Gestational Diabetes Test

[carang]

i hate the glucose test, but i did them.

i don't see anything wrong with doing the urine tests at every appt. better to be safe than sorry. i think that is the mantra that they use at QMH as well.

PS they found problems with my urine MANY times throughout both of my pregnancies, so i was very glad they were so persistant

 

[Canucker]

Hi All,

Another woman I know gave birth at QM a year ago and she told me "the squeeky wheel gets the oil"... so if there is something you don't agree with (strongly I may add) she said to keep pushing.

When she went in to give birth to her second child she wanted to use the "birthing ball" (that is how she did it the first time in Canada) but they did not want to let her since she did not take the "course" at QM. She said she just kept on insisting until they finally gave up and everything turned out ok.

When I told her I know someone else who gave birth to a boy there 2 months ago and they wouldn't allow her to take pictures of her new son on her chest right after she was born (has pics of her first 2 kids this way - but they were born in Canada), she just laughed and said she and her hubby took pics and by that time they knew just to leave her alone.

So is it fair to say, as long as it does not endanger you or your baby or someone else, that you can push for something you believe in at QM and get it even if it isn't in their rules?

And I did think about writing up a "birthing plan"... is it a waste of time?

As for the birthing ball lessons, I can't even get in the "regular" English birthing class b/c they are full... why is that not manditory?

Canucker

 

[capital]

I am suprised that your friends in canada didn't have gestational diabetes tests, or have their urine check. I had my 2 in canada and they check my urine for protein and sugar at every appointment, as they do for everyone here (alberta) and everyone has the gestational diabetes screen. Of course you could refuse if you wanted to, but homestly I don't know why anyone would refuse those tests, they are noninvasive.

I woulnd't worry too much about taking pictures, what they going to do, make you have over the memory card! I think sometimes rules are made just for the sake of rules.

 

[Canucker]

Hi Capital,

Maybe it depends on the doctor in Canada then... my friend in Calgary is 34 weeks along and has never had her urine tested at any dr's appointments and was going to bring it up at her next appointment b/c both myself and another friend (who lives in BC and is 32 weeks along) always get our urine tested. Calgary friend also got the 3D or 4D scan for free, where girl in BC (and in HK) you have to pay for it.

Then a friend of mine (who lives here now, but gave birth in Ontario) didn't have the g. diabetes test done when she was pregnant. So maybe it just depends on the dr.

Canucker

 

[rach]

if for some reason you do have gestational diabetes - you would want to know about it as it can affect the babies lungs and is quite serious so i reckon it is better to be safe. that said i don't think private docs insist on it unless you show any signs or have a higher risk of having it but still i think it is good they are so cautious here.

 

[Matty]

Canucker,

It's worth doing a birth plan.
I did one, and had it put in my file during one of my check ups.
The staff were excellent about it, and a Dr even went through it with me during a visit at Tsan Yuk.

I asked for some fairly unorthadox (by HK standards) things, and they happily followed the plan during labour.

I think if it's all there in black and white it makes it easier for everyone.

 

[Canucker]

Thanks Matty,

I will ask about the birth plan at my next appointment. I also just talked to another friend who gave birth at QM 6 weeks ago and she also told me to fill out a birth plan and that the staff at QM were pretty good at following her wishes.

Best,
Canucker