Thursday, November 10, 2005

Reasons I declined the GTT during my pregnancy

I've done some research and I'm leaning more and more to declining the glucose test. I'm at very low risk, with no one in my family have any diabetes, and I eat healthy already.... The reasons I'm considering *not* doing the test are (stolen from this web page(http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gdnegmom.html):
* I don't like the idea of bombarding my body and baby with sugar (especially after a fast!)...can't imagine it's good for either.
* The fast alone not only sounds like a bad idea for the baby, but it can often make women ill b/c low blood sugar can trigger nausea. Drinking Glucola on an empty stomach may cause nausea, vomiting or fainting as well.
* I don't understand why they'd test me on a sugar high when that's such an unusual state given the healthy way I'm eating. (In addition, the better a woman's nutrition, the less likely her body is to be accustomed to large doses of straight sugar.)
* The test is not reproducible at least 50-70% of the time.
* From the research I've done, 30% of women fail the first test and have to go on to do further testing (somewhat of an ordeal as I understand it), even though only 2-3% are ultimately diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, resulting in less than 1% (.45%) of all pregnant women needing insulin. (Incidentally, no clear improvement in perinatal mortality has been demonstrated with insulin treatment for GD.)
* While it is true that an abnormal glucose tolerance test (GTT) is associated with a 2-3 -fold increase in large babies, the majority of large babies are born to mothers with a normal GTT.
* If the treatment for GD is following a healthy diet, why not just eat a healthy diet to begin with (bearing in mind the specifics of watching carbo intake, etc.)?
* If I test positive with their test(s), my pregnancy would officially be considered "high risk," invoking an extensive program of tests and interventions of unproven benefit *and* automatically dictating a series of interventionist methods should I wind up birthing in a hospital. Another link I found lots of information http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gestdiab.html

Mother of a "Special" Child

When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all

I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough

The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you

This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak

So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry

To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday

But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good

But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too

A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.

God Choose a mother for a "Special" child

Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But she has patience?" asked the angel.

"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."