Hypothyroidism doesn’t have to mean you can’t have a fabulous, healthy pregnancy! Although it may slightly complicate your pregnancy, in the end, your pregnancy could be as uneventful as that of a woman with a normal functioning thyroid.
Thyroid problems affect an estimated 59 million Americans, the vast majority of them women. Few women, however, are aware of the critical relationship between the thyroid gland - our master gland of metabolism - and nearly every aspect of child-bearing. As a woman, your thyroid can affect your fertility, your ability to become pregnant and maintain a healthy pregnancy, postpartum health, successful breastfeeding, and even the health of your baby.
Answers to many of your questions related to hypothyroidism and pregnancy are available online at Pregnancy and Hypothyroidism/Frequently Asked Questions, including the following:

• How do I know if I’m hypothyroid?
• What can I do to ensure my health - or my baby’s health - doesn’t suffer due to my hypothyroidism?
• Why is early medical attention during pregnancy so important?
• Am I taking a big a risk in becoming pregnant with a dysfunctional thyroid?
• How do I deal with my special needs for medical advice about medications and managing my thyroid during pregnancy?
• I really want to have a drug-free pregnancy. Should I stop taking my thyroid medication?
  
• Will my thyroid medications interfere with breastfeeding?
• What is the risk that my baby will inherit my Hashimoto’s disesase?

“It’s heartening to note,”says Mary Shomon, the author of this article, “That most women with thyroid disease are able to have an uneventful pregnancy and healthy baby. I did myself, back in 1997!”

Mary Shomon’s Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Success, the popular 40-page mini-guide, is now incorporated into her new 406-page book: The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough: Overcoming Sexual and Hormonal Problems at Every Age.

Among other topics relating to hypothyroidism, it contains information on:

That whole warning they give you before the epidural (you have one in a million chances of being paralyzed for life, yada yada yada) didn’t deter me, although my husband looked like he as about to faint. I happily signed my life away and prepared for blissful numbness to descend…

Having survived two epidurals unscathed, by the grace of God, I really think that is the optimal way to birth babies. After watching this video, the super queasy might not think so, but then I’d say they have never actually been in labaor. For anyone who’s curious about what happens during an epidural, here’s a nifty little video:

What Happens During an Epidural?

Writing a Father’s Day card or speech? Putting together a personalized project in honor of Dad? Don’t shy away from expressing those warm feelings to your father! If you want to make him feel special, searching for just the right quote can awaken and rebuild long lost relationships. And if you are a dad yourself, take pride in all that it means to be a father!

Humorous, profound, and loving, here are some favorite quotes to get you started:

Helen Rowland:
A man’s desire for a son is usually nothing but the wish to duplicate himself in order that such a remarkable pattern may not be lost to the world.

Austin O’Malley:
The worst misfortune that can happen to an ordinary man is to have an extraordinary father.

Charles Wadworth:
By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.

Sigmund Freud:
I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.

Imelda Marcos:
I have never been a material girl. My father always told me never to love anything that cannot love you back.

Knights of Pythagoras:
A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.

Mark Twain, Old Times on the Mississippi:
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.

Anne Sexton:
It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.

Ruth E. Renkel:
Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.

Clarence B. Kelland:
My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.

Looking for more? Try this!

I read a story in the news about a woman who delievered a baby in the hospital parking lot, aided by her husband who had experience delivering baby farm animals. The husband could not get into the building because he couldn’t locate the buzzer near the enterance, and the baby just wouldn’t wait any longer. Luckily he did have those births under his belt, and he was able to keep his cool and clear out mucus from the newborn’s throat which was blocking its breathing.  If not for that, I’m sure no one likes to think what could have happened!

Obviously, situations like this are very rare, but such thoughts might have crossed your mind: What do I do if I can’t make it to the hospital in time? What if I have a home birth and the midwife is late? What if I’m stuck in traffic or snowed in at home? If you’ve been pondering these possible situations, there’s nothing to stop you from being prepared for an emergency, and preparing your partner as well.

“When birth is imminent and medical help is unavailable, it is important to understand the normal course of labor and childbirth. The mother and anyone who is helping can make the birth easier and safer by knowing exactly what is happening and how best to help.”  The first step is to learn about the three stages of labor and how to help a laboring woman through each one by reading this Emergency Childbirth article at TheFarm.

