Pregnancy

I personally did not take Tylenol during my pregnancy but i know that many women do. This is an important study to read because of the heightened risk for male infants and testosterone levels. It is scary how one day they claim certain habits are okay and then the next they are not. I suppose everything we do is risky and should be based on our gut feeling rather than what we are advised to do.

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/pregnancyparenting/pregnant-women-should-keep-tylenol-use-to-a-minimum/ar-BBk4yoq?ocid=iehp

A very sad story of a mother passing away just after having her second child. She was a diabetic that struggled with blood clotting. Due to the clot from her daughter’s birth, she suffered a heart attack and passed away.

It really breaks my heart to hear such a tragedy. She leaves behind a husband and two children. Delivering a child is risky but when combined with diabetes and other conditions it can be lethal. My thoughts are with this family as they grieve.

Please take a look at the link posted by the Province newspaper.

http://www.theprovince.com/touch/story.html?id=10992008

When I was diagnosed with diabetes it took me awhile to adjust and accept it. Pregnancy and a gestational diabetes diagnosis would be just as hard or even harder. It took me years to balance my eating and level of activity. For gestational diabetic’s, they are directed to change their diet and activity immediately for the safety of their child. There isn’t an adjustment period to reflect/ grieve/scream, which I assume can be challenging.

There are a lot of resources available on gestational diabetes, but I have yet seen them focus on the emotions/ feelings. It is stressful enough being pregnant but to add a new risky ailment to the party isn’t fun. The lifestyle changes are demanding at first but you eventually get used to it and become attuned to your body. Checking your glucose levels before and after you eat is exhausting and then making sure you eat enough (and the right things) , and exercise. It’s a juggling act!

There are some moms who don’t need to take insulin and then there are others who have to. I remember when I had to (prior to pregnancy) and it was such an emotional experience. Maybe it was because the reality sank in or that I was scared. Regardless, it’s a big deal and we (ahem..me) sometimes forget to give ourselves a break. Take it one day at a time and remember you’re not alone.

We made it! My daughter has reached her 1 year mark and we all survived. Good god, it was a world wind of emotions!

She is the best thing that has happened to us! yes, we are sleep deprived but we are all healthy, thriving, and happy.

When people tell you having a child is the best experience ever, it truly is. I remember the transition of when we were at the pre- pregnancy stage. We were excited to start the journey but also scared. I knew that there were precautions to take and had to see a team of doctors. I was able to write down the process, so that I could potentially help other moms.

Below, i pasted my ramblings of my pre pregnancy journey into motherhood.

[My first experience of being educated about the complications and medical expectations of pregnancy left me feeling overwhelmed and unjust. I realized that it was practical to be aware of what is to come, but at the same time, it was just too much to comprehend. I ended up shedding a few tears but was determined to take the positives out of knowing the information in advance. The information about my health was and is important for anyone trying to conceive when having an autoimmune illness, such as diabetes.  I unfortunately, had two conditions, diabetes and hypothyroidism.

I was told by the diabetes clinic nurse and dietitian that prior to conception; I would need to have optimal blood sugars to avoid any complications. Once pregnant, they would expect I count my carbohydrate intake and would be strict about measuring my belly circumference. The complications of having high blood sugars may lead to miscarriage and difficulty of conceiving. Once pregnant, if the blood sugars are not under control (Morning/ lunch/ dinner/ snack > 5.3 and after 2 hours of eating your sugars should not exceed >7.3) this may lead to a stillbirth, developmental delays, and preeclampsia. Your belly circumference will tell your doctor whether you are gaining weight other than baby weight. They also measure the baby’s belly to ensure it is not enlarged. If so, they would want to ensure that you make some changes with your diet. The worry is that your baby would be larger than average due to uncontrolled diabetes.

I was advised to take a higher dose of folic acid when taking pre-natal vitamins. My Doctor prescribed Preg-Vit Folic 5. You take two pills a day, one in the morning and the other in the evening. If you are taking another medication like I was you have to make sure you take the vitamins 4 hours after your other medications. I was extremely overwhelmed with having to time when I take my thyroid medication and when I can take the pre-natal vitamin. After my minor tantrum and feeling sorry for myself, I was able to make it work.

I thought, Magda, this is only the beginning!!]

Reflecting back on my initial journey, I am thankful. Thankful because I needed to be diligent and dedicated not only for me but for my child. I believe I am better at outsmarting this disease then it outsmarting me. Well, we all know it is a journey but I am feeling good about it thus far.