My 28 Week Appointment

At this appointment, we did the normal stuff, but in addition, we also did:
-A GLUCOSE TEST to test for Gestational Diabetes – Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. Between 2 and 7 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy. When you eat, your digestive system breaks most of your food down into a type of sugar called glucose. The glucose enters your bloodstream and then — with the help of insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas — provides fuel for the cells of your body. Like the type 1 and type 2 diabetes you can get when you're not pregnant, gestational diabetes causes the glucose to stay in your blood instead of moving into your cells and getting converted to energy. During pregnancy this sometimes happens because your hormones make it tougher for your body to use insulin, so your pancreas needs to produce more of it. For most moms-to be, this isn't a problem: As your need for insulin increases, your pancreas dutifully secretes more of it. But when a woman's pancreas can't keep up with the insulin demand and her blood glucose levels get too high, the result is gestational diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes don't remain diabetic once the baby is born. Once you've had it, though, you're at higher risk for getting it again during a future pregnancy and for becoming diabetic later in life.

With all that said, I took my one hour test and the level you are supposed to be at is 135 and under. I was at 140 so I had to go back in for the 3 hour test AKA as “The Torture Test.” I had to get there at 8am and they took my blood. I had to drink a sugary drink (with two times MORE sugar than the one hour test) and then they drew my blood at 9, 10, and 11. The 11:00 was the worst one because I think my veins were done giving blood and she had to do it twice. The worst part of the whole thing was not being able to eat or drink anything so I felt light-headed and nauseous for about an hour and then that passed. So, you were supposed to pass 2 of the 4 tests and I passed!! If I would have had GD, then I would have had to go to a class on how to eat properly and follow a strict diet. Someone at work had it and she told me her reward for eating well was peanut butter so I would not have been a happy camper!!

-SHOT OF RHOGAM if I am RH negative –
Each person's blood is one of four major types: A, B, AB, or O. Blood types are determined by the types of antigens on the blood cells. Antigens are proteins on the surface of blood cells that can cause a response from the immune system. The Rh factor is a type of protein on the surface of red blood cells. Most people who have the Rh factor are Rh-positive. Those who do not have the Rh factor are Rh-negative. As part of your prenatal care, you will have blood tests to find out your blood type. If your blood lacks the Rh antigen, it is called Rh-negative. If it has the antigen, it is called Rh-positive. When the mother is Rh-negative (I am O-) and the father is Rh-positive (Brian is A+), the fetus can inherit the Rh factor from the father. This makes the fetus Rh-positive too. Problems can arise when the fetus's blood has the Rh factor and the mother's blood does not. If someone is Rh-negative, you may develop antibodies to an Rh-positive baby. If a small amount of the baby's blood mixes with your blood, which often happens, your body may respond as if it were allergic to the baby. Your body may make antibodies to the Rh antigens in the baby's blood. This means you have become sensitized and your antibodies can cross the placenta and attack your baby's blood. They break down the fetus's red blood cells and produce anemia (the blood has a low number of red blood cells). This condition is called hemolytic disease or hemolytic anemia. It can become severe enough to cause serious illness, brain damage, or even death in the fetus or newborn. Only 15% of people are RH negative (lucky me!!). The RH factor does not affect a person’s general health. Problems can occur during pregnancy when the baby's blood has the Rh factor and the mother's blood does not, however it can be prevented in most cases with the medication called immunoglobulin (RhIg).
With all of that said, I am RH Negative so I had to get a shot (in my butt) of Rhogam. I may have to have one more after the delivery. I think this was the highlight of the pregnancy for Brian as he got a good laugh out of me getting a shot in my booty.

This had to be my most dramatic appointment because usually I have no issues. In additions to the GD drama and shot in the derriere, they said my urine showed dehydration?! I do not know how as I sometimes I feel like I may drown in drinking too much water (a true condition, just ask my Mother :) ) so now I am tracking the amount I drink and make sure I drink about 100 ounces a day. Along with the water comes MANY trips to the bathroom! Lastly, they also said my blood showed I was a little anemic and in addition to the four pills I'm already taking, I have to take an iron pill. Here's hoping that the rest of my pregnancy is not so exciting!!

My next appointment is January 8th (32 weeks!) and then I will start going every two weeks. We are getting close to Chloe’s arrival!! She is still VERY active. The midwife at my 7 month appointment saw her give me a big kick when she was checking for the heartbeat. She also made the comment that “We like active babies” so I hope that is good!