This morning the home phone rings, we are still asleep so we don't answer it. I know my OBGYN's office is supposed to call me today regarding the results of my routine blood glucose screen. I also know I told them to call my cell phone.
I fall back asleep and then my cell phone begins to ring and I determine it is the OBGYN office and that I should answer. I drag myself out of bed and sprit to my cell phone to answer the call.
The nurse practitioner on the line informes me I've failed the test by 1 point. Their cutoff is 139 and I scored a 140 on my gestational diabetes screen. They want me to come back in for the 3 hour 100 gram test now and they want me to do it this week.
First off, I am not one who just does what someone says I need to. I am a thinking woman and I want to know the reasoning behind the testing and the procedures. Just telling me to come in for another test doesn't give me any information about why this is even necessary plus not being able to explain the scale they use for determining the cutoff point for the testing worries me.
Since I like to be well informed before I make a decision I've put a call in to my midwife in Tennessee and I also consulted the internet for reading and research material on the topic.
Turns out there is much controversy about blood glucose screens and the diagnosing of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. It seems like this is just another ploy for them to run more unnecessary tests and to make more money off me.
Basically, whether or not I have gestational diabetes I should be eating well and taking care to exercise. Proper nutrition is they key in any pregnancy and especially when gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
Given the fact that my OBGYN advised me to "have a candy bar or some ice cream" in my 1st trimester as a means for gaining adequate weight I am pissed that now they are all "um we want to be careful about your blood sugar levels".
Duh! Blood sugar levels are a big deal and that was why I was so worried about diet and nutrition at the beginning of my pregnancy but my doctor advised me not to worry about it and now look what has happen!
I've learned my lesson! I need to trust my gut feelings and listen to my body. I was focused on good diet until they told me not to worry about it, I knew they were wrong but I did as they said and now I have to go back to what I was basically trying to do in the first place.
It makes me mad and super reluctant to trust anything they are telling me, it makes me want to fire the OBGYN and just stop with the traditional prenatal care all together.
It makes me so glad I've already decided to have my baby 4 hours (and 2 states) away naturally with my awesome midwife. I just can't believe so many women are bullied and unrightfully advised by doctors in the US and that more people aren't angry about all this.


Comments: 10
I'm very lucky this time around as both my doctor, midwife and the high risk specialist all seem to be great people.
I was told I was harming my child and not eating right because I didnt gain the 30 pound with my first well 22 yr later we doing fine
pif
I only gained 25, and 26 lbs with my 2nd and 3rd. No problems that are gestational, or birthing results.
Stopping in to PIF