Unsure whether there is time to transport the mother to the hospital? Med-help.net has the answers. You can also find additional information there about preparation for and delivery of the baby, with some helpful pictures for those visual learners.

In addition to discussing symptoms of an iminent birth and guidleines for delivery, DiscoveryHealth provides a list of emergency supplies to keep on hand. Things that should be included in your stash are: a flashlight, pillow, clean sheets and towels, suction bulb, sterile rubber gloves, clean scissors, and two clean cord ties.

It might be helpful to print out this 13-page reference guide (actually intended for medical students) and kept on hand.  There are many other sources of information that can be found online or in print, if having it hand will make you feel more relaxed. For a mere $299, the super-paranoid person can even order an emergency childbirth video.

A few words of caution:

•Try not to interfere with the birth. Your job is simply to support the woman and “catch” the emerging baby.

•Keep your hands outside of the birth canal.

•Don’t pull on the baby’s head or body or the umbilical cord.

•Never cut the umbilical cord unless specifically advised and coached by a health care professional.

•Don’t use harsh chemical products around mother or baby. Sterilized water and a mild soap work best.

Right after the birth of you baby is a very special time! You will cradle that bundle of joy in your arms for the very first time and, with the labor behind you, bask in the amazing feeling of motherhood. Although you probably want to enjoy this time uninterrupted, the doctors and nurses may whisk your baby away to perform several important tests and procedures.

You can request a little more time to bond with your baby. But here’s an overview of the care you can expect from the hospital staff, from WomensHealth.gov:

Apgar Evaluation

The Apgar test is a quick way for doctors to figure out if the baby is healthy or needs extra medical care. Apgar tests are usually done twice: one minute after birth and again five minutes after birth. Doctors and nurses measure 5 signs of the baby’s condition. These are:

• heart rate
• breathing
• activity and muscle tone
• reflexes
• skin color

Apgar scores range from 0 to10. A baby who scores 7 or more is considered very healthy. But a lower score doesn’t always mean there is something wrong. Perfectly healthy babies often have low Apgar scores in the first minute of life.

In more than 98% of cases, the Apgar score reaches 7 after 5 minutes of life. When it does not, the baby needs medical care and close monitoring.

Eye Care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all newborns receive eye drops or ointment to prevent infections they can get during delivery. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including gonorrhea and chlamydia are a main cause of newborn eye infections. These infections can cause blindness when left untreated.

Silver nitrate, erythromycin, and tetracycline are the three medicines used in newborns’ eyes. These medicines can sting and/or blur the baby’s vision. So you may want to postpone this treatment for a little while.

Some parents question whether this treatment is really necessary. Many women at low risk for STDs do not want their newborns to receive eye medicine. But there is no evidence to suggest that this medicine harms the baby.

It is important to note that even pregnant women who test negative for STDs may get an infection by the time of delivery. Plus, most women with gonorrhea and/or chlamydia don’t know it because they have no symptoms.

Vitamin K Shot

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive a shot of vitamin K in the upper leg. Newborns usually have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies. This vitamin is needed for the blood to clot. Low levels of vitamin K can cause a rare but serious bleeding problem. Research shows that vitamin K shots prevent dangerous bleeding in newborns.

Newborns probably feel pain when the shot is given. But afterwards babies don’t seem to have any discomfort. Since it may be uncomfortable for the baby, you may want to postpone this shot for a little while.

Newborn Metabolic Screening

Doctors or nurses prick your baby’s heel to take a tiny sample of blood. They use this blood to test for many diseases.

All 50 states require testing for at least two disorders: phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism. But many states test for up to 30 different diseases: All of these problems are impossible to spot without a blood test. And if left untreated they can cause mental retardation and even death. The March of Dimes recommends that all newborns be tested for at least 29 diseases.

Hearing Test

Many hospitals offer newborn hearing tests. Tiny earphones or microphones are used to see how the baby reacts to sounds. Newborn hearing tests can spot hearing problems early. This can help cut the risk of serious language and speech problems.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Most hospitals now suggest that newborns get a vaccine to protect against the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a lifelong infection, serious liver damage and even death.

The hepatitis B vaccine is a series of three different shots. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that all newborns get the first shot soon after birth or before leaving the hospital. If the mother does not have hepatitis B, the first shot can wait for 2 months. The second and last shot should be given before 18 months of age.

