Since when is this acceptable? (Rant)

MamaMandy2015 · July 2015

Honestly, since when is it acceptable to basically chew me out for this? Let me explain, I had my 1 hour glucose test done over a month ago, I got a call a week later from the nurse at my OB saying that it was over, but her words "not by much only 1 point, but lets set up a 3 hour test" at first I was like ok, fine. I got to my appt. a couple days later, seeing the new nurse practitioner and she tells me that I have gained 20 pounds so far and since "you were a little padded to start with, that's all you should be gaining in the entire pregnancy, maybe at the most 25 lbs" ok...sorry it's not like I'm pigging out on crap. Then she goes over my glucose test results, I explain that while yes I was supposed to fast for 12 hours, it really only lasted about 10.5 because I got to the lab too early and they rushed me in rather than hour wait I would have had, combined with the fact that the night before I did pig out on pizza and breadsticks (I hadn't had them in like 6 months) so yah the carbs turn into sugar which stuck around my system which made the BSL a little elevated. She agreed that's probably what did it, but still wanted a 3 hour if I felt like I needed it. fast forward 2 weeks and I had done some thinking, spoken with a friend who is a NP in another OB office and her DH who is the OB at that office (good ol BBq with the usual gossiping and talk) and they both agreed that 1 point over is really not cause for a lot of concern, considering there are no other factors or indications that I could have GD and I knew it was the pizza that did me in, I feel 100% comfortable not taking it with no fears or guilt.

Here comes the next appt of mine, I see the same NP and she begins to chew me out over how I didn't do the test, how I have gained too much weight, that I'm putting myself and my baby at risk (still hanging in at only 20 lbs gained) and goes on and on, I explain my thoughts and feelings over the glucose test, I explain that yes I gained 20 pounds and yes I was a little overweight to begin (overweight by 8lbs.) with but there is no need to berate me over it. She says " well I just can't deal with someone like you who refuses genetic testing, refuses glucose testing, refuses to stop gaining weight, refuses any type of medical advice and is hell bent on risking their babies life"....OH. My. G**. wow, yes, my DH and I opted out of the voluntary testing for genetic issues, down syndrome, etc. I have followed every single other advice/command that the doctor has given me, including driving 3 hours one way every week for 5 months to see a high risk doctor because I was incorrectly diagnosed with having caught some weird parvovirus B19 that could cause anemia and heart failure in the baby, my DH and I paying each time over $600/visit because the freaking insurance wouldn't cover it, having an amniocentesis done at every other appt only to find out that I never had this virus to begin with. I'm sorry, I was just so pissed at this lady for talking down to me the way she did, I feel like while we are at the will of our OB's, we should also not be treated badly because we don't follow certain advice (I'm not talking the major stuff) and we certainly should not be made to feel like some sea cow that cares nothing for our unborn child. I've requested from now on that I don't have any more appointments scheduled with her. I really feel like changing practices because of this, but I remind myself that she is a new NP to the office, that I've had the same OB for my previous kids and never had issues and so I will just see y OB directly rather than seeing the NP. Sorry for the long rant but I was totally just fed up with the snide comments.

Miz_Liz · July 2015

I would be reporting her to the office manager and my OB. She has no right to say anything beyond offering medical advice. It is her job to inform you on what they recommend and the reasoning behind it, beyond that, it is not her decision which tests to have and which tests not to have and you don't owe her an explanation.

Bailey1823A · July 2015

I am going to wager in here. Her comments were totally out of line, I will start with that. I will also say that one point over probably is not cause for concern however for the one hour glucose some offices don't even require you to fast prior to taking it. Unless you had multiple slices of pizza, I would imagine that your 1 hr should have been normal if you fasted for 10.5 hours before the test. Also if it were me I probably would have sucked it up and taken the 3 hour test because in the off chance it wasn't the pizza and I actually had Gestational diabetes I would be a little concerned. Now back to the NPs comments and behavior. I would report that to the office manager because she should not be treating patients that way. If I did that to my patients as an L&D RN (some of whom have done actually very harmful things during their pregnancy) I would be fired. Sorry you had to deal with her criticizing you.

jakira92 · July 2015

Were those really her exact words??? Is it even strange to refuse genetic testing? I didn't think it was...

