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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Bringing You Up to Speed

There are several big revelations, life changing moments and small struggles I need to reveal to you. However, I can't do that until you know a few things about me. I'm going to begin with my mistrust of doctors and borderline loathing of modern medicine. When I was pregnant with Rew I began showing signs of miscarriage. I found a very kind and proactive doctor. He was preceded by a long list of nurses and doctors that spouted off reassurances that nearly half of women miscarriage they just often miscarriage before they even know they are pregnant. Their idea of treatment was a tough love approach to prepare me for the inevitable. It certainly did not stop the spotting from getting more frequent and heavier. Luckily the ever elusive experienced and compassionate doctor came into our lives. He stuck around long enough to find out I was not a statistic but a young woman with a hypothyroid condition. I started taking levothyroxine and the spotting stopped. We moved to another state and I was transferred to the care of another doctor. This doctor was dismissive of my thyroid condition and failed to monitor my levels despite the fact that I was pregnant and newly diagnosed. Rew was born by emergency c/s and spent the first week in ICU with Tachycardia. Her heart was beating so fast they were worried her heart wasn't even having time to pump blood throughout her body. I took her home and spent those first baby moments counting her heartbeats and checking her for blue discolored legs. I wondered if the human heart only had so many beats in a lifetime. I watched her breathing and worried she was ticking away. After countless specialist and only a few short months her heart slowed down and so did mine. Her Tachycardia was just a brief side effect of my thyroid condition. My levels were not properly monitored and she paid the price. I wish I had known more about my thyroid condition before she was born. I would have been more proactive. I trusted that my doctor with his years of experience and education in medicine knew best. The birth of our second child sealed the deal for me. I'll share the scoop on that gem next. Soon you will be caught up on my past so we can dig into the present.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Jen, your story and Rew's survival is truly miraculous given the negligent treatment you recieved during your pregnancy. I am thankful and humbled by this tender story. The imagery of her struggling newborn life and your anguish will stay with me. Holding you in the Light,
Jenny

Andrea said...

OH MY! I know what you mean. I am battling some issues right now that are NOT being taking seriously. THANKFULLY, I am not carrying a baby inside this body.
Blessings and prayers,
andrea

♥ Kathy said...

I have Graves Disease which is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid. It's wrecked my heart. I was years into the disease before I was diagnosed. I'm with you...I don't trust most doctors. I'm glad your Rew was ok. My Daniel passed away because of my body.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

That would have been terrifying.

I hope with the second, your doctors listened to you.

Anonymous said...

We, too, have learned that you need to take a pro-active approach to medical care, both obgyn and pediatric. From hearing loss, to stomach problems to infertility to delivery - if you are not getting the response you need, you need to make a change!

My 3rd one had a respiratory problem and my dr had no problem to treat only after flare ups because "he would just outgrow it." After nights where I would count respirations, I decided I needed to be pro-active and be preventative. We found a pediatric allergist who prescribed a treatment that strengthened the lining of his lungs - and WhhaaaaLa! No more problems!
ProActive = Preventive

Amy said...

ooh this just ticks me off. I too have a thyroid problem that doctors keep writing off and not taking care of. I did miscarry at 18 weeks because they didn't monitor my Thyroid. I just thought I was just another statistic until I went to another doctor who again was unhelpful but did give me some literature and realized that it happened because of my Thyroid. I join you in the "mistrust of doctors and loathing of modern medicine".

I am so glad that your story has a happy ending. God Bless.