Yesterday I had an appointment with my OB (I'm 12 weeks) and she brought up the issue of my hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid, which I have been treating with medication for 10 years). She said this could lead to developmental problems in my baby and recommended I see an endocrinologist or MFM (maternal fetal medicine- read specialist for High risk pregnancies!). I was a bit shocked as my previous OB was completely unconcerned about this issue.
She finally agreed to follow my labs and medication herself, taking monthly blood draws and sonograms to follow the baby's growth and development. (This was a relief to me as I was not wanting to go to another doctor and have twice as many appointments as I already do!) The whole thing threw me off some, and I realized how I need to pray for a healthy baby! I did not even think of myself as being at risk (and I would still say I am very low risk as my disorder is treated with medication and will be monitored closely).
When I got home, I talked to my husband.
"I didn't know my low thyroid could cause developmental abnormalities!" I said. Caleb looked at me and replied, "Yes, honey, that's why we went to Haiti and treated all those women and children with iodine! (Without iodine, the thyroid is unable to function at all. Our research in this area has shown these people to be moderatley to severely iodine deficient!)
Suddenly, images of the hundreds of women and children of Haiti came flooding back to me, and I thought about all those iodine pills we dispensed from my humble little pharmacy in the middle of the remote mountains, six hours by foot from any other form of health care. It almost made me want to cry! Suddenly it all made sense. It seems like such a big deal when it's my baby at risk, but I realize at least I have access to a MFM if I need it, and daily medication to keep my thyroid levels within a normal range. All the care these women had was what we gave them!
I will try to post more about Haiti. I am finally starting to feel better and getting more energy, so hopefully that trend will continue! Ha... the picture of me looks like I hadn't had a shower for a while. Well, a bucket of cold water can only go so far!
7 comments:
Love these pictures. I'm sure God will take perfectly good care of you and your little peanut. Always be in prayer. :) Chris and I miss you guys!
Lovely pictures. glad you are feeling better.
Interesting, I always wondered why they asked if I had a history of low thyroid at my first appointment.
We are praying for a healthy baby for you guys, and so glad you are feeling better!
Congrats Anna!
I have been treating my low thyroid with Ioderal and Maca root quite succesfully.
Did you know that people with low thyroid generally also have poor adrenal function? The thyroid can heal, if the adrenals are supported and healed first.
Than you for all the pics!
Paula
Praying for you and a healthy pregnancy. I'm so glad you posted pics...my family gave me some hi-lights of Caleb's talk at chapel. I can't wait to hear more about your trip.
anna, great post! one of the best about the haiti trips I have seen.
Hi there Anna! It's so fun to know that we a so close in due dates! I was 14 weeks yesterday (Sunday) and have started to feel some of the muscle aches and pains as my body changes and adjusts... I've had a couple of days with some nausea in the last week... not bad, but enough to make me not want to eat. I'm very thankful to be on spring break this week, so I can have my afternoon naps again!
I'll be praying that your nausea continues to subside and that you are able to get lots of rest!
:-) ttyl!
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