MamaMandy2015 · July 2015

I never remember having to fast before the 1 hour before, but yes I admit guiltily that I ate like 5 slices of pizza and 5 breadsticks...I was a complete pig about it. So yes, knowing that I was taking the test the next day I take full blame for it, and admitted to that to the NP (I also told the lab about it before I signed in, thinking they would ask me to come back another day and they said no big deal, they would note it on the results). I did report her to the office manager and hopefully she'll see the error of her ways. I was just flabbergasted at the whole thing. I've got fairly thick skin so her words didn't hurt as much as piss me off she had the gall to say it.

Savanna111911 · July 2015

I also declined genetic testing. I actually thought that was pretty common. My midwife said it was.

Brodie and Chevelle · July 2015

MamaMandy2015 said:

I never remember having to fast before the 1 hour before, but yes I admit guiltily that I ate like 5 slices of pizza and 5 breadsticks...I was a complete pig about it. So yes, knowing that I was taking the test the next day I take full blame for it, and admitted to that to the NP (I also told the lab about it before I signed in, thinking they would ask me to come back another day and they said no big deal, they would note it on the results). I did report her to the office manager and hopefully she'll see the error of her ways. I was just flabbergasted at the whole thing. I've got fairly thick skin so her words didn't hurt as much as piss me off she had the gall to say it.

I ate right before the 1 hour test and was only over by 2 points. I went on to the do the 3 hour and have GD. I talked to the doctors and they said that food from 8 hours previous would not still be in my system, so the pizza might not have caused the 1 point spike. HOWEVER, the way the NP treated you is 100% not acceptable. Only being 8 lb overweight to begin with is really not that bad and I 100% agree that it's your choice what testing to have or not have. Honestly if it were me I would probably head elsewhere, but I understand wanting to stick to the same place. So sorry you have to deal with that!

bpwife&mama · July 2015

MamaMandy2015 said:
I never remember having to fast before the 1 hour before, but yes I admit guiltily that I ate like 5 slices of pizza and 5 breadsticks...I was a complete pig about it. So yes, knowing that I was taking the test the next day I take full blame for it, and admitted to that to the NP (I also told the lab about it before I signed in, thinking they would ask me to come back another day and they said no big deal, they would note it on the results). I did report her to the office manager and hopefully she'll see the error of her ways. I was just flabbergasted at the whole thing. I've got fairly thick skin so her words didn't hurt as much as piss me off she had the gall to say it.

I had a NP do something similar to me with DS. I gained far too much weight. I'll be the first to admit it. But she was always really mean to me about it. Told me I should walk at night, by myself, in the dark if I had to. She was awful. I made it my life's mission to lose all that weight and more to prove her wrong. I lost 85 pounds and she didn't even recognize me.

GirlOnTheBeach · July 2015

She was totally out of line. No excuse there for that behavior.

Just something to consider about your test: I have GD and even if I were to eat a lot of carbs for dinner, 10.5 hours would be more than enough for it to leave my system and go back to a normal level. Was your first blood draw (the one they took before you drank the solution) the one that was high? Or the one after waiting for one hour? If it was after the one hour, that has absolutely nothing to do with your pizza/breadsticks. That is showing that your body was slow to process that sugar from the test. You may not have any symptoms of GD and still have it (I didn't have any symptoms at all). It may be worth the 3 hour test just to be sure.

breezymeema7 · July 2015

I agree with PPs, her behaviour was not professional. But I'll be completely honest with you, I think it's not in your baby's best interest to refuse the 3 hr. Chances are, you're right and you don't have GD, but what if you did? You could be potentially be putting your child's health at risk. Please read this as coming from a place of concern, not of judgement.

carriebelle77 · July 2015

That lady SUCKS! I would NEVER see her again, report her to the practice, and possibly complain to the medical licensing board about her unethical conduct!

I started out overweight, I've gained 50#, & have refused all genetic testing. No one at my practice has blinked an eye. I'm not an idiot...I don't need someone to talk to me like I'm a child. I would have been FURIOUS!!!

cseley321 · July 2015

I agree with the PPs. She was absolutely in the wrong but I would still do the 3 hour test just in case. Most likely you do not have it, but it's not a bad idea to get tested just in case so that you can remove all doubt. Not passing judgment, just my honest opinion.

