Well, I've officially experienced the worst part of my pregnancy thus far... the 3 hour glucose test.
If you remember from this post, I failed my 1 hour glucose screening at my 28 week appointment so last Friday Dr. C sent me the instructions for the follow up 3 hour long test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. Here's what she sent me:
"In order to prepare your body, we would like you to 'overload' your system on carbohydrates before the testing time. For three days preceding the scheduled test, your diet should include an additional 300 grams of carbs each day. Please note that this is in addition to what you normally eat. In order to do this you will probably need to have large snacks several time a day! We prefer you eat a variety of carbohydrates, not all just sweets.
The night before the test, do not eat or drink anything except plain water 12 hours prior to the test. The test will start with drawing a blood sample. You will then be given a sweet drink with a measured amount of glucose in it. You will have 5 minutes to drink this. The test is timed and will start when you complete the drink. Blood will be drawn hourly until designated hours (3) are up. You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything during this time, but are encouraged to drink water."
So, Tuesday morning I start the carb overload... and I didn't realize how hard this would be until I started looking at labels and the example sheet that Dr. C also gave me.
If you remember from this post, I failed my 1 hour glucose screening at my 28 week appointment so last Friday Dr. C sent me the instructions for the follow up 3 hour long test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. Here's what she sent me:
"In order to prepare your body, we would like you to 'overload' your system on carbohydrates before the testing time. For three days preceding the scheduled test, your diet should include an additional 300 grams of carbs each day. Please note that this is in addition to what you normally eat. In order to do this you will probably need to have large snacks several time a day! We prefer you eat a variety of carbohydrates, not all just sweets.
The night before the test, do not eat or drink anything except plain water 12 hours prior to the test. The test will start with drawing a blood sample. You will then be given a sweet drink with a measured amount of glucose in it. You will have 5 minutes to drink this. The test is timed and will start when you complete the drink. Blood will be drawn hourly until designated hours (3) are up. You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything during this time, but are encouraged to drink water."
So, Tuesday morning I start the carb overload... and I didn't realize how hard this would be until I started looking at labels and the example sheet that Dr. C also gave me.
| Amount | Carb grams | Food | Amount | Carb grams |
| 1 % fat milk | 1 cup | 12 | yogurt fruited | 1 cup | 40 |
| Bran Chex | 2/3 cup | 23 | yogurt fruit | 1 cup | 19 |
| Frosted Flakes | 3/4 cup | 26 | Raisin Bran | 3/4 cup | 28 |
| fruit juice | 1/2 cup | 15 | bread/toast | 1 slice | 15 |
| banana | 1/2 | 15 | sugar | 1 tsp. | 4 |
| pancake syrup | 2 Tbsp. | 30 | pancakes - 4 | 2 | 15 |
| low-fat granola | 1/2 cup | 30 | sugar-free syrup | 2 Tbsp. | 4 |
All I have to say is that is A LOT of carbs to add to your regular diet!!!
Anyway, I'm sure I didn't even come close. I tried to add an english muffin with peanut butter to my usual breakfast of oatmeal and fruit along with a glass of fruit juice each morning. For lunch, I tried to eat a sandwich or pasta along with milk or juice. Two of the nights for dinner we added bread and potatoes. The last night we had lasagna, also with garlic bread. With all those additions when I tracked my food at Sparkpeople.com, I didn't even reach 300 grams of carbs TOTAL each day, let alone on top of what I regularly would have eaten. I was full... miserable... and I really don't want to see another carb all weekend. Lets just say I feel like I gained 10 lbs in those three days. I haven't gotten on the scale to check.
This morning when I went into the lab for my test the technician described exactly as above as to how my test would go and I thought I'd be fine. Boy was I wrong...
She checked my blood sugar when I got there and told me it was 65 - she tells me this is normal. Then comes the 1st blood draw. Then the glucose solution - this time I get the lemon lime flavor... it's worse than the orange in case anyone was wondering. It tasted like a thick lemon lime soda with about 4 times the amount of sugar. Then, back to the waiting room I go to sit for an hour till my 2nd blood draw.
At first I played solitaire on my laptop, then I started to watch The Hangover with my earphones until I thought to myself that there were other patients who could see my screen and it was probably not the most appropriate movie to have playing in the waiting room... oops :) So I broke out my book instead.
About 45 minutes in I started to feel myself get REALLY queasy and the hot flashes and dizziness set in. I grabbed a cup of water from the cooler and sipped on it but it wasn't helping so I made my way back to the restroom and had a SERIOUS talk with the porcelain god. I had to beg myself not to upchuck the solution because I knew that would probably mean I'd not be able to finish the test and I'd have to do this all over again. I did hang out in there for a good while leaning against the wall cause it sure felt cooler than the waiting room... ugh! I can honestly say I haven't felt that sick in a LONG time, maybe ever, without throwing up anyway.
Finally the tech called me back for my 2nd draw and she must have realized how I was feeling because she asked me about 4 times if I would be ok. After the 2nd draw I made about 3 more false alarm trips to the restroom to keep things down but gradually started to feel better. For the 3rd and 4th draws the tech at least switched arms that she was drawing blood from but by the end I still felt like a pin cushion. FINALLY it was over!!!
I was supposed to go into work after but I called in sick the rest of the day... I deserve it right??
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