29 weeks and counting

Today Peanut is 29 weeks old.  We have been to the hospital again today to check blood pressure and to see how he is doing.  I also had to see the diabetes educator as I have been told I have gestational diabetes. 

First, I saw the diabetes educator to learn how to monitor my blood sugar and get information about what to eat and when to measure sugar levels.  Everything seems fairly straight forward and I now also have appointments with diabetes specialists, dietitians and nurses in order to monitor myself and Peanut.  Apparently Peanut could grow really large if sugar levels are not controlled and he may be more likely to be over weight as a child.  He won't get diabetes just because I have it but it does mean he will also be getting too much glucose meaning his body will need to make more and more insulin to cope.  Hopefully the diabetes will go away again after Peanut is born.  They will test me again when he is 6 weeks old just to check.

I have been given target sugar levels and given options of things to eat before I see the dietitian, who will design a diet especially for me.  They have also said that they may need to change items on the diet list as some people respond differently to each food.  I have to eat mainly carbohydrates, low fat and hardly any sweets and chocolate, which doesn't seem fair when your pregnant and should be able to eat what you like!  Looking at the items on the sample menus I would say the diet is very similar to what I have been eating already.  The diabetes lady did say that if eating the diet does not control glucose levels they will need to supplement my insulin to control the levels.

The diabetes educator will speak to me every other Thursday, between diabetes appointments, to check my sugar levels and make changes where necessary.  I do seem to get pretty good care from the Australian health system.  The doctor rang me this morning to say that I did have gestational diabetes and by 1:30pm I was at an appointment to find out how to sort the problem out.  They made all the appointments for me and gave me lots of information. 

Next, I was off to see the birthing unit to have my blood pressure and Peanut monitored.  He is going to be the best cared for baby in the world.  My blood pressure was good today, not too high.  After taking my blood pressure and checking urine again I was put on a monitor to see what Peanut was up to.  They strap on two monitors connected to a machine.  One of the monitors measures Peanut's heart rate and the other is to see if you are having any contractions.  The midwives were very pleased with Peanut as he did not move away from the monitor and had a good heart beat.  He wasn't moving as much today but generally is move active in the mornings and evenings. 

The obstetrician checked everything and then I was allowed to go home.  I now have lots of reading to do.  Hopefully everything will go well.  My next appointments are on Tuesday to see the blood pressure specialists and obstetricians.