Bright and early this morning I went to the lab to get tested for gestational diabetes. The first fasting blood sugar test that I had was within normal limits but it was toeing the line for unacceptable. Dr. J just wanted to check me a little early just in case I have developed it.
Blah. I really hope that I don't and I am kinda nervous. If I do then this changes my plans of giving birth in Brazil. Of course people manage with it and most of the time everything is ok but the NICU nurse in me cannot forget.
The test involved me fasting for 8 hrs, just overnight while I slept, then getting blood drawn. Once the fasting glucose is taken then I am required to drink a high sugar drink that they provide for you. Then I have to wait two hours and have my blood drawn again. It shows how wells my system tolerates the high sugar. If the sugar remains in my blood in high amounts then I could possibly be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
For those of you who don't know the complications of gestational diabetes and the risks to the baby, here they are: Mom doesn't produce enough insulin to cover the amount of sugar in her body. The baby then receives that extra sugar via the placenta. Even if I was able to give myself supplemental insulin it will not cross the placenta for the baby. The baby is able to produce their own insulin naturally so they do.
So the possible side effects to the baby, if I cannot manage my blood sugar through diet, are: baby gets tons of sugar, gains tons of weight, and gets used to over producing insulin. When the baby is born sometimes, most of the time, the over production of insulin causes the baby to have a sugar crash. This can be extremely dangerous if not taken care of immediately. These babies tend to have trouble wanting to eat, even though you would think the opposite, and generally have to be supplemented either by tube feedings or IV in extreme cases. Basically these babies are taken straight to NICU for at least 6 hours for monitoring.
So, if the test results tomorrow come back positive the first thing I am going to ask my doctor for is another test just to confirm. If it really is true then I will have to begin preparations to return home to have the baby. Having the baby in Brazil really isn't an option for me with this complication.
To be honest I really don't want to have to come home to the States to have the baby. I will obviously do what ever is necessary but idealistically I would like to stay here. Well, no use worrying about something I don't have but I just needed to express my plan if things do go array. I feel better now. Tomorrow the results will be in around lunch time for all of you. Think of me and Belle and say a little prayer, or a big one!!
Baby bump pics to come :)
Tchau,
Sara