Gestational Diabetes...

I guess it's time to come clean. I have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I had to take my 1 hour glucose test early, because I have PCOS. I failed it by 1 point. Argh! So I had to take the 3 hour glucose test. I failed it by 1 point. Double Argh! I'm glad they tested me early. If they would have waited until 28 weeks I might have already had a 8 pound baby. I have been testing my blood 4 times a day for about 5 weeks. It's been going really, really well. My numbers are perfect. The nurse said I might have been misdiagnosed, but we'd rather play it safe.

Every doctor visit I bring in my chart and food diary. The doctor is very impressed with how well I've been doing. It's really helped me watch what I'm eating and keep my weight gain under control. So far I have lost 8 pounds, we'll see if anything has changed at my next appointment on the 17th. I don't want a 12 pound baby, so I will do whatever it takes to stay healthy. I also want it to go away after the baby is born, which it should.

How did it happen? The nurse explained it to me, but I found a good definition on webmd...

"Gestational diabetes is the result of some changes that occur in all women during pregnancy. Increased levels of certain hormones (including cortisol, estrogen, and human placental lactogen) interfere with the ability of insulin to manage blood sugar. This condition is called "insulin resistance." Usually your pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) is able to compensate for this insulin resistance by increasing insulin production (to about three times the normal amount). If your pancreas cannot sufficiently increase insulin production to overcome the effect of the increased hormones, your blood sugar levels will rise — that means you have gestational diabetes."

I'm not depressed or bummed. I like a challenge. I like impressing the doctor with my excellent numbers. I like keeping track of everything that I'm eating. So far everything is going perfectly. I really don't want to have to take insulin shots (it's hard enough pricking my finger 4xs a day) and I don't want to have to take medicine. I have faith that I can continue to keep this under control with diet and exercise. I can still have a sweet treat once in a while, I just have to eat things balanced and in moderation (which is what we all should be doing). I didn't tell many people until now, because I was a little embarrassed to find out so early. But like I said before I'm glad they found out early, I don't want a 12 pound baby. =) If you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask me. I have learned a lot! If any of you have had to deal with this or know someone that has... I'd love to share.

Tomorrow is the big day! We will find out what we're having!!!!! =)