Sunday, January 1, 2012

Gestational Diabetes



Before we left on our vacation to Michigan for Thanksgiving, I took the 1 hour glucose test and failed it. No biggie, I figured, a lot of people fail it and pass the 3 hour test. So at 30 weeks (two weeks later than I should have due to the trip), I took the 3 hour test. And felt awful the whole time. Between wanting to puke and getting my blood drawn 4 separate times, I was ready to sprint out of that lab. And then I got the call the next day (while at MOPS), that I did indeed have gestational diabetes.

Basically, in women who have GD, hormones from the placenta block the action of the mother's insulin in her body (insulin resistance). This makes it harder for the mama to use the insulin. GD starts when your body isn't able to make (and use) enough insulin it needs. Without the insulin, the glucose cannot be changed to energy and builds up in the blood to high levels.

Now you know, should you ever need to. :) At first, I was STRESSED. Like, seriously stressed about it. Because my midwife wanted me to be monitored for two weeks by an endocrinologist to make sure I could control my blood sugar levels and if you remember, we are paying out of pocket for everything. I felt like we had gambled and lost. We gambled that we'd have a normal, healthy pregnancy and that no crazy high expenses would arise.

Thankfully, we were able to convince my midwife that I didn't need to be monitored and that I was confident I could do it on my own. A nurse came to our house and taught me how to take my blood sugar four times a day with a glucometer and what my new diet would consist of. My midwife (so far) as been really happy with how I'm doing and how low I'm keeping my sugars. Whew. I was praying I wouldn't have to go on insulin, that I'd be able to control it by diet alone.

But honestly? I truly see this diagnosis as a blessing. A huge blessing. It's forcing me to eat healthy. To be conscious of what I eat (especially during the holidays). I haven't gained one pound since I was diagnosed. I'm sure I will as the baby gets larger towards the end, but right now, I'm encouraged! The diet is like, super duper strict. So that's hard, but I have snuck a few double dipped chocolate covered peanuts from the south bend chocolate company here and there and it hasn't effected anything so that's good. :)

So maybe you'll get some bad news in the 2012. But maybe that bad news will end up being a blessing to you. God is good. Stay encouraged.



35 weeks. St. Anthony Hotel- San Antonio, TX

12 comments:

Lacey said...

Hey, Chae!

#1. Love the picture. You look beautiful!

#2. You know we are intimately acquainted with diabetes (though not the gestational variety). Hang in there! I'm encouraged that you only have 5 more weeks (at the most) to deal with it. And I'm thankful that you don't have to rely on insulin shots. AND I'm thankful that you have such a grateful composure about you. What a godly example of how to handle a difficult situation!

Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Love this post, Chaeli!

And thanks for the update, I'll keep praying for you & your little guy.

I feel like God's grace is so evident when we find out we can live through things we really don't want to live through.. And He's got it covered. :)

Love you!

P.S. I totally agree with Lacey :)

Anonymous said...

Love this post, Chaeli!

And thanks for the update, I'll keep praying for you & your little guy.

I feel like God's grace is so evident when we find out we can live through things we really don't want to live through.. And He's got it covered. :)

Love you!

P.S. I totally agree with Lacey :)

Trisha said...

Your profile pic is beautiful! (It actually looks like a profile of Megan :) I can't believe you only have a few weeks left! Praying for you and the little guy!

Erin Zubert said...

Love this picture Chaeli! You are gorgeous!

Jennifer said...

Such a pretty maternity picture! I wish I had had my picture taken more when I was pregnant.

Jennifer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie said...

Chaeli,
You look so cute! I can't believe you're so close to having your baby already- time flies! (At least it does to the non-pregnant girl looking in).

We should make sure to have a phone date at least once more before the new little guy comes!

Miss ya!
Katie

Meaghan said...

You are a wonderful example in how you are handling this, sis! I'm so thankful with you! and you look great! can't wait to meet the lil guy :D

Chaeli said...

You guys.
Thanks for the encouragement and kind words. It means the world.

-Chaeli

C said...

Way to go, Chaeli! I am so impressed with your attitude about the GD.
And that picture is amazing!

Alicia said...

I just found your blog! I love it! Gorgeous picture and I love what you said about it being a blessing! GD wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be either!