Baby: Week 28

Week 28: Baby is the size of a chinese cabbage.


By this week, Baby D weighs two and a quarter pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

I had my three-hour glucose test on Friday -  I DID NOT LIKE IT. Here's my story...
 
You have to fast twelve hours prior to the test (for me, I couldn't eat past 9 p.m.) My lab only does one three-hour test per day. I started at 9 a.m. (when they opened) and they tested my blood to get my fasting blood sugar. Bill came with me because they warned I might get sick. They came out to the waiting room with the nasty orange drink (pictured above) and explained that this drink is twice and sweet (and syrupy) as the one I drank for the one-hour. They said I had six minutes to drink it and to drink it very slowly - small sips so as not to shock my system. They were very kind and repeatedly said it was a "tough test" and that they'd be there for me if I needed anything at all. They said they would get me a room if I was feeling really poorly. I'd have to come back to the lab every hour over the next three hours so they could test my blood to see how it reacts to the sugar. I had a 10:10 a.m. regular doctor's appointment and they suggested seeing if I could get in early so I could get in for my first hourly blood draw. After downing the drink in the allotted time period, Bill and I went to camp out in the waiting room.
 
I was feeling pretty confident at first, pulled out my book and started reading. Soon, the nausea kicked in. I put the book down and just sat there, trying to contain myself. I checked in and was able to see the doctor a bit early. This was no typical appointment for me. I was not myself and hardly had any questions. Dr. B was really nice and said, "I just don't think you have gestational diabetes." Bill asked, "Why?" and he responded, "Just a feeling." Boy, wish I could have gone home then after his "feeling!"
 
Back to the waiting room and it was soon time for my second blood draw. I went to the lab to check in and there were a bunch of people in the waiting room. I know this isn't nice, but someone needed a shower and with my nausea and sensitive nose, I just couldn't handle it. I stood in the hallway, then kneeled and eventually just sat down leaning against the wall. Denise, a nurse I've seen for years, saw me and said, "Courtney! You don't look well. You need to have them get you a room!" After the blood draw, the phlebotomist reserved an exam room for Bill and me. They encouraged me to try to sleep as that often helps and they'd come get me when it was time (in another hour) to test my blood again. I was so sick, I even started crying, but Bill said I did fall asleep for a short bit. I did everything I could to not throw up. Vomiting meant I'd have to come back and do this all over again - and I wasn't having that! They got me in for blood draw #3 and then returned me to the room. By the time for blood draw #4, I was feeling a "bit" more myself. I sent Bill out to the car and I headed to the lab.
 
After the fourth and final blood draw, they told me I'd get a call on Monday only if I "failed" the test. Bill took me to Dairy Queen (the closest place for food) and I had a hamburger and we went straight home and I laid down. I can honestly say I have not felt myself since this test. I have had morning sickness similar to my first trimester - it has been awful.
 
Today, I found out that I passed three of the four tests:
Test One: (goal is 65-94) - 84
Test Two: (goal is under 180) - 162
Test Three: (goal is under 155) - 169
Test Four: (goal is under 140) -123
 
I first was told I wouldn't have to do anything because I only failed one of the four tests, but later a nurse called me and said I'd need to follow a gestational diabetes diet for two weeks and then go back for a one-hour glucose test. UGH - no! At least it is the one-hour. Thank goodness they aren't requiring another three-hour.
 
I told them I'd been sick since the test and they said it is very possible my morning sickness has returned in the third trimester. NO!! They said this often happens since there is less room in my stomach for digestion. I knew I jinxed myself - I just gave away my "preggie pops" - I thought the worst of it was behind me. But, who knows maybe it will go away (please, please, please).
 
Basically, this isn't the worst news ever, but I'm not exactly jumping for joy. And although I don't get to have my mother-in-law's Peach Fuzzy drink on the Fourth of July, I don't even get to have a non-alcoholic version. Boo hoo. OK, my pity party is about done.
 
Here's a belly update.

Belly at 28 weeks.


And in case you forgot what I looked like before...


Have a good week!