Visit to Dietitian and Nurse Educator

This afternoon, I went for my appointment at the hospital to meet with the dietitian and nurse educator.

First, I have to say that both ladies were excellent: they listened to my concerns, acknowledged my previous experience, and were comfortable having Andrea present during our meetings!

My visit with the dietitian was longer than I expected, because there have been changes in the way they manage diets and food choices in the last two years. The system is more concerned with "carb choices" now, because it is the carbs that really affect blood glucose levels. So, my chart from my last pregnancy is now obsolete; and she had to make me up a new diet, and show me what values have changed, how to work with the new system, etc. Actually, it's not all that different from the old one, and it's easy to understand, so it shouldn't take me long to get used to it.

I didn't even have a formal visit with the nurse educator. She's the one who would teach me how to do my tests and injections, but I am already doing that just fine (I remember from my last pregnancy).

But, I did talk to her about one concern I have: my glucose levels are high right now, much higher than they should be when I am already following a strict diet. Oddly, Dr. S. only gave me insulin for bedtime. When I was pregnant with Andrea, he had given me daytime and night-time insulin right away. When I told the nurse my levels she was quite concerned, but reassured me that it wasn't time to panic or anything. However, she did give me her card and tell me to call her in a week. If my numbers haven't settled down by then, she will get me in to see the endocrinologist on call at the hospital, who will give me the daytime insulin.

Why not call Dr. S., you might ask? I did, on Monday, after 4-5 days of steadily high readings--only to find out his office is CLOSED until January 2nd. I told my family doctor about it yesterday at my 2-month appointment with her, and she told me to talk to the dietitian today (in other words, she couldn't do anything). The dietitian and nurse educator informed me that they had heard Dr. S. had also cancelled his clinics until the SECOND week of January, which means he probably won't be available until then. They agreed with me that it would not be prudent to wait that long to see him, if these high readings continue. Thus, the nurse educator offered her help, and assured me I'll see a doctor next week if these readings stay high.

Like I said, though, the nurse educator reassured me that the baby will be okay, and not to worry too much.

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My first ultrasound is tomorrow, at noon. Now I am really anxious to see how My Little Bud is doing. I hope we see a healthy, happy Little Bud in there (and that I get a good picture to share!). :))