Week 27: Glucose testing 1, 2, 3

A couple of weeks ago I walked into the lab with a doctor’s order in hand for a one-hour glucose screening test. I chugged the sugary lime drink provided by the tech and waited patiently for one hour before having my blood drawn. After that, I didn’t really think much of it, as my doctor seemed to down play the likelihood of it being an issue for me. A few days after the test, with a lovely bruise still present on my arm, I got a call from my doctor’s office explaining that my blood sugar level had come back a bit too high. My heart sunk as the nurse on the other end informed me that I’d have to go back for the three-hour glucose test.
From the moment I hung up the phone my mind started racing. Am I doing something wrong? What did the findings of the first test mean? What will the three-hour test be like? Does this mean I have gestational diabetes? If so, what will that mean for my health, or more importantly, the baby’s health? By not passing that first test I felt that I was somehow already failing as a mother. I immediately took to researching all I could about these glucose tests and gestational diabetes to find out what—if anything—I could do to fix this and what happens next.
During the weeks in between the first and second glucose test, I found out from several women in my life that failing that first test is actually very common. This gave me some relief. Not only was I not some sort of pregnancy failure, but I still had hope that I might pass the second test. The more I thought about it, the more I calmed myself down. Even if (knock on wood) I didn’t pass the second test, there is still a bright side. At least we would know what to do to make sure baby and I stay in good health, and when it comes down to it, there are a lot worse things that could happen. Other than a slightly higher than normal blood sugar level, everything has been moving along as it should during this pregnancy. For that, I am thankful and will do my best to remain positive.
As I write this, I’m sitting in the waiting room at the lab, in between my second and third blood samples of the three-hour glucose test. I’m a little nauseated and have a tiny headache, no doubt from drinking that concentrated sugary beverage on an empty stomach. Halfway through and I’m feeling optimistic, if simply for the fact that I’m getting this nuisance over with. In a few days my doctor will get the results, and I won’t have to wonder anymore. Either way, I’ll know what’s going on with my body and what I need to do moving forward. As with every crazy bodily change that comes with this pregnancy, I know it will all be worth it in the end.