May 9, 2011
I Swear I’ll Deliver This Baby Myself
On Friday I had another midwife appointment. I’m now going on 19 weeks pregnant. With each of my previous pregnancies, reaching 20 weeks was such a milestone. I could start counting down the weeks instead of up. Half way there. I went to my appointment in such a good mood.
It was quickly ruined.
My midwife, usually always so laid back and open to questions and conversation, was in a rush. She had a situation at the hospital. And what she did have to say to me, I didn’t like one bit.
All cases are reviewed with the supervising OB doctor. Like most doctors, he doesn’t want to take the conservative approach to my potentially high-risk pregnancy due to my being a gestational diabetic last time. So, instead of waiting until the typical 24-28 weeks, he wants me to do a 1-hour glucose-tolerance test this week, which means he’ll also want me to do one at the 24 and probably 28 week mark too.
Here’s what he does not realize, but I plan to make him realize when I go for my ultrasound on May 24th.
First, my Mom is a Type 1 Diabetic. I am well aware of what diabetes is and how it can potentially affect me and my baby. That’s why, since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with Sassy, my diet has drastically changed. I always ate well, but I eat ridiculously well since then. I don’t drink any sugared drinks at all. When I drink orange juice, I pour a tiny bit in a cup and water it down. I drink milk a half cup at a time due to the sugars in milk. I count carbs and combine carbohydrates with proteins. I only eat whole grain breads and pastas. I avoid sweets except in very limited amounts. I never stopped eating well because if the diabetes is going to come back and stay, it comes back typically, within five years. It’s been five years and my blood sugars are normal. I know this because I have a blood glucose monitor and since the day I found out I was expecting a “bonus” baby, I’ve been randomly testing my blood sugars. . . fasting ones, 1 hour post-breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each and every one has been normal, completely normal. In fact, they’ve been more normal than most average people.
I’ve also gained a total of 2 lbs. this entire pregnancy so far. Two. Clearly I’m eating well.
More-so than anyone, I know the risks because I’ve been through this before, and because I’ve been the daughter of a brittle diabetic for almost 32 years. I wouldn’t put myself or my baby at risk, but I really want this doctor to back off. At the first sign of trouble, I’d be happy to let them know I’m having a problem. I’m not going to be stupid about it. Like I said, I know the risks. . .
But stress does awful things to your body and from the minute I found out I was pregnant, I was scared. I don’t want to have gestational diabetes again. I don’t want the GD to turn into full blown diabetes. I see what my Mom has to deal with and the three month taste of it that I had, was plenty, thank you very much. So from the minute I found out I was expecting, I made a conscious decision that I would be careful, but that I wouldn’t stress myself out. Now that I know others are stressing, I’m stressing. And it ticks me off, because I felt like I was going through this pregnancy on my own terms and now I’m not.
I’ll take that 1-hour glucose tolerance test this week. But when it comes back normal and then I’m asked to do it again in a couple weeks, I’m going to stand firm and say “no.” I have a glucose monitor and I am a responsible, informed and educated adult. I chose a midwife because I didn’t want extra intervention. I honestly feel like firing them all and just delivering this baby by myself. All of this medical intervention is unnecessary and unwarranted. Maybe other pregnant women like doctors fussing over them and offering every test possible. I’m not that girl.
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Things You Could Care Less About
Wow, how stressful indeed. I’m guessing (hoping) that when you talk to the doctor, he’ll realize that everything is under control and back off. I wouldn’t count on it, though, because most doctors want very much to be in control, because it’s better safe than sorry, and because this way he can feel assured that HE is doing what needs to be done to keep you safe.
I hope he’s the kind to pay attention, listen, and let you relax. If not, try to take it in stride and not let his caution stress you out.
I’ve been following your blog for a while now – I enjoy your writing. Reading this struck a cord. I recently delivered my second child and while my first pregnancy was a breeze, the second one was nothing but stress. I had to switch doctors for this pregnancy as my previous doctor had so conveniently moved out of the country. I had 1 slightly elevated blood pressure reading at an appointment (as the doc was 1 1/2 hours late) and it turned into a virtual firestorm (blood tests, etc). I am all for caution as I understand the risks of preeclampsia; however the doctor went off the deep end. I bought a blood pressure cuff and started taking readings at home. At home – always normal. I walk into the doctor’s office and it was elevated. And they wouldn’t believe me that it was because of the stress that THEY put me through. I even wrote down my bp readings twice a day to show them. So stand firm – you know your body and having experienced it in the past you would know if you needed to sound the alarm.
BBM…
You are doing all the right things…Unfortunately, I think the doc is practicing defensive medicine, er, CHA (covering his ass) because of your history. Hopefully, your test will come out fine and things will progress much smoother. I know it sucks, but, it isn’t because you aren’t being smart. It’s because docs are forced to do shit they normally wouldn’t do, even with smart patients like yourself.
Stumbled across your blog… I could have written this very post last year! Family history of diabetes, first pregnancy w/ GD, etc. A word of caution – with my second pregnancy, I also wanted to avoid everything you mentioned. My OB agreed to let me skip the testing and nutrition classes and just monitor my blood sugars on my own. What I wasn’t told (until 38 weeks) was that the dr considered this a “diagnosis” and treated it as such. In the end, my efforts were moot. They still considered me high risk and pushed for interventions. So stand firm and best wishes for a healthy baby!