Having A Baby In Norway – Facing Diabetes
At my last doctors appointment (yesterday) there were some symptoms that have caused concerns. My normal doctor is still on holidays (a Summer hazard of Norway – everyone disappears for six weeks all at the same time) so I had a very young female doctor. Two scary words were brought up at the appointment: diabetes and pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia can be a serious condition – it can lead to life threatening complications to you and the baby. It effects the health of the placenta and can cause problems to the growth of the baby. The only way to cure it is by delivery of the baby and placenta. There are a few symptoms to look out for – high blood pressure, protein in the urine and oedema (puffy/swelling of the hands and feet). My blood pressure has always been good, about 70-80/120. The last urine test with the midwife showed no protein. However, I do have oedema. It’s normal to get a little puffy in pregnancy especially by the end so I didn’t make a fuss. But now even when I wear my hubbies socks (size 47 male – yes, he has the biggest feet I have ever seen!) I still get very deep sock marks around my ankles. However, I forgot (like so many times) to bring in a morning urine sample to test. As I had another ultrasound appointment at the hospital the next day (today) the doctor insisted that I take a morning sample to them.
I was the one who brought up the word ‘diabetes’. At my last midwife appointment she mentioned that because of some of my symptoms the doctor will need to organise a diabetes test. Diabetes, better known as Gestational Diabetes in pregnant women, can be developed in later pregnancy. Usually it goes after birth but sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve already had three kids and haven’t developed diabetes but it’s always been a concern of mine. My grandma died of diabetes when she was 40. I’ve always been wary of the disease as it took away my grandma before I was born – my dad was only 13. The doctor ordered a blood test then and there at the clinic. As soon as the results came in the microbiologist called the doctor. She was with another patient and wouldn’t answer so the microbiologist immediately went into the consultation room to talk with her. Hmmm – that has never happened before after a blood test. The microbiologist stuck a post-it on my pregnancy record for the hospital. Just some numbers and letters and then insisted that I do a morning urine test for the hospital the next day. Of course, it made me curious.
At home I went straight onto the internet to get some knowledge. I found out that normal human blood sugar level should be 3.3-7.0. Mine was 7.3. The other test was Haemoglobin. Normal should be 4-5.9%. The International Diabetes Federation recommends that patients should be below 6.5% and the American Diabetes Association say 7%. I was 10.3%. Oops!
Well, this morning I’ve been a good girl and did a proper urine sample. This next visit to the hospital will be the last turning point to the story before the climax. But I hope this time my life doesn’t play out to a Hollywood movie. (The last turning point in a Hollywood screenplay has to be so dramatic that propels the hero into making character building decisions that inevitably leads to a loose or gain all climax.)
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L-Jay–you know the first rule of pregnancy and doctors… Don’t panic!!!!! It might be a good thing that you had a young female doctor–super sensitive to everything.
As a mom of big babies I know that edema goes with the territory… and as someone who is pre-diabetic now (never had gestational-D, but had high readings) I know that the sugar in your system can be easily controlled with diet.
Look at it this way–if it IS gestational D. or pre-E they have caught it NOW and can monitor you and the baby– so everything works out GREAT!!
Keep your “toes up”–drink LOTS of water (it really WILL help with the edema) and DON’T WORRY!!!!!!!!! Stress and worry is the WORST thing for your little “Odd/Wenche”!!!!!!!!
Thinking good thoughts for you ALL!!!!!
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from L-Jay:
You are completely right! And there is good news. I have pre-E but it is a good wake up call. (I tend to have a sweet tooth…lol.) Knowing this means I have more fire to make better lifestyle choices – although it will be hard to avoid all those yummy cream cakes here…lol.
I laughed my head off at the name joke… thanks
I just had my Week 28-check up, I was checked for hemoglobin but not blood sugar. I live in Bergen by the way. When does the check for blood sugar come in regular check ups? Do you have to have the symptoms before you get checked for gestational diabetes?
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from L-Jay:
You need to show signs before you get a ‘blood sugar’ but at the beginning of your pregnancy they should have taken a blood sample to run the normal checks. If you have concerns discuss your symptoms with your midwife or doctor. When I was pregnant they didn’t do a blood sample for gestational diabetes but pre-eclampsia. (hey already new I had gestational diabetes from urine tests.)