28 Weeks

I went to the doctor on Tuesday. I had to have a one hour glucose tolerance test and then my routine check-up. I was really nervous about driving home after the visit, because I had to fast before the appointment. I wasn't allowed to eat anything after midnight and wouldn't be allowed to eat anything until after I left the doctor's office. For someone with hypoglycemia, that's no fun. Part of the way it's controlled is by eating frequent, small meals. Wes went with me just in case I didn't fare so well, but I ended up being fine.

The only problem is that I failed the test (my sugar was too high), so now I have to have a three hour glucose tolerance test. For this test, I will not be allowed to eat anything after 9:00 the night before. I have had this type of test done three times, and nearly fainted the last time. After fasting, drinking that sugary liquid, and having my blood drawn three different times, I was not feeling well at all. The nurses just did make it in time with orange juice and cookies so I didn't pass out. So I'm more than a little nervous about having this test done next week at 7 months pregnant. Wes will be there though, so at least I won't have to drive. All of this is for the doctors to find out if I have gestational diabetes.

Another thing that I discovered at this appointment is that my blood is Rh negative. It's not anything that will cause harm to my body, but it could cause problems in a future pregnancy (for the baby). So that meant that I had to get a shot in my hip, and I'll have to have another one after Isaac is born.

I had a ton of questions answered at this appointment. I'm seeing a doctor and a midwife, and everyone asks me why I'm seeing a midwife. So I asked what the midwife's role will be in the labor and delivery process. I've been alternating between seeing both of them, so whoever is on call will be the one who delivers my baby. The only exception will be if there are any complications while the midwife is there (like needing to use a vacuum to guide the baby out of the birth canal). Then the doctor will come in to assist her.

I also asked the midwife when we need to come to the hospital. In our prepared childbirth class, the nurse said that we need to wait until we are in active labor because early labor usually lasts a minimum of 8 hours for first babies. So imagine my surprise when a friend of mine delivered an hour and a half after arriving at the hospital earlier this week. Either she didn't recognize the signs for early labor, or she was just really blessed by a short labor. The midwife told me that my "friend is a freak" and that that rarely ever happens. Then she reviewed all of the stages of labor and explained the difference between real labor and false labor. She also told me that before we ever leave the house, we need to call and they'll let us know whether or not we need to come to the hospital. So I felt very reassured, especially since our hospital is a minimum of 45 minutes away from our house.

It turns out that our prepared childbirth class is going to end one week early, so next week will be the last week. On one hand, I am glad that we will have our Tuesday evenings free again. On the other hand, I will miss our long talks on those nights.

During the classes, some things have made me less anxious about the whole process, but other things have made me pretty nervous. I'm glad to have all of this knowledge upfront though. I would much rather know about things ahead of time. I do much better when I know what to expect. Now hopefully we'll be able to remember at least a little bit of what we were taught when the big day arrives.

Speaking of the big day, every time I stop to think about bringing our baby into the world and holding him for the first time, I'm overwhelmed. Yes, I know life will change as we know it after Isaac arrives--it already has changed drastically, and he's not even here yet--but I just can't wait. I'm so thankful for the ways that God has been blessing me lately, and I'm so blessed to have such a sweet, supportive husband to walk with me through everything.