“Do you have rabies?”

First glucose test at 24 weeks= passed with flying colors

Second glucose test at 28 weeks= failed by a couple points

My doctor recommended using one of the arm monitors to track my glucose levels rather than doing the 3 hour glucose test. They said it would give a better picture of an insulin issues which is good because our girl is measuring a little big. I happily accepted this option and started tracking my numbers. I did not want to do the 3 hour test because I knew I would end up vomiting from fasting and then having those drinks which would ruin the test and I’d have to do it again. The arm monitor was painless and connected to an app on my phone.

I went to work with it the next day and didn’t even notice it, until I was working one on one with a student in writing class. He began staring at me with this look of concern. He finally says, “Do you have rabies?” While staring at my arm. I hold in my laughter and ask, “Do you mean diabetes?” He shook his head yes and started telling me about a kid on his sports team that wears one of these things too.

Anyway, the first few days were all out of wack. The monitor wasn’t working correctly and my numbers were dipping into SUPER low readings like 45 which were obviously wrong. I’d have been incoherent and needing an ambulance if they were true. I however was walking to the fridge to get a yogurt or something cursing out the app because it kept beeping that I was in the danger zone and needed to act fast. So in combination with traditional finger prick tests, we were able to get more accurate readings which ultimately led to a gestational diabetes diagnosis.

GD is the perfect abbreviation because my first thought was, “God dammit!” Did I need another hurdle in this journey to bringing our girl home? Absolutely not. However, I will do whatever I have to do to ensure her safety and well being. Taking carbs and sugars away from a pregnant lady just seems cruel, but it is what it is I guess.

Michael did a lot of research and found foods and recipes that we could try so I could avoid needing medications to control the glucose levels. I’m not going to lie, it is tough. There are rules I didn’t even think would matter! Like yogurt and fruit are healthy, right? Apparently not between the hours of 7pm and 11am. Gluten free pizza should be safe, right? Wrong! My numbers spiked higher than they did when I had a honey bun the first week. The hardest part is feeling full. The first week or so I was so hungry. Even 30 minutes after leaving the dinner table, I felt sick and my tummy grumbled. It wasn’t as easy as just going to the cabinet and grabbing something though. My stomach started to feel a bit like it did in the first trimester with aversions. The thought of trying to fill up on celery with peanut butter or eating more meat from dinner made me just want to avoid eating all together. If I couldn’t have a bagel or something that I knew would satiate me, I didn’t want it.

We did a LOT more research to find some more options because our small menu of OK foods was not going to cut it. We found the Kodiak brand that is high protein oatmeal, waffles, and “bread” type things. We found some protein bars that actually tasted good. We got some lentil pasta and a bunch of other stuff that felt more appetizing than meat and vegetables for everything. It got easier, manageable to an extent. I still get hungry often and am working with a nutritionist through my high risk doctor to find things that work for me. I have actually lost 6+ lbs in just a week or so from changing my diet. The doctors aren’t concerned yet, but the next appointment will measure baby better and see if my weight has gone up, down, or maintained. This will help them know if all is well.

All in all, I’m doing my best. Michael is being a rockstar in the kitchen making a bunch of stuff for me and getting me snacks whenever I’m hungry. It’s only temporary, even if it feels like each day is a battle. I have worked really hard to get good numbers and most days it pays off. All I know is that when this girl comes out, I’m gonna eat all the cookies and cakes!