When I was pregnant with Sadie, I failed my glucose test. I went down the winding path of gestational diabetes with all of its carb counting, blood sugar checks, and lots of walking after meals. During Mordecai’s pregnancy, I passed the glucose test by just five points. It was a relief! And then I had a big baby boy who had shoulder dystocia. I always wondered if I had diabetes during his pregnancy and didn’t know it and ate as normal and then he got big? I don’t know. Anyways, as the title of this post hints at… I failed my glucose test with baby number three.

I went to my 27 week appointment and drank the lovely orange drink and had such a stomach ache afterwards. I remembered feeling especially awful after drinking it during Sadie’s pregnancy and hoped it wasn’t a bad omen… but it was and I failed, lol.

I’m back on the four-times-a-day blood sugar check train. Once when I wake up, and then an hour after every meal.

The midwives had me tracking my blood sugar and sending them my log for a couple of weeks. They saw some elevations in my fasting blood sugar levels, so they referred me to a consult with Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM).

I had a phone call with MFM and the dietician reviewed my diet with me and said I’m doing well with what I eat and mentioned that the fasting blood sugar levels are extremely tough to control. She gave me a few recommendations (walking before bed and trying to eat no carbs at my bedtime snack 😭 lol).

My next step is to meet with the MFM doctor and go over my blood sugar log. I know if I have three or more fasting blood sugar levels that are too high, I have to start taking insulin shots. Having to take insulin would change this whole pregnancy because it would risk me out of care and a birth at the birth center.

I’ve had so many thoughts on this. First of all: this is stressful. I hate that I can’t control my fasting sugars. Like there’s just no rhyme or reason and it’s so up and down. I take my sugar first thing in the morning and if it’s high, I’m instantly beating myself up that day. Even though the dietician told me that it’s literally just my body and not something I’m doing. Still, I’m just feel like a failure and like I’m failing the baby.

My next thought: I have to keep doing this up and down rollercoaster for several more weeks. Help! It’s a pain to prick my finger and eat less carbs and exercise more… but I will do anything for this baby. I’m kind of laughing about all the random and weird places I’ve taken my blood sugar lately but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

Another thought: I really hope this doesn’t risk me out of the birth center. But if it does… well, that’s God’s plan and I know His plan is always good. Always. I can rest in that.

My sister talked with me about this a lot and has helped. She has reminded me (like daily!) that this is just my body’s reaction to pregnancy. I’m doing my best and keeping what I *can* control in control. She also said that if I end up in the hospital for the birth, it’s for a reason and God knows what’s best for me and baby. Amen and amen.

Still, it’s just hard. It’s stressful. It’s blah. So that’s where I’m at with that. I meet with the MFM doctor in January and will go from there!

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Now, let’s talk about iron infusions. I’m an old pro at those, haha. I’m in the midst of a few rounds of infusions to try and get my iron levels up and while not horrible, they’re an extra thing, you know? I’m really grateful to have the ability to receive the infusions, and I know they help!

The routine is to check in at the hospital, get vitals, get an IV of saline, and then spend around two hours getting the actual infusion via IV. It takes time and the side effects (usually fatigue and a headache) aren’t my favorite but again, I’d do anything for this baby!

I was blessed that Jimmy came with me to my first infusion of this pregnancy. All thanks to my mom watching the kids!! Thanks mom and Jimmy 😊

What do you think: does it count as a date? I’m going to say yes 😉

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Other pregnancy updates: Hmmm, not many! I haven’t had a prenatal checkup in about a month, so I don’t have too much to report. The aches (varicose veins, nighttime calf cramps, and the inguinal hernia) haven’t been *too* bad.

At my last appointment I had mentioned to the midwife that I was having horrible, horrible nightmares of something happening to one of the kids. Like gut-wrenching, tear-inducing nightmares that would leave me waking up in a panic and crying. She said that was a possible sign of prenatal OCD and that I could start medication and/or therapy, so that’s in the back of my mind as an option. We’ll see!

I’m definitely emotional to the max lately, but I’m not sure if it’s just the stress of life + pregnancy complications + OCD stuff or if I’m just a hormonal pregnant chick. Or all of the above. I’m thankful for everyone in my life bearing with me, that’s for sure 😜

I was talking to my sister about the blood sugar stuff and she was like “When baby girl is in your arms and you can look back, you’ll understand it better and it will all be worth it.” I had a moment of realizing oh yeah… there’s a baby after all of this! Our baby! It’s so easy to… how does it go… “not be able to see the forest through the trees” or something? I’ve been so caught up in the small details of this pregnancy and getting through each challenge and complication that I constantly forget that, Lord Willing, there’s a baby on the other side! What a joyful thing to look forward to 🩷

I have an upcoming prental appointment and the MFM appointment, so I’ll have more to overshare after that, lol.

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So, that’s where I’m at! Currently in the third trimester and slightly feeling like I’m repeating Sadie’s pregnancy with the diabetes and iron infusions!? Feeling good, feeling emotional, feeling thankful, feeling excited to meet baby girl in a couple of months!

Past Updates
Our Family is Growing!
Finding Out About Baby #3
First Ultrasound
First Prenatal Appointment
Telling Sadie
Finding Out the Gender
Starting the Second Trimester
Halfway, The Anatomy Scan, and All The Emotions
A Blood Clot Scare and Hematologist Appointment