why I don't want to. I wont go into all of them but I do think the test is flawed and the chances of me actually having GD and there being health risks to the baby are so low I don't feel like it's worth doing.
The shitty thing is that now that I failed the first one my choices are take the 3 hr test and cross my fingers that I pass or find a new midwife who is comfortable with me declining the 3 hr test and follow the GD diet AND test my blood sugar 4X a day. Obviously they have me cornered. The easiest option is to just take the 3 hr test and hope I pass and this all goes away.
However now I have a bad taste in my mouth. I am bitter and frankly angry that midwives/Dr.s can manipulate you into compliance whenever they feel like it by simply uttering the tag line "it puts your baby at risk". Who wants to be told they are a shitty mother before the baby is even born? I feel like they are not giving me a choice. I suppose I could call around and see if there is a midwife out there who has no problem with me skipping the 3 hr test but if they also want me to prick my finger 4X a day is it really worth it after I feel like I have already gotten comfortable with my current midwife? I don't think so.
So I have been bullied into taking the damn 3 hr test on Tues. I know that the majority of women who fail the first test go on to pass the second. My midwife said only 4-8% of women fail the 3 hr test. If I do fail the 3 hr we will try to control it with diet and exercise (which I am already basically doing) and if it's managed then I can still have a home birth. My midwife said in 8 years she has only had to transfer 2 women to OB care.
The other really frustrating news is I got my iron levels checked and they are lower than the last time despite religiously taking my iron supplements! How the fuck is that even possible? Don't explain it to me, I don't care. I was already anemic to start with so my midwife cautioned that we need to get them up to higher levels or my home birth might be jeopardized. Double fuck.
My thyroid results came back normal so at least there's that.
We have our 30 week anatomy scan scheduled for this Friday. If we don't get good news there I am preparing for a full on melt down. Please, please let Hazy have had a growth spurt! Even if she hasn't moved in percentiles at least let her be the same but just bigger all around. I have been obsessively doubling my protein intake every day and last week at my midwife appt. I was measuring 2 weeks ahead so I am really crossing my fingers that means she has grown.
I hope we get some good pictures of her which of course I will share with you! Hope everyone else is having a better week than I am so far!
Damn, girl! That sucks. I was fully prepared to fail the 1 hour since so many people do.
ReplyDeleteReally hoping you pass the 3 hour and that nothing jeopardizes your plan for a home birth. Also hope you get some good photos on Friday, can't wait to see them.
Also... don't use the word "fuck" in the subject line because you scare the crap outta me. I mean I know that's my thing, but still when I see it, I panic. I know you had a shitty day and I don't mean to trivialize it but please understand my relief in seeing it was something kinda sorta bad, not something unthinkably awful bad. Phew!!
Sorry to hear girlfriend! If it makes you feel any better, I failed my 1 hour test but passed my 3 hour test. I'm sure you will too...
ReplyDeleteAlso, we are in the same boat with anemia (had it before pregnancy and hasn't gotten better despite my iron supplements) and with having small babies. My midwife ordered a last minute ultrasound today because I am measuring so small. There's always something for us to worry/stress about, isn't there?
I really think that we just have small babies but that they are healthy. You sound like you have done a FAR better job than me in ensuring you are getting adequate protein in your diet. Try not to worry, I know it's easier said than done.
That freaking blows on so many levels! So sorry you are dealing with this. Stupid medical system and stupid glucose test! Hope you pass the 3 hour test. Hazy is super smart and growing just the size she needs to be. Have you tried nettle infusions for the iron? Huge hug. Hope this stressful phase is short and resolves quickly.
ReplyDeleteTell me more about nettle infusions?!
DeleteHere's an article http://gentlebirths.net/17/herbal-pregnancy-blend
ReplyDeleteI soak 1/4 cup dried nettles in a French press overnight and I really enjoy it. It's been used by midwives forever to treat anemia as it is high in iron and vitamin C, which helps with absorption. I buy my nettles at Herban Wellness in Kirkland, but Ballard also has Dandelion Botanicals which is a nice herbal apothecary.
Omg Marcy... this is bizzare! Gentle births is the website of my mothers midwife!!! Carole delivered at least 3 of my sisters!! I would totally have her be my midwife except she doesn't travel to Seattle!! I will email her directly. When I asked my midwife what else I can do to get my iron she said nothing....not feeling good about that :(
DeleteI'll echo everyone else's statements and say I'm sorry, sounds like you're having an overall shitty week. It is amazing how health care professionals can make us feel like such shitty parents before the baby has even come into this world. I hope you pass your 3 hour test and Hazy starts measuring bigger. It sounds like you're doing all you can for her, so don't beat yourself up (or let anyone else do it.)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry and wishing you the best of luck on your 3-hour test! I remember not eating the morning of my one-hour test so my blood sugar wouldn't be too high. I almost fainted and threw up when the nurse took my blood (twice - the first time she hit a vein and blood came pouring out of the needle!). It's crazy what we go through to be parents!
ReplyDeleteSorry you have to take the 3 hour, it sucks. I had gestational diabetes my first pregnancy. So after years and many IVF's and now pregnant again my new OB just had me go straight to a diabetic coordinator and put me on the GD diet and finger sticks. So I was able to skip the glucose test. I do question if I even have GD's or had the first time as my old OB told me to fast and watch the carbs for a few days prior to the test. I've now heard people eat before and eat many carbs the days before. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteAs for iron - my body doesn't absorb the stupid pills. I had three iron infusions last year. I've also started taking this: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/spatone-pur-absorb-liquid-iron-supplement-28-pack/ID=prod6098034-product
my numbers aren't high but they have increased a tiny bit, seems my body absorbs more from the liquid than the pills. Put in a bit of orange juice though to cover the taste and I've heard better absorbtion when taken with vitamin c. Good luck