Free
This week saw me once again heading off in the direction of the hospital, this time for my follow up Glucose Tolerance Test. Having been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and warned that it could mean I had Diabetes for life, I was understandably apprehensive. In most cases it disappears once the baby is born so I was hopeful, but you never know and I was worried. Three blood tests, two hours and a disgusting glucose drink later and I am informed that it has gone. I am free of it. At least until the next time I am pregnant.
We then trip trapped off for Ruby's hearing screening in the ante-natal clinic. It was quite odd to be there amongst the pregnant women, all of whom were looking as tired, bored and sick of sitting there every week like I had been. It seems like a different lifetime already. The midwife was lovely, I do not suppose they get to meet all that many of the babies they have looked after once they are born so it was nice to return with the beautiful Ruby. Elizabeth came straight over and made gleeful noises in our direction and I was very proud of my perfect baby girl. Ruby's hearing was given the green light and we trundled off home. It feels strange that I do not have to go there any more, do not have to watch Baby TV show the same things over and over whilst waiting to see a series of consultants, nurses, midwives and obstetricians. In a tiny, weird way, I think I might miss it.
We watched Michael Moore's 'Sicko' recently and were reminded how lucky we are with our NHS. We are very quick to complain, sometimes with good reason, but we do not always give praise where it goes right. So I would like to say thank-you to the staff at QEQM Hospital Margate, Canterbury Birthing Centre, the midwives and Health Visitors at QVMH, my GP and the ante-natal clinic staff at KCH for helping me through my 'high-risk' pregnancy with smiles, good humour, reassurance and patience.
..but anyway, putting sentimentality aside, I can now return to a proper diet, safe in the knowledge that my blood sugar is not going to rollercoaster any more...chocolate, potatoes, roast beef Monster Munch! I may even have my Christmas dinner now! Ruby and I have survived Gestational Diabetes unscathed. Ruby was not a huge baby, she was able to go full term and be delivered naturally and I can still eat marmite potatoes. Hurrah!
