If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I was absolutely not looking forward to having my glucose tolerance test at 27 weeks pregnant. Since I’ve never been pregnant before, there was only one reason why I was nervous about it… all the horror stories that I had heard.
People vomiting the sweet drink up and having to drink more. The drink being so sweet and disgusting. Waiting an hour was torture and the list goes on and on. Needless to say, all this hype made me concerned about the test.
You should know that the glucose tolerance test is not at all bad. I would say that the worst part (for me since many of you were able to eat/drink prior to it) was that I couldn’t have any food or water from midnight last night and on. I missed having water more than I did food, although around 830am I was pretty damn hungry!
My appointment was at 830am and when the orange drink (glucola) was brought to me (chilled), I just gulped it down. Many of you said that that was the way to do it and I totally agree. It had to have been no more than 8oz of drink, so really, it’s not bad at all. Plus, I was so thirsty that I really didn’t mind it.
Yes, it’s sweet, but not overly like I expected. It tasted like the Sunkist orange drink minus the carbonation. A breeze, I tell you!
Luckily after I drank the glucola I had my regular scheduled appointment. The belly is measuring a good 28 weeks from the outside and the little babe’s heartbeat was around 150 bpm. It sounded awesome and it’s something that I look forward to each time. At first I was probably so shocked that I was even with child and it didn’t really sink in as to what exactly I was hearing.
Now I can’t help but smile and look at my husband, who is also smiling. It’s just great!
I was up 3 pounds like past month and the nurse actually said “That’s great, you’re doing good!” It’s so funny to me to be congratulated (almost) for gaining weight.
I did talk to my OB about my anxiety because it’s just not getting better. In fact, it’s probably getting a bit worse and I think there’s a serious issue when I don’t sleep at night and check to make sure that the alarm is on like 10 times at night, even though I hear Tarzan turn it on. So strange.
Immediately what I liked is that she didn’t rush out to write me a prescription. I’m not one for popping pills for all occasion, so it was nice to hear her thoughts on my anxiety.
First, she said that it is normal and could be the extra hormones, or even something from my childhood that is resurfacing. This is really interesting because when I was little I was so afraid of some of the same things that I feel anxiety about now. Weird, huh?
She said that I should learn how to meditate and get to a “safe” place where I know that I’ve done all I can to protect myself and the little babe. She said that it’s important to realize that there are some things out of my control and getting freaked out about them isn’t going to make anything better. Very true.
She said to come up with a phrase or two that I can repeat over and over and combine that with deep breathing. Or I could even imagine myself in some kind of plexiglass bubble with a door and I allow each thought I want to come in the door. Everything else stays outside of my bubble. I know this sounds extremely cheesy, but the thing is that I’m willing to try and do anything first before having to resort to medicine.
I’m a firm believer in mind over matter and controlling my thoughts, but the problem is that I fall victim to my thinking all of the time. I just can’t wrap my mind around conquering thoughts that freak me out. Oh, I wish I was like my husband in this case. He’s a pro at doing this.
Anyways, I need to look for a “meditation for dummies” kind of book that will teach me step-by-step on what to focus on and how to do it. If you have any suggestions, I welcome them with open arms!
She also said that if I couldn’t learn how to do this to the point where I feel better, I could trey to take a Benadryl or two at night to hopefully put me in a deeper sleep so that my thoughts don’t keep me up at night and freak me out. She said that Benadryl is absolutely fine to take daily, so there’s another option even.
She wants me to call her in 2 weeks to let her know how I’m doing. If I’m doing better, great. If these above ideas don’t seem to be doing it for me, she would recommend something like Prozac. Now, before you jump all over me about Prozac, just know that I have reservations about this too, but if it means that I’m in a better place for myself and the baby, it just might be worth it!
After my appointment was over, Tarzan and I hopped on the elevator and went to get my blood drawn. The phlebotomist was awesome and I didn’t feel a thing when she drew my blood!
Once we left the professional building, Tarzan and I went out to breakfast. It was so yummy!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I pass this test because I don’t want to have to do the 3 hour one. I hope to find out the results this week, so keep your fingers (and toes) crossed for me too!
Oh and if your glucose tolerance test is coming up soon, don’t fret. Really. The worst thing is that you might be hungry or thirsty, but the drink isn’t bad at all.
You might also want to read:
- And I passed the glucose tolerance test!
- Glucose 1 hour test when pregnant: To fast or not to fast?
- 23 weeks pregnant: Doctor appointment today
- 38 weeks pregnant: OB pregnancy appointment, date night, & my labor dream
- 26 weeks pregnant: A meltdown about pregnancy, anxiety, and the unknown
[...] all of the news stories. I can’t even imagine, but I’d definitely need some Prozac [...]