MamaMandy2015 · July 2015

They didn't draw blood before the 1 hour test, only after 1 hour and a huge bottle of that gross orange drink. It just baffled me that after admitting my eating habits the NP agreed that it was the case and said that if I felt like doing the 3 hour I could but it didn't seem necessary. Then to basically act opposite of what she said, the next appt was bewildering. I'm just thankful I don't have to see her again.

MrsRusty14 · July 2015

I'm sorry she treated you that way. You refusing genetic testing should not have been brought up. As for your test, I was in a similar situation. I was a little over weight before getting pregnant, by the time of my 1 hr test I had gained 20 pounds. I passed my 1 hr test by 1 point. My doctor did not make me take the 3hr, but put me on a diet. I'd rather diet than have to test my blood sugar or go through the 3 hr test. I have been following a GD diet for 4 weeks and haven't gained any weight. My doctor is happy with that and wants me to continue the diet. It sucks, I'd love to eat pizza right now but I'd rather be safe and diet, than have untreated GD and have that risk to my baby.

emmacake08 · July 2015

I think it's a common misconception that what you eat the night before can make or break your test results. I was in that boat too thinking I had more control over it then I really did. If anything, your reasoning would make me more likely to think you're boarder line GD because you'd still have too high blood sugar based on food choices the night before combined with the drink. For the 1 hour they don't take blood at the beginning but the 3 hour they do.

Sorry you were treated poorly, that's unacceptable. Hopefully after speaking to the office manager, you won't have any issues moving forward. Feeling uncomfortable with your care provider is also unacceptable. Hope it improves!

GirlOnTheBeach · July 2015

emmacake08 said:
I think it's a common misconception that what you eat the night before can make or break your test results. I was in that boat too thinking I had more control over it then I really did. If anything, your reasoning would make me more likely to think you're boarder line GD because you'd still have too high blood sugar based on food choices the night before combined with the drink. For the 1 hour they don't take blood at the beginning but the 3 hour they do

I agree with you on this. I noticed she said they didn't take her blood before the test and you didn't have it taken either. They took mine before and after, I thought that was standard procedure as it would rule out the possibility of your sugar being high before even taking the test.

WDDCH · July 2015

Regardless of what you refuse (or not) she was wrong. You are not obligated to do any testings whatsoever. You have a choice! I would be reporting her conduct. She's new but that is no excuse. Thankfully NPs don't deliver babies so if you tell your OB you want nothing to do with her then you shouldn't have to see her again

melissajuelich · July 2015

I can completely sympathise, my BMI is 40 but I am healthy/ executive etc, I admit I am a little over weight but I am healthy and I too have had Midwives chew me out over my weight and BMI but don't really take into account all the leg/arm muscle I have.
Honestly the best way to deal for me is to treat it like white noise. They don't know you or your lifestyle. Keep your chin up! Not long to go!

Laurmi · July 2015

While I agree her comments were inappropriate, I don't think it's a bad idea to be overly cautious with gestational diabetes. I have been super conscientious about my diet and health this entire pregnancy and am a an overall very healthy person, however I shockingly tested positive for GD. I was pretty defensive at first, irritated, and in denial....but honestly it's the best thing that could have happened, in retrospect. I think we make excuses for ourselves and give permission to overindulge while pregnant, but honestly....binging on unhealthy crap while pregnant can really do a number on the entire process. Now that I have to test 4 times a day I can't hide and say "oh what's a little bit of pizza gonna do?!" Read the numbers and it will tell you a lot! Again, I get it, but try not to take it personally and think about the fact that she's probably just concerned about the health of the baby. They see a lot of people ignore advice and have bad outcomes.

