The 3 Hour Test...

I received an update Friday, a day after I took my initial 1 hr glucose from the lab providing my results.  The range is basically anything below 140, means not gestational diabetic (GD) anything above 190 means automatically GD.  I fell right at 160.  👎🥴 

I did some research and was hopeful that because I was still below 190, there is still a good possibility that I would be able to pass the 3 hr test.  I've only had to take it once before...and I remember it being pretty yucky.  Not just the whole being poked in each arm twice within hours, but having an empty stomach, then filling it with syrup🤢🤮.  At this point, rather than get too worked up about something I really can't change...I decided to just wait until I heard back from the doctor's office.  

4 days later, (Tuesday) the doctor's office called and my nurse let me know that I had failed the 1 hr test and would be required to come back in for the 3 hr test.  She let me know that I needed to come back in this week, no appointment necessary, but I would need to fast for 12 hours before (water was allowed) and be to the office by 8:30am.  

She said they would take my blood when I arrived, to get my fasting level.  Then they would give me 100ml 10oz glucose drink this time and draw my blood every 1 hour for 3 hours.  She let me know that if I failed two hours out of the three, I would be considered GD and would also begin to see a high risk specialist, in addition to Dr. F. 

She also let me know that my iron levels were at a 9.9 and she recommended that I begin taking iron supplements.

So now armed with this information I decided to find ways to increase my dietary fiber and my protein (since I don't eat meat).  

I found some food recipe for some smoothies, which I began making in the morning before work.  I put some almond milk, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, apples, banana, lime, spinach, protein powder, and flax seed.  I figured it had to be a little healthier than a handful of cereal😜.

I also started eating some Greek yogurt, with a handful of granola for lunch and some crackers and cheese and pistachios for snacks.  Probably too little too late...but I figure it can't hurt, right?!

Well...Friday arrived and I followed the protocol to a T.  Fasted, arrived, gave blood...4 times and stayed as optimistic as I could😃👍

The phlebotomist let me know I would get my results from the lab most likely on Monday, and let me know that if I failed two of the three or all three, I would have to go on "The Diet".  🤷🏼‍♀️🫤. 

The diet?  I'm not sure what that is...but for someone who lives primarily off of carbs, doesn't sound good!  I have known a few diabetics in my life, but not close enough to really understand what they have to do...and I think it's different when your diet just impacts you versus two little people's health that are also relying on your choices.

So, although I'm exhausted and feeling pretty crummy at the moment, I'm staying optimistic and positive that my body will do what it needs to do...and if I fail, because I check every box that makes me high risk (over 35, overweight, and carrying twins), then I will cross that bridge when I come to it🥴.

***Update Saturday afternoon I received the results from the lab.  I failed both the first and second hour tests. My blood sugar level didn't drop until before the third hour.  Soooo...I'm going to be considered GD, required to see a specialist, and will be be put on "The Diet".  I'm not sure what it will consist of but I'm choosing to stay positive.  I can do hard things, I already am going without foods I enjoy, so I'll just add a few more things to the list 🤷🏼‍♀️🥴.  It's only 3 more months.  I can do this...whatever it is.  So for now I'll wait until I get scheduled for an appointment where they can give me the exact details of what my new diet should consist of, instead of just speculating and expecting the worst. 🫤🥰

23rd Week...time for Glucose Testing

Welp, I survived my glucose test this morning!  Let's hope it comes back in the normal range 🤞🤞🥴.

Fruit Punch flavored...yumm🤮

Since I've been pregnant 6 times prior...I'm no stranger to these annoying, yet understandably necessary glucose tests.  With my others however, I remember them sending it home with you the appointment prior to save and drink from home on the morning of the test (since you have to be fasting) then come in and get your blood drawn.  Not anymore.  I guess the honor system is no longer honorable 😜🤷🏼‍♀️.

Anyway, when I arrived at my appointment the nurse gave me two options of glucose flavors.  Fruit punch or orange?  Knowing what I'm about to consume will taste nothing close to good...I go for the fruit punch.  She then shares that I need to drink the entire contents within 3 minutes and then once complete, I need to set a timer for 60 minutes on my phone to let me know when it was time to walk to the lab for my 1 hr glucose check.

Okay so once the drink goes down (surprisingly not as horrible as I anticipated) it's time to be called back for the ultrasound portion.

As you can guess these babies are moving around a ton in there, hyped up on that glucose syrup 😜! The ultrasound tech started with Baby A (girl)...she was active and kicking around the entire time.  She is in a head down position currently with her feet up top...and apparently from what we saw, kicking her brother (Baby B) in the head!  Poor babies, it looks so squishy in there!

Her heart rate was in the 140s which is lower than it has been in all previous ultrasounds, but the doctor assured us that it's still within the normal range and even though she only has a two vessel cord, her weight was measuring a little above average...at 1lb 4 oz.  

Here are some of her beauty shots below 👇:

Since she's head down and closest to my cervix, it's a lot harder to get a clear 3D photo...he also said she's so active, it makes it really hard for a clear picture!

Next was Baby B's (Boy) turn.  He is currently sitting in a breech position, feet down, head up.  Which now makes a lot of the movements and bumps I feel...make a lot more sense! 🤣

Baby B's heart rate was also in the 140s, he was very active in returning those kicks and jabs to his sister.  He is slightly bigger, weighing in at 1lb 6oz, which is also a little ahead of the average😊

Here are some of his handsome shots below 👇:

This last one you can see Baby A's feet in it!  It's amazing to see just how close they are and how they interact with each other.  Literally when one kicks you see the other move!  They are slowly running out of room, which makes me feel for these little guys!  I'm sure their growth will slow soon...but for now we are so happy that they are healthy and seemingly very happy so far!

As for me... Heartburn has surpasses headaches for the #1 source of pain spot. 😜 I've really had to start altering my diet to avoid onions, tomatoes, and any type of sour or spicy foods.  I've also made it so my larger meals are eaten earlier in the day.  It seems to help for the most part, but man..it can be brutal!

Other than food aversions to avoid heartburn, I really have been feeling a lot better overall!  I'm not too uncomfortable yet, but definitely bigger than a single pregnancy would be at this time.  

The doctor gave me an A+ rating for my pregnancy so far.  I've gained a total of 10lbs this pregnancy (3lbs this month) and my blood pressure is looking good at 128/82.  (Still high for me, but they seem to very happy with it!)

The doctor warned me that twins will give me an increased chance of not passing my glucose test...so to mentally prepare just in case. 🤞🤞 I'm really hoping I won't have to go through this again.  Wish me luck! 🍀