Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Joys of the Glucose Test

So today was the day I had to squeeze in my glucose test.  I tried to push it back since this is my last week of work and I hate to be out any more than necessary, but the nurse I spoke to was having none of it. She said it had to be between weeks 24 and 29 and it was "very important."  Barf.  I think it is a blanket test to cover tails, but I tend to be a bit on the cynical side when it comes to some things doctors do.  Still, I do want this baby to be okay and if there is some chance that they (the doctors) know something about gestational diabetes that I don't (highly probable) I suppose we should find out if I have it or not.  Is it arrogant to say I highly doubt I do?  Is it ignorant to say I don't believe I am at risk?  I mean I know bad things happen to the healthiest of people but in this case I just don't believe it will.  Jason wishes I'd just smile and go along (which I did to all but him...and now you), and so I underwent what I thought to be an unnecessary, annoying waste of my time.

Unnecessary because I'm as healthy as an ox.  The whole point of eating right and exercising is to avoid things like diabetes.  Annoying because I needed to be there by 7:00 a.m. to hopefully get this thing rolling so I could get to work, and I would have preferred to spend that time running in the rain or doing my weights video. And then they ask you to do two things they tell pregnant ladies NOT to do, which is to fast and then pour pure sugar into your system.  Hold on one minute.  I know doing it once probably isn't going to hurt anything, but what if I don't even want to do it once?  And what if I like my pure sugar in the form of an Oreo at night after dinner?

So I went in and waited in the waiting room as my stomach churned with hunger.  They eventually called me back and I had my first tube of blood drawn before drinking the sugary "Fruit Punch" labeled drink (which I downed like a champ).  I then had to wait an hour before more blood was taken, and then one more hour before it was taken again.  That should have been 3 needle sticks, but I got the benefit of four because she missed the last stick.  And let me say, it hurts when they miss.  Not unbearably, but it definitely felt wrong.  I don't mind being stuck with needles, but three times in one arm seems a bit excessive.

Surprisingly, I felt okay during all of this. I didn't get light headed, weak or nauseated.  I had a tiny bit of a headache toward the end, but as soon as I ate something afterward, it was gone.  The little girl in my tummy was unaware of her mama's woes and wiggled around as I sat in the waiting room reading my book.  I got to overhear the four nurses banter with each other and other patients coming in to get stuck with needles.  The nurses whined about being tired, being hungry (I could sympathize), not having enough supplies and then stealing supplies from each other.  It was all done in good fun and was certainly entertaining to me.  One big guy came in and hollered when they stuck him, and the nurse threatened to put duck tape over his mouth.  Another lady was grouchy and in a hurry, constantly telling the nurse she had to leave.  A little boy came in and despite his cries, I thought he did really well.

So despite my griping about it, it is done and it wasn't so bad.  Of course now, instead of sitting at work I'd rather be napping or running in the rain.

10 comments:

  1. I have a friend who always has to do the second test. She never ends up having anything wrong, but her first test always gets poor results. Poor thing. I can hardly stand it once! It is nice to have an excuse to read a book though. I used to keep a journal in my bag when I was pregnant so I could write in it at the doctor's office. It's the only time in my life I kept a slightly regular journal thanks to the long weight times!

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    1. Oh my goodness! Your poor friend! I hope I don't have anything strange on my test! That is such a great idea about the journal! And you are right, it is a perfect time to read. :) I did not mind that part.

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  2. I always kind of liked the glucose test because the drink we have here tastes exactly like Orange pop. Not something I drink, but it reminds me of when I was little because orange pop was always my favourite. Good for you for getting it done though, one more thing checked off the list.

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    1. Yeah, it really was not as bad as I thought it might be. And I was so hungry, I didn't really care! ;)

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  3. Oh the glucose test sucks!! It's a bunch is hoopala for nothing. I've had a couple friends have to go back and do it twice but never have had it. It's not a very accurate test if most people have to go back twice.

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    1. I know! I have heard a ton of stories like that... freaks me out a little. I think it will seriously hurt my feelings if my test is bad. ;)

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  4. I'm cynical about the process of that whole test too....so I skip it! :) Well, not completely with my more recent pregnancies I guess because I did agree this time and last time to do glucose testing on my own at home randomly over a few days, which my drs agreed would be much more accurate than dumping 50g in your system and seeing how your body reacts.

    Totally laughing about the nurse threatening duct tape!!

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    1. How did you not agree? Did you just flat out say no? If that is an option, I want to say no for baby #2. Not that it was so terrible or anything, I just really don't think it is necessary and by that point I'll have baby #1 already...

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  5. you should spend your next pregnancy here because you only have to get stuck once. you drink the stuff, wait an hour, and then they stick you. that's it. and i guess every dr. is different, but mine have never wanted me to fast beforehand. they've said go light on the carbs for bfast, but eat something. so.... just have your next baby here, and all will be well. ;)

    and for the record, dr. em says you are the last person she would ever expect to have gestational diabetes.

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    1. I do love your solution, Em! ;) And could you write me a note so I have Dr. Em's statement for next time?

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