New posts are up at other places:
I took my parents shopping for something other than strollers or gliders, here (SFist.com).
I’m a little miffed about my pregnancy being treated like a disease, here (Parenting.com).
A few more words about the words I wrote at Parenting.com, because I can’t seem to be done with the topic of TESTING. As far as I can FEEL my pregnancy is fine, except for the medical establishment’s opinion of it.
Am wrestling with my OB’s need to test test test. And to be fair, she has been reasonable up to now about my choice to skip some of the tests. But the upcoming ultrasounds and fetal monitoring, she FEELS extremely strongly about.
My rant: It’s all statistics and averages. 33% of babies gestating with 2-vessel cords (like mine) have growth issues. Mothers over the age of 35 are statistically more likely to experience placenta poop-out (I believe that’s a technical term?) or/and loss of amniotic fluid in third trimester. So I have to go get an ultrasound this week, and twice-weekly fetal monitoring in the near future, and I don’t want to because you know what? Ultrasound technology has never been PROVEN safe. Nor has it ever been proven UNSAFE. But who cares? As long as doctors get to see the baby… wheeeeeeeeee.
Yet, when it comes to peppermint tea, all the mainstream books say not to drink it because it’s never been proven safe. The difference? Nobody gets to charge me $500 for a cup of peppermint tea.
Okay, granted, the testing has a purpose. If there is a problem, the tests MAY identify it. But chances are that the tests may also indicate a problem where there is none. Again, the vagueness, the room for error. If a larger risk is detected, the potential for malpractice kicks in. My OB wants us to gather as much information as possible because if something goes wrong, she could be liable. Her fear feeds into my fear.
I’m not confident enough, suspicious enough, irritated enough, to refuse a test that she says we need to take.
And later, who knows what I will do if the test results mandate further procedures and interventions. Will I go along with my doctor’s paradigm for treatment? Will I recognize and/or exercise my right to say “No”?
Jody had a placenta poop out scare recently. But everything is okay now. She is still pregnant and due to deliver at the end of the month. She has had all the said tests. Not that that matters.
Just praying that it is a healthy baby.
Love ya, xo