Thursday, August 11, 2011

More Hurdles Jumped!

IVF is alot like a hurdle race. At the beginning, you are standing at the starting line looking at all the hurdles you need to jump - starting your meds - the transfer - the first beta - the second beta - the first ultrasound - the shopping for maternity clothes...the list goes on and on.

One hurdle that's been looming in the distance and getting closer week-by-week was my GTT test to check for gestational diabetes. I just assumed it would come back not looking so great because:

1. Sugar to me is like crack cocaine. No matter how hard I try to resist it, the temptation of candy is too great. I can pass up chips, cake or chocolate, but put me in a room with a bowl of jelly beans and I am a weakling.

2. Because I've had nausea, I've been carb loading. For example, a couple days last week, the only thing I could stomach eating for breakfast was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I've also been fond of pasta, sandwiches on thick bread (like ciabatta), and ginger snaps.

3. Before I got pregnant, due to the stress of the last couple years, I was carrying 40-50 lbs of extra weight - so my blood sugar was on the high side to begin with.

4. My dad is a Type I diabetic.

5. I've been thirsty lately and my heels and lips are cracked and dry - two signs of diabetes.

I just assumed that when it came time to do the GTT test, I would fail miserably. To my surprise, my blood sugar came back around 108 - so it's just fine!!! In addition, my cervix is low and closed (over 4 cm) and there are none of the early warning signs of pre-term labor. This doesn't guarantee I will carry to term, but it's all good news! My weight didn't even change between last month and this month - which I don't understand at all, because my tummy has definitely grown.

Again, the nausea has gotten better, but the heartburn has gotten worse. The TUMS are no longer cutting it, but I read that some cures are:

1. Drinking a glass of milk before bed
2. Sucking on starlight mints
3. Eating Hot Tamales candies

Oh, the uncomfortable side-effects us women will endure to have babies...good thing we're not men!

6 comments:

Frankie Bee said...

That is great news! Yay for not having to count carbs during your pregnancy!

bunintheovenplease! said...

In case it helps you - I found that I have Really bad heart burn if I eat out - or consume anything with sinthetic sweateners - but never if i eat home cooked food - i think it's the cooking fats they use.
So glad to hear that all is gong so well!

Jenny Wren said...

Great analogy -- congrats on clearing another hurdle like the superstar you are! I'm so glad you're not having to deal with GD - that's one hurdle that's been removed from the track. You're in the home stretch now! Hope you find some relief from the heartburn soon.

Anonymous said...

I love that analogy too! Hey...if the heartburn gets bad...get some relief. Get a pg safe heartburn prescription!! Seriously...tums almost makes it worse. I am sure Iveta will tell you all about it!!

FG said...

Everyone - Thanks for your comments and the tips!

Unknown said...

Good to get caught up after being away. SOOOOO glad everything looks so good for you. HUGE relief on the diabetes front!

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