According to the Registered Dietician, Alison, who I saw during my pregnancy,
over 90% of women who develop Gestational Diabetes do test normally after they have delivered. Some women are told to get tested right away, some at six weeks, and others a bit later. While I was advised that I could get tested as soon as three months after delivery, it always seemed one thing after another popped up. So, just as she said she would, Alison sent me a reminder email and I scheduled the tests for this Saturday.
Alison ordered two different tests for me that required fasting. I was told to get an 8 a.m. appointment if I could, so I could eat up till 10 p.m. the night before. I’d hoped William might sleep through the appointment, but he was wide awake as we waited in line.
Even with an appointment, I was waiting almost 40 minutes. I sat next to a woman who was getting the Glucose Tolerance Test for her second pregnancy. As she had not had Gestational Diabetes with her first pregnancy and I had with my only pregnancy, I was able to tell her a bit about what it was like if she had it this time. Finally it was time to go get the test done.
The tests I had included a fasting glucose and a measurement of average glucose in my blood stream for the last three months. I’d heard breastfeeding could lower glucose even in women who had had Gestational Diabetes, so I was hopeful I’d pass the tests. Though I wasn’t allowed to eat till the tests were complete, William had no such restriction, so he gleefully took a bottle.
After the tests, I went to the ladies room to change William. Being a hospital associated lab, they did have a proper changing table.
They are so serious about strapping in the child that the message is written in several foreign languages.
I should have the results in a few days at most. I’m hoping for the best, normal blood sugar readings across the board.
~ Danielle
Over 40 First Time Mom 