3 Hour Pregnancy Glucose Test… a live blog

Welcome to my 3 hour pregnancy glucose test.  It was much different than last time I took it, and certainly more intense than my one hour glucose test from last week.

I’ve never been one to “live blog” or “live tweet” an event, although I’ve seen so many people do it across the years at conferences, events and seminars.  But since I’m trapped for a little over 3 hours in my OB/GYN’s office this morning, I figured, it was time I jotted down everything I was feeling, even if it’s only for archival purposes, or to help some poor soul with their dreaded pregnancy glucose test.

Zero Hour (8:40am):

Fortunately, I snagged a morning appointment instead of an afternoon and was rationed my much-sweeter-than-one-hour glucose drink which was red in color. Instead of tasting like mildly over-staturated orange Kool-aid, this red one tasted like 15 million melted ice-pops on steroids.  Coming from the girl that can drink straight Grenadine (and LIKE it), that’s saying something. Because it was suuuuuper sweet.  Anywho, having been starved of all food and water since midnight of last night, I was super thirsty and a little big #hangry.  So down it went.

Next, I took my position with a back bolster on the lobby couch and jacked into the interwebs.  Four years ago, when I was pregnant with Red, I was allowed to leave the office and run errands, take a stroll, and generally burn off some sugar.  This time, no dice.  No leaving, no walking.  We’re stuck in the office, because too many ladies were sugar crashing out and fainting.  Or getting jittery and not being able to handle it.  So in the interest of safety, we’re confined to the lobby.  Bummer, I thought.

But here’s the interesting thing. For the first time ever, I feel kinda sick after drinking it. I’m seated comfortably on the couch, and what I would give to suck down 12 oz of water and maybe toss my too-sweet cookies. Let’s not think about it, and instead focus on the cool breeze that’s seeping through the crack in the door nobody bothered to close…

One Hour (9:40am):

Another blood vial drawn via butterfly needle for the 3 hour pregnancy glucose test.  And, oooooh, golly, I am tired.  I could roll over and take the biggest instantaneous nap ever.  I snagged a corner spot on the couch with  the bolster pillow and the only thing keeping me from sleeping is mouth-breathing shame. Yup, I’m a mouth breather when I sleep. Super attractive…. Zzzzzzzzzzz.

The nap-death leveled out at around 1.5 hours. I feel a little more stable, and the quiet environment is really conducive to getting work done on the computer! 🙂 I wonder if they will let me set up a morning office in here?  There’s also a lot of largely pregnant people in here. Either the fall was a really fun time, or there’s something in the water 😉

Two Hour (10:40am):

It should be noted that my nurse asked me to do this test yesterday, on my birthday. That would be a big, fat, #nope.  I barely picked up the computer that day. I shopped with Mom, released ladybugs with my son and crammed pizza into my face in the evening. My family made me feel so special, and I am humbled by their love. (It appears the glucose is now seeping out of my pores and speech <3)

I feel very calm, almost sedated.  But I’m pretty sure that’s from sitting here, being still in the quiet, and has nothing to do with my blood sugar level. I still have not felt jittery, and aside from the sleep-crash last hour, just fine.  When the (very nice) tech drew my blood this time, my poor vein was so sore. Two previous draws on top of this last one makes for one very red arm and a bruised elbow pit (Is that what you call the inside of your elbow?) and me not wanting to go back one more time.

Also, I would really like a snack. #FeedMeSeymour

Three Hour (11:40am):

Blood draw #4. The tech was nice enough to poke above the previous draw site so that I didn’t jump out of my skin for the soreness of my veins.  I am also starving at this point, so cue the muffins in my purse and the giant water I packed!! 🙂 Next, I’m heading home for a nap, and hopefully the nurse will call me tomorrow or the next day to tell me my results. Since they send all four vials to the lab now, I don’t get instant results anymore.  I wish I knew my results instantly, but at least this is much more accurate.  RESULTS SOON!

I’m finally finished with this! The next milestone will be a mini baby shower, setting up the nursery and finally, delivery day.  The next 10 weeks will fly by, so I feel like I need to step up my preparation for this little girl!