Posted in Pregnancy

This week I went to the lab to drink my glucola have my blood drawn for the routine glucose screening, which I've always passed with no problem.  Until now.  This was probably the worst overall experience I've had with the test - a 20 minute wait to get the drink, told to drink it in 5 minutes and let them know (which I did), wait an hour for it to have it's effect, and then wait 20 more minutes for them to decide it had been an hour since I finished the drink and time to draw my blood (though I told them 2 or 3 times that I was due to have my blood drawn).  Then the lab tech drawing my blood tells me that I took my time drinking it, and the measure the time from when I finish it rather than when I start.  I know I didn't take 25 minutes to drink that bottle!

I got the call this morning from the OB's office, letting me know the results were a little high.  If they had drawn the blood on time, it would likely have been higher.  They want me to go for the 3-hour fasting glucose tolerance test to see if I have gestational diabetes.  I'm considering refusing this test, figuring my body's been through enough, and I've read stories about ill effects from the test and women even passing out after drinking the glucola on an empty stomach. 

Instead my husband and I are talking about simply modifying my diet to eliminate sugar and other high-carb foods, possibly going back to the Zone diet I followed awhile back which is actually designed to help regulate blood sugar levels. 

I've been doing research on the internet about gestational diabetes and have found that MDChoice has the most complete and understandable article out there on the topic.  I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to control my blood sugar through my diet, but I'm not sure about the doctor and midwives allowing me to do so without continuing to test me for gestational diabetes.  However, I believe I know the risks and am well-informed and equipped to make wise decisions with my food choices to keep my babies and myself healthy.