Since we last checked in there have been some updates. BC and I took a trip to Texas for Thanksgiving and a baby shower. It was a wonderful time and so nice to see my family. Everyone gave BC a rub like she was Budha and sent her well wishes. The week went by too quickly. I flew down alone and met up with Jason in Corpus Christi. At the time, he was just finishing flight school in San Diego. Unfortunately, I was ill the whole week with a cold. However; Thanksgiving was just as I remembered: happy and very full! The baby shower was absolutely beautiful! I had an opportunity to see family members and friends that I hadn't seen in a while. The day after Thanksgiving I happily returned to my pets and maternity pillow...again. A few days after my arrival, Jason also finally returned home. It was the best feeling in the world: to be together again.
While I was in Texas, I received a call from the OBGYN nurse who reported that my blood sugar was elevated. So, when I returned to Beaufort, I scheduled the dreaded 3 hour blood glucose test. Basically, you drink orange soda and sit there for three hours. The lab tech takes your blood every hour to read your blood glucose levels. Before this test, a person must go on a special diet for three days prior. The whole process really wasn't too bad. The next day ,I received a phone call to notify me that in fact I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Of course, I googled everything I could and scheduled my necessary appointments. I met a nutrionist who gave all the information I could ever want on carbohydrates, fiber, nutrition labels, etc. Most of the information was already known to me, but I thought I had been given a free pass now that I was pregnant. Limiting my carb intake? I'm suppose to get BIG. That has not been the case. I then picked up my prescription which included a glucometer. Yes, that gadget that pokes your finger for "diabeetus" as the old man says in that famous commercial. I poke my finger 4 times a day to read my blood sugar. It's not fun at all. There is also the diet change and carb counting. I have a food log and blood sugar log.Now, my schedule revolves around my food intake and making sure I have three snacks and three meals, document that, and test blood sugar two hours later. The doctor said that there is no explanation why I am one of the 4% of women who are diagnosed with the disease. He said he would typically expect to see a woman who had gained a lot of weight during their pregnancy to have this diagnosis. I have only lost weight. Also, my measurments are right on track. Otherwise, everything is perfect and he said there is nothing I could have done to prevent the diagnosis. Since my levels continue to be elevated he said that even if I were to eat the strictest diet I would have had the same prognosis. If there is a silver lining, it is that it goes away after delivery and the baby and myself will be just fine with intervention. Also, I will have another ultrasound on Dec. 29th to make sure she isn't too big. I'm anxious to see her at nearly 31 weeks and Jason will be able to finally see her too.
We are finally nearing the last ten weeks and the single digits. Soon, we'll be counting the days! She continues to re-decorate her space and I feel it more than ever before. I woke up this morning and looked at my belly and could see which side she was sleeping on: right side. I'm at a point in pregnancy where she is moving at least 30 times an hour. Most times she responds to touch. Anytime I lay a hand on my belly she moves and kicks that spot. It's almost like she is telling me "hands off, please." Jason receives just the opposite. The baby almost never moves once he places his hand on my belly. Sometimes she is really going and I tell him to feel her and then she is calm the minute he touches her. I hope this calming efffect continues outside the womb so I know where to pass the crying babe.
We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and we'll see you next year!