MamaMandy2015 · July 2015

I too thought that they would take my blood before and after the 1 hour, just to have a baseline reading and something to base it off of, and since I was only 1 point over, even though I'm not taking the 3 hour I am adhering to a diet that mimics that of one that some are put on after failing a 3 hour. So it's not like I'm just pigging out on crap anymore (the pizza was homemade by my friends mom who was over from Italy visiting, oh em gee it was good though) but then again this entire pregnancy I've stuck with healthy eating and haven't binged on junk, or sweets so that is another reason I felt comfortable in not taking the 3hour. I do appreciate all of the advice given thus far from you ladies and I agree that being shamed into not taking certain tests is unacceptable. considering I just found out today while dropping of the pre-register forms at the birthing center I ran into another lady who is due this next month too and see's the same OB as me. We got to talking and I brought up our NP and she pops off with " yah, I told her the other day that when I pop this kid out that she and the hospital will probably be mad at me because it'll show I've been smoking pot and I've tried to stop using crack but I keep relapsing, she said not to worry that if I stop now and get some help everything should be ok" I asked if she was serious and did she get a butt chewing and she said no, that the NP 'felt bad for her'.....STFU and GTFO! I wanted to smack her upside the head and scream at her, here I am getting chewed out for gaining 20 lbs and she is doing drugs and gets the damned sympathy card?! I am so bringing this up to the office manager tomorrow when I call, this is crazy!

xsunshinelady15 · July 2015

MamaMandy2015 said:
I too thought that they would take my blood before and after the 1 hour, just to have a baseline reading and something to base it off of, and since I was only 1 point over, even though I'm not taking the 3 hour I am adhering to a diet that mimics that of one that some are put on after failing a 3 hour. So it's not like I'm just pigging out on crap anymore (the pizza was homemade by my friends mom who was over from Italy visiting, oh em gee it was good though) but then again this entire pregnancy I've stuck with healthy eating and haven't binged on junk, or sweets so that is another reason I felt comfortable in not taking the 3hour. I do appreciate all of the advice given thus far from you ladies and I agree that being shamed into not taking certain tests is unacceptable.
considering I just found out today while dropping of the pre-register forms at the birthing center I ran into another lady who is due this next month too and see's the same OB as me. We got to talking and I brought up our NP and she pops off with " yah, I told her the other day that when I pop this kid out that she and the hospital will probably be mad at me because it'll show I've been smoking pot and I've tried to stop using crack but I keep relapsing, she said not to worry that if I stop now and get some help everything should be ok" I asked if she was serious and did she get a butt chewing and she said no, that the NP 'felt bad for her'.....STFU and GTFO! I wanted to smack her upside the head and scream at her, here I am getting chewed out for gaining 20 lbs and she is doing drugs and gets the damned sympathy card?! I am so bringing this up to the office manager tomorrow when I call, this is crazy!

Is this for real?

Moprathet · July 2015

I passed my one hour GD test (phew!) so I didn't have to worry with the 3-hour. How is it different that the one-hour test (aside from taking longer, obviously)? I've seen numerous threads on here where women dig their heels in about having it done, but not sure I understand why. Seems to me it would be worth it to take a few hours out of your day to confirm or rule out whether there's an issue. If you're right about not having GD--you get to rub it in the rude NP's face if you're so inclined. And if you're wrong...well, that would suck, but you would be able to take proactive steps to address the risks.

GirlOnTheBeach · July 2015

Moprathet said:
I passed my one hour GD test (phew!) so I didn't have to worry with the 3-hour. How is it different that the one-hour test (aside from taking longer, obviously)? I've seen numerous threads on here where women dig their heels in about having it done, but not sure I understand why. Seems to me it would be worth it to take a few hours out of your day to confirm or rule out whether there's an issue. If you're right about not having GD--you get to rub it in the rude NP's face if you're so inclined. And if you're wrong...well, that would suck, but you would be able to take proactive steps to address the risks.

The three hour test starts with a blood draw after fasting for 12 hours (at least mine did). Then you drink that nasty solution again, only it's got a stronger sugar content. Then they draw your blood every hour for three hours. No water or food until it's over. It can make some women kind of woozy or sick but it wasn't the worst thing I've had to do this pregnancy.

jesicabrennan · July 2015

You have every right to refuse any and all tests, you should not feel like you're at the mercy of your OB. It is her job to offer medical advice and inform you about medical decisions but they are in fact your decisions and she should respect that.

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