OB appointment 27 weeks 4 days: It's official

As expected, I have now been officially diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. I saw my OB this morning and despite the news, she was very upbeat (as always). She came bounding in to the room, calling out "Sugar girl!" Overall, she was very reassuring and encouraging, giving two hugs and several high fives. Lots of "OMG, you'll be 28 weeks on Saturday! You're basically in the third trimester!! Look at you! Everything is going to be fine!" I really don't know where she gets her energy from.

Interestingly, I have gained no weight in the past month. Don't know if that could be diabetes-related or not, but given my worry about getting huge, or Magpie being huge, I don't see it as a bad thing. I've certainly not been restricting my food intake. I was in the normal range for BMI before getting pregnant, and I've gained 18 pounds so far this pregnancy, which is an appropriate amount according to the calculators I have found online.

We listened to the baby on the doppler - her heart rate was in the 140s. And the OB measured my fundal height, but didn't tell me the measurement (and I didn't ask).

In terms of the gestational diabetes, the plan is for me to see a nutritionist for now. They also drew an A1C level to see how my glucose levels have been over the past three months. She wants me to monitor my blood levels fasting and 1 or 2 hours after each meal. If my diet is consistent and my levels are consistently low, she may drop some of the finger sticks. I am also supposed to see a nutritionist, pronto, to get advice on how to manage my diet. Once the OB heard what my blood levels have been at home, though, she said she was very reassured and that she suspects I will do quite well and be able to control things by watching my food choices.

She also said we will begin non-stress tests at 32 weeks to keep a close eye on the baby. She said that between the gestational diabetes and my coagulation issues, she will not let me go past dates, preferring to induce me if I get to 40 weeks with no baby in sight. Not what I will be hoping for, but I'm not really interested in going past dates either.

Here are the actual numbers from the 3 hour oral glucose challenge test (far right column). Interestingly, all of the lab values are lower than what my finger sticks were showing. Still really elevated, mind you (except for the fasting level), but lower. So that's good to take into account when I'm drawing my bloods and trying to make sense of the numbers going forward.

TIME OF SAMPLE COLLECTION	AMERICAN CONGRESS OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS (ACOG) TARGET LEVELs	MO’S LEVELS ACCORDING TO HER GLUCOMETER	MO’S LEVELS ACCORDING TO venipuncture lab values
	Glucose load: Samples drawn after 100-gram glucose drink
Fasting (prior to glucose load)	< 95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L)	95-102 mg/dL	88 mg/dL
1 hour after glucose load	< 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L)	233 mg/dL	219 mg/dL
2 hours after glucose load	< 155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)	225 mg/dL	199 mg/dL
3 hours after glucose load	< 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)	176-184 mg/dL	145 mg/dL
Results interpretation	If TWO or more values meet or exceed the target level, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

So that's it for now. Still processing this new reality, but it seems like a very manageable one. It's a little bit of an ego blow - I'm usually such a good test taker! But I have to remember this isn't a test I could study for and pass. It's not up to me. It's my body and Magpie's placenta calling the shots here.

Thank you again for all of your comments and stories about your own situations - it's been an invaluable help and made me feel so much better about this!

Mo

One reason why we'll be keeping a close eye on things!

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