I got the pregnancy sugars and my level is way above the benchmark.
I had my oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on my 24th week and the result is not encouraging at all. I was diagnosed to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It is my first pregnancy and it seemed like I have ALL the conditions with fancy medical terms - hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and now gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). I have never had the most hospital trips in my life before compared to this year. I have never had the most number of needle pricks in my entire life either. I say I am generally healthy except for the occasional colds, cough and fever.
I was a little hesitant to undergo the test but decided to push through anyway. I kept on thinking that I am doing all these for the sake of our baby's health (not so much for myself to be honest). I was asked to fast for at least 8 hours before the first blood sample will be drawn from me. After the blood was drawn out, I was asked to drink the super sugary orange-flavored beverage within 5 minutes. It wasn't so bad, I kinda liked it but yes it was undeniably sweet. I was then asked to come back after an hour so the second blood sample can be drawn out. After the second sample was drawn, I started to feel nauseous and really about to throw up. I was determined not to throw up because then I have to repeat the entire process. Good thing my husband came to the hospital with me. I leaned on his shoulders and closed my eyes and battled with my gag reflex. Next thing I know, it was time to take the third blood sample. After the sample was drawn out, I threw up all the beverage. It was still orange, same color like what I drank 2 hours ago. I quite had the inkling that my body never processed the beverage.
What is gestational diabetes mellitus?
Gestational diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. When you have diabetes, there is too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. GDM can also lead to health problems for the mother and the baby during and after pregnancy.
After discussing my OGTT test results and all the possible effects during and after pregnancy with my endocrinologist, I was really scared. I'm deeply concerned of my daughter's health and well-being. I would not want her to develop diabetes and worst I don't want to lose her before she even sees the outside world. My doctor told me that there's a risk of the pregnancy to terminate even at 32 weeks. I know this is something serious and that I have to take this seriously.
I was asked to monitor my blood sugar level before breakfast, an hour after breakfast, an hour after lunch, an hour after dinner and before bedtime. I was also advised to see a dietitian who would help me create a meal plan to follow and then go back to the doctor again after a week.
I am now mid-week into testing my blood sugar and I don't understand why it fluctuates so much. I can't wait for the week to be over so I can go back to my doctor and have her interpret my results. I would not want to go on medication (insulin shots) but looks like I am leaning that way. For now, all I could do is to pray and pray and pray some more for my baby daughter's health.
Have you had experience with gestational diabetes while pregnant?
I had my oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on my 24th week and the result is not encouraging at all. I was diagnosed to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It is my first pregnancy and it seemed like I have ALL the conditions with fancy medical terms - hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and now gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). I have never had the most hospital trips in my life before compared to this year. I have never had the most number of needle pricks in my entire life either. I say I am generally healthy except for the occasional colds, cough and fever.
I was a little hesitant to undergo the test but decided to push through anyway. I kept on thinking that I am doing all these for the sake of our baby's health (not so much for myself to be honest). I was asked to fast for at least 8 hours before the first blood sample will be drawn from me. After the blood was drawn out, I was asked to drink the super sugary orange-flavored beverage within 5 minutes. It wasn't so bad, I kinda liked it but yes it was undeniably sweet. I was then asked to come back after an hour so the second blood sample can be drawn out. After the second sample was drawn, I started to feel nauseous and really about to throw up. I was determined not to throw up because then I have to repeat the entire process. Good thing my husband came to the hospital with me. I leaned on his shoulders and closed my eyes and battled with my gag reflex. Next thing I know, it was time to take the third blood sample. After the sample was drawn out, I threw up all the beverage. It was still orange, same color like what I drank 2 hours ago. I quite had the inkling that my body never processed the beverage.
What is gestational diabetes mellitus?
Gestational diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. When you have diabetes, there is too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. GDM can also lead to health problems for the mother and the baby during and after pregnancy.
- Before birth, the baby will likely grow bigger than usual/normal. This could make giving birth more difficult and would be more likely through caesarian delivery (C-section).
- The baby may be at risk for childhood obesity after birth.
- The mother may be at risk to develop Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
After discussing my OGTT test results and all the possible effects during and after pregnancy with my endocrinologist, I was really scared. I'm deeply concerned of my daughter's health and well-being. I would not want her to develop diabetes and worst I don't want to lose her before she even sees the outside world. My doctor told me that there's a risk of the pregnancy to terminate even at 32 weeks. I know this is something serious and that I have to take this seriously.
I was asked to monitor my blood sugar level before breakfast, an hour after breakfast, an hour after lunch, an hour after dinner and before bedtime. I was also advised to see a dietitian who would help me create a meal plan to follow and then go back to the doctor again after a week.
I am now mid-week into testing my blood sugar and I don't understand why it fluctuates so much. I can't wait for the week to be over so I can go back to my doctor and have her interpret my results. I would not want to go on medication (insulin shots) but looks like I am leaning that way. For now, all I could do is to pray and pray and pray some more for my baby daughter's health.
Have you had experience with gestational diabetes while pregnant?
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