GUESS WHO PASSED HER SECOND GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST?

Squee!

Even though getting pregnant was painful, apparently my body is doing something right for a change. I'm finally, albeit with the help of Metformin, processing insulin better. Who knew? I've been lucky with this pregnancy, yes, but I really do feel like it agrees with me. I'm going to be so sad when this pregnancy is over - thrilled to hopefully have our wee baby in our lives, but upset that the actual experience will have come to an end. {I know, I know, talk to me in a few weeks time when I'm huge and miserable and uncomfortable, and my tune may change!} ;)

I don't know the exact numbers from the GD test, but at least I know that I'm in the clear. I'll ask the OB for more details, out of curiosity, next week at our regular appointment.

Oh, and have I discovered a lovely new third trimester pregnancy symptom to share with you!? I hope it's not just me who's experiencing this one; but at the same time, I also HOPE it's just me because it's totally weird.

If I sit for too long or stand up suddenly, I get this weird pressure in the lady parts. Sometimes it's a shooting pain {hello, lightning crotch!} but other times it's just a dull ache. I was trying to describe it to Jase the other day, and the best way I could think of was that it felt like all my insides were going to fall out of me and drop straight down to the floor. Either that, or somebody has given me a swift kick to the vag.

I wish I knew how baby girl was sitting in there. I get a lot of flurries down in the nether regions, which I'm assuming are still miniature kicks - so I'm thinking she's still lying sideways or breech at this point. I wish there was some way I could find out for myself, but I definitely can't feel anything through my belly yet.

As I write this, baby girl is jumping around in my belly - it's as if she is remembering the sugary liquid breakfast we had the other day, and is squirming with me in sympathy!

I had my second Glucose Tolerance Test {the long one} this week, as per the OB's orders. You might remember I had an earlier GTT at 22 weeks, since I was at a higher risk for gestational diabetes due to my PCOS, Metformin use, borderline insulin resistance & as I was overweight to begin with. I passed that one, but was told that it would still be useful to do a repeat test at the usual time, just in case it developed later along in the pregnancy.

I still get nervous before all things pregnancy/test related, so I found myself chewing my fingernails off the night before and worrying about failing this time around. On the morning of the test, my stomach was churning and I didn't get the best pathologist - she was one of those 'dig in and root around for a vein' girls, my least favourite kind.

During the first hour, I felt really nauseous. I felt nothing but bored during the first test, yet this time I was worried about being able to keep the drink down. It calmed down after that hour was over, but I still felt a bit 'off' during the whole test. Getting food into my belly afterwards helped and I felt much better. {You should see the bruises on my arms though, after all the blood draws. Ouch!}

Now, typically, I'm paranoid that I've failed because my body reacted so differently between the 22-week and 27-week test, even with the exact same flavour drink & fasting diet. I'm still partially resigned to the fact that I won't pass, but I'll admit, I'll be disappointed if that happens. Passing the earlier one was such a relief; my body was actually doing something right for a change! I suppose we'll have a few more weeks now to wait and see what the results say, as I have an OB's appointment in a fortnight. If the results are bad, they'll ring me to let me know.

Has anyone else had to do the test twice {or even in separate pregnancies} and felt different both times?

I'm pretty sure that my pets are trying to prepare me for motherhood.

I've always said that my fur-babies are technically my 'first' babies. I've raised all of them from when they were wee ones, and I've loved them from the moment I laid eyes on them. Yes, that love might see trivial to people who have kids already {& yes, I'm sure my own heart will explode when our little human-bub arrives} but my animals will always be my loves. I have room in my warm and fuzzy places for ALL of my babies.

Today was our annual vet visit for the kitties. Oscar and Evie are only indoor cats, so people think I'm weird for getting their vaccinations each year.. but it makes me feel better knowing they're at least getting a good once-over from our vet at that time, too. This morning, Oscar yowled the entire way to the vet, and even Evie {who's usually completely silent - mute kitty} was squawking away with him.

Of course the second we arrived at the vet, both stopped their wailing & put on their best smug kitty faces, with the nurses making a big fuss about them both. Oscar still weighs a hefty 5kg, but Evie surprised us all - she's so tiny and fragile, but she's up to 4.2kg! Little sneak! :)

After the check-up and the vaccinations were complete, I noticed that Evie's carry case was a little, er, on the wafty side. I assumed she just wasn't happy after having her butt violated from that nasty thermometer, so set them both down on the waiting room chairs to pay up. As I lifted them, Evie had left a lovely little pee puddle on the seat - whoops! Thank goodness she's cute. The nurses fixed it up, and I had a spare towel in the car, so all was ok... until we were on the way home and the cat-crescendo started up again.

Not soon enough, I drove back home - only to find that not only had she peed all over her blanket, she'd also left me another surprise present.. which she then rolled over into during transit. What does that mean? SPONGE BATHS FOR EVERYONE... including this kitty-mama right here. Joy!

See? They're totally getting me ready for public outings with a newborn. Screaming, tears, charming the pants off everyone in sight, then potty disasters, outfit changes & oh so many baths. I think I can do this.

And on another side-note? I rang today to chase up my Glucose Tolerance Test results - and I passed!!!! Apparently for the 3-hour test here, they do a rating of up to 8. Anything >8 is considered high risk for Gestational Diabetes, and I was down in the 5-6 range. So ridiculously pleased. I'm fairly sure I'll have to do another test later on in the pregnancy to double check, but we'll fight that battle when we come to it.

Huzzah for 22 weeks! I still love checking off these weeks, it makes me feel like we're actually getting somewhere.

This morning I went through my first Glucose Tolerance Test - the full one, not the screener. If you're wondering why I did it so early {as opposed to the usual 24-28 weeks} it's because my OB is being extra cautious about me developing Gestational Diabetes. Some, but not all, women with PCOS also have insulin resistance. I don't have it, but I've always been 'borderline' - hence being on Metformin for years & continuing it throughout this pregnancy.

Multiple blood tests have never been my cup of tea, but after IVF, they don't phase me as much anymore. I checked in {with the world's wimpiest urine sample - seriously, I have the most ridiculously shy bladder} and they checked for sugars - none there, so all good. They also took a fasting blood sample, and then explained the test to me.

The glucose drink wasn't too bad - it was clear, mostly tasteless & reminded me of flat lemonade. The nurse told me that it was usual to feel nauseous or sleepy after it, but I felt mostly ok - just bored. A few hours & vials of blood later, and it was all over. Eating after having fasted for 15+ hours was an incredible feeling.

I won't find out the results for a few weeks, due to the Christmas holidays - unless I test positive, in which case I'm assuming I'll hear sooner rather than later. I'm kind of expecting to fail it, but I suppose you never know...

I celebrated getting through the test without puking or keeling over, in the form of baby clothes shopping!

Oh, this girl, I am SO looking forward to meeting her & having her in my arms. If it means I have to self inject with insulin, or completely change my lifestyle to have her here healthy, I'll do all that and then some. :)