"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." ~Adolf Hitler
"You can't push in that position, it's not safe"
"Your 8 lb baby can't fit through there"
"Ultrasounds are completely safe"
"Down's Syndrome people cannot lead normal lives - it is best to abort"
"Cesarean is the safest option"
"Your baby will die without vaccinations"
"VBAC is too risky"
"Episiotomies heal better and faster than tears"
"I wouldn't suggest anything that would hurt you"
"Induction is just as safe as spontaneous labor"
"Breaking your water will help you finish faster"
"Most first time mom's NEED an episiotomy"
"If you just let me ______ you will have your baby in no time"
"The risks of amniocentesis are less than the odds of having a 'bad baby'"
"Cesareans are completely safe"
"Epidurals carry no big risk"
"A woman cannot safely birth a breech baby vaginally"
"Twins need to be born by cesarean, or completely medicated, it is safest"
"How a woman births is not important"
"The placenta acts like a barrier - nothing bad gets to baby"
"Home birth is irresponsible"
"These tests are necessary"
"Pushing on your back provides the straightest route for baby to get out"
"GD is treatable"
"It is safer to induce at 40 weeks than to wait for normal labor"
"Your baby is stuck, an episiotomy will let him get by"
"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." ~Adolf Hitler
What lie are you believing?
11 comments:
that's one powerful post.
Amen!
Love your blog!!!
why thank you Chanda
GD is treatable. Either through strict diet or insulin.
Kimberley -
The term 'treatable' means to improve outcome through a series of tests, management, and countermeasures.
Unfortunately, though it can sometimes help to keep sugars at a good level, the treatment of GD through diet or insulin has been shown to NOT reduce mortality or morbidity rates... in other words, the treatment is not working.
If you check out OB Gyn News Vol 24, No 12 - you will see just this finding.
Next, take a look at Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 164, 1673:9 - It states:
"In conclusion, the results of this study cast doubt on the current approach to GD. We have been led to believe that challenge testing will help in the management of pregnancies and that therapies based on these tests are beneficial. This study does NOT support this concept." - again, it is not treatable.
Finally, and most disturbing, OB Gyn News printed an article on August 1, of 1996 that said that screening is inefficient, has a high false positive rate, and our current 'treatment' may even be harmful in the long-run.
Even if screening does have a false positive rate I for one have definitely benefited through knowing that I indeed to get GD when pg. Both my babies have benefited from me monitoring my diet strictly and watching my carb/sugar intake. I understand the ins and outs of GD personally and know that if I didn't do what I do when pg my children would suffer and very likely end up diabetic.
Forgive me for sounding trite, but ANYONE would benefit from a healthy diet and limiting sugar and carbs... not just GD patients. :o) And I am glad that you are taking care of yourself, but a GD diagnosis should not be your motivation (which I don't believe it is, I hope you can see my point).
The fact remains (sorry for sounding like a broken record) that GD is not TREATABLE by definition and by ACOG/WHO/and AJOG studies.
"The term 'treatable' means to improve outcome through a series of tests, management, and countermeasures. "
GD is treatable through the 'countermeasure' of monitoring my blood sugars and rationing my carbs far more than the 'average' pregnant woman. Moreso than any other pregnant woman (without GD) that I've ever known. In that way it is definitely treatable.
If I didn't get GD I would most definitely not restrict myself to only 30 grams of carbs per meal and 15 grams of carbs per snack. That is extreme and it it necessary for those that suffer from GD (a very very real condition).
Do I really have to list all of the possible and serious side effects of uncontrolled GD for mother and baby?
I truly do love your blog but I would also like you to give all the facts (up to date and current) as well as your opinion, which I love, most of the time).
Kimberly - the fact remains that MEDICAL journals and studies show thatGD is, unfortunately, not a TREATABLE condition.
Healthy eating habits will benefit, AS I SAID EARLIER, any person - whether or not they have GD. Unfortunately, the US has horrible diets, and thus, increased dietary risks and medical problems.
You are arguing VERY cyclically. The problem is this - there are no more recent studies on GD treatment and effectiveness... WHY? because they cannot find a better treatment, one actually improving fetal mortality and morbidity, than what they have now... and thus, they are not going to restudy that which they already have found to be accurate - GD treatment that we have now is ineffective in what they hope to gain - better prenatal and fetal outcomes.
My opinion is that we strive for a healthy mom and baby - what do you disagree with?
I am not disagreeing with the diagnosis - not even the testing, if that is what you choose - I am about TRUE and INFORMED decisions - not just what your doctor wants to tell you is true. Again, what do you disagree with? That I will not bend and say that GD is treatable?
You're right, I won't. The studies have shown that 'treatment' is not bettering fetal outcomes.
I hope that my striving to give accurate, honest, and factual information will not keep you from coming back, I truly do appreciate your input.
And just for more fun... http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/315/7110/736
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