RE: [ozmidwifery] Henci Goer's Article on GD

[Kelly @ BellyBelly]

This is one angry mums reply – any tips I can offer back?   I am sorry but this article is very short sighted and misinformed. It totally ignores the symptomatic effects of any level of hyperglycaemia to the mother and the subsequent physical effects on bodily functioning. Regardless of what is happening to the baby here, there is also a mother involved who I am sure would like to maintain normal organ and metabolic functioning for the rest of her pregnancy and beyond. I will come back and post more when I have calmed down...this article has made me very angry!!   (Then in a later post)   It is far from an exact science Emily....especially for us type ones who produce no insulin of all to back us up. I agree that there should be a series of tests done to confirm GD as you correctly point out fluctuations are normal and can just tip you over the edge. I also don't agree with unnecessary interventions such as induction ceaserean etc. I agree that bubs should be monitored for a time but the changing trend is for them to monitor the baby whilst in your care..that scenario is more a hospital protocol thing and as with most things re-education takes time to filter through. What I don't like about this article is that it totally ignores the mother and the effect that high sugars have short and long term on physiological systems. It appears to be advocating no treatment because the treatment doesn't affect outcomes...for the baby maybe, but definitely not for the mother. Even one trimester of hyperglycaemia will cause permanent damage to organs. It mentions a low carb diet as causing ketosis...true maybe in some cases but extended hyperglycaemia will lead to ketoacidosis which could kill both mother and baby in a matter of hours...which is worse? It also doesnt mention that hyperglycaemia can cause placental breakdown and spontaneous fetal death in utero. I couild go on but wont. I reiterate that I agree that intervention is an old school tool that needs revamping and in most larger hospitals this is happening...it again depends on the education of obs and hospital policies. But I am angry because I feel that this article, which is no more than a very biased literature review could lead to people who have less knowledge about hyperglycaemia getting the wrong idea that it is okay not to treat it....It is not okay to ignore high blood sugars at any time pregnant or not.......at the very least they make you **** like a puppy, drink like a fish, feel like crap, have blurry vision, no energy...Hang on I'm just describing pregnancy...hehe......at the worst they can lead to kidney damage, circulation problems, permanent eye damage, cardiac issues and nerve damage......I just want people to be aware there is more to this issue than that article presents....*end rant* *off soapbox* Best Regards, Kelly Zantey Creator, BellyBelly.com.au Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood BellyBelly Birth Support - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of Michelle Windsor Sent: Saturday, 5 August 2006 8:51 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Henci Goer's Article on GD   I agree. There seems to be a real misconception even amongst obstetricians that gestational diabetes has the same risks as pre-existing diabetes.  A couple of years ago I did a bit of research on it for my masters and could find no evidence that this was so.  And according to cochrane the  OGT test is not reproducible 50-70% of the time.   Cheers Michelle Mary Murphy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: The best way for those who disagree is to find the definitive studies that address all of Henci’s points. If is such an important issue, those studies would be available for us all to read. There is harm being done to mothers and babies by the definition of Gestational diabetes.  MM   What are everyone’s thoughts on Henci Goer’s GD article? It’s caused a bit of a stir in my GD forum: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/showthread.php?p=382564 but I don’t feel that I know enough about it to comment… Best Regards, Kelly Zantey Creator, BellyBelly.com.au Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood BellyBelly Birth Support - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support      Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com