Tests and More Tests

July was a month of tests and blood draws.  Earlier in the month, I had the gestational diabetes screening.  The test involved drinking a glucose cocktail, which is basically 10 fl. oz. of pure sugar water, flavored to taste like fruit punch.  As happy as I was that it wasn't grape flavored, the drink was still absolutely gross. I had to wait for about an hour before they drew my blood. Aside from testing my glucose levels, that day, they also did some thyroid testing. 

Unfortunately, we received a call from the doctor the next day that neither tests came back within the desired ranges :(  My glucose level came back just slightly high and the TSH levels for my thyroid were about .08 off the standard value - showing signs of hyperthyroidism.

Being the worry wart/freak that I am, I instantly began Googling everything I could -- even though EVERYONE kept telling me to stop.  I just wanted to know how all of this was going to affect the baby.  Of course, everything you read online is always worse case scenario!  

Thankfully the scheduler was able to get me in the following day to do the actual 3-hour diabetes testing, so we could at least get one thing figured out.  I would still have to wait 2 weeks before I was able to get in with the endocrinologist for my thyroid.

I didn't think it was possible but the glucose cocktail for the 3-hour testing was even nastier than the first drink. At about the end of hour one, I seriously thought it was going to come back up.  It took everything I had to keep it down, especially with the knowledge that if I threw it up, I would have to come back another day and start all over again. Over the course of 3 hours, they drew my blood every hour, on the hour.  Have I ever mentioned that I HATE needles?  I felt like every hour was just a countdown to the next time I had to get poked, I'm a wuss, I know. And I also knew that if I failed, I would most likely have to begin poking myself daily.

Luckily, my doctor is aware of my anxiety and worrying issues and posted my results online that night via MyChart.  It was a great relief reading that I did not have gestational diabetes. 

Last week, I finally got in with the endocrinologist.  Since thyroid disorders (hyper and hypo) run deep in my family I brought my mom, thank goodness for this women because I don't know what I would do without her!

After some further testing, they found that my T3 & T4 levels are exactly where they want them to be, which is very good for the baby.  It appears as though my TSH level (which is the brain function part of it all) is still a little bit off.  However, the doctor thinks that it is gradually starting to regulate and is just taking a bit longer than most people.  They want to retest all the levels again in 4 weeks, however, right now the off levels do not pose any risks to the baby.

Through the past 3 weeks, we are beyond grateful for the people we have in our lives.  I know that our problems are nothing compared to what some other's are fighting or going through in their lives, but I was still very scared.  Being lucky enough to have the people we have to listen, get advice/wisdom from and share our fears with, made us realize even more just how fortunate we really are. 

Love,

Christina

How far a long? 30 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? A couple
Sleep: Only up a few times a night
Best moment this week the past couple weeks : Getting through all the tests
Miss Anything? Being able to do things as quickly as before

Movement: Oh yeah!
Food cravings: Subway, LOL
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: Yes, every much so!
Labor Signs: Not yet
Belly Button in or out? Just about out

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, but I have a feeling we'll need a temporary replacement soon

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!
Looking forward to: Celebrating my Mom's 50th birthday :)