Complete Check-up

Soon after delivery most doctors or nurses also:

• Measure the newborn’s weight, length, and head.
• Take the baby’s temperature.
• Measure his breathing and heart rates
• Give the baby a bath and clean the umbilical cord stump.

Ms Graves  says the hospital is discriminating against her. “It’s my local public hospital. I should have access to it.”

But Dr Christine Tippett, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says directing obese pregnant women to high-needs maternity units is in their best interest. “Women who are seriously overweight have to recognise that it is not only a risk to their health but that the pregnancy can be associated with problems, and it is better to go somewhere where there are more people available. It is done with the woman’s best interests in mind and it should not be seen as discrimination at all. It is safe medical practice.”

Obesity can lead to high blood pressure and pregnancy diabetes. Ultrasounds and monitering babies during labor are more difficult. Epidurals are harder to administer, and it is more difficult to operate if an obese woman needs to go to theatre.

For these reasons, as well as other general health matters, and the health of the baby, its important for obese women planning to get pregnant to deal with their weight issue. Get more info here.

The article also claims that there are a growing number of women who are “too posh to push” and actually plan an operation for their own convenience.  Of course an emergency Caesarean birth can be life-saving, but planned surgery is risky due to complications. The recovery is often more taxing as well.

Consultant obstetrician Professor James Walker said that having a Caesarean can cause problems in subsequent pregnancies because the placenta, or afterbirth, can grow into the scar. The scar also affects the development of the womb lining, which may lead to excessive bleeding during delivery that can only be stopped by a hysterectomy. ”A first Caesarean is a safe procedure but it leaves a scar that can increase the risks next time. There is no reason for women to be frightened, the numbers having a hysterectomy are still low, but it’s a factor that should be taken into account when discussing the balance of risks and benefits for Caesareans.”

 So I started feeling contractions on Friday morning, but I didn’t even mention them to my husband, David, or sister who’s staying with us, because I wasn’t even sure I was having them. But by around 2:00 I was like, “Oh, by the way, I think I’m having contractions” and then began the super-annoying process of trying to count them and time them and all that.  I didnt have much chance to focus because darn it, there was a lot to take care of before I could get around to having a baby!  Finally around 3:15 we went to the hospital, becuase although the contractions were not very strong, they were getting more frequent.

I was 3 cm dialated when we got there. Accepted the enima as graciously as one can accept an enima, it’s actually kind of nice in away… You feel so cleaned out afterward! David kept saying he wished he could have one too. LOL. But they didnt offer him one…

The midwife poked me three times before getting a “good vein” for the IV, that might have been the worst part of the whole labor, the way they poke you and dig around inside your arm. Ugh! I have these huge nasty bruises where they failed to find an acceptable vein (want pictures??). So eventually the contractions got worse and I was like, OK, where’s my epidural??? For some reason it took an hour or so until the doctor was able to come and give it to me. And I was so unhappy because aside from the contractions, they made me lay there on the stupid moniter and the most uncomfortable position for me was laying on my back and I think it made me gassy, so there was extra pressure in that abdominal area and my back hurt and I was not happy about it. Even trying to turn over on my side was not helpful. And the IV was bothering me too. It was very annoying. So finally I got my epidural, but last time they gave me the type where I could administer it myself, and it was such a pleasure. This time they just gave me a little bit, and I had to ask for more becuase it wasn’t working. And once it did start working, I got the shakes and I was so cold and shaky and even though I couldnt feel the contractions I was still not a happy camper. I wanted to sleep but I couldn’t lie down becuase it was too uncomfortable, and my feet felt like ice and I was all shakey and felt wretched. *sigh* so much for my bright dreams of a peaceful, comfortable labor. But definitely better than not having the epidural at all.

Anyway at about 12:25 they checked me and there was the head! A few pushes and the head was out, and then the midwife yelled for help, and another midwife came in and together they pulled out the rest of the baby (I pushed a little to help them along, nice of me, huh?) It was kind of a funny sight with my legs every which way and the 2 midwives pulling with all their might. Funny, but probably not very pretty. Anyway, out he came, all 4 kilo of him, and as I said before I was not bowled over by the first impression. But dont worry, I am growing to love him more He is such a good, sweet little baby. And he’s a boy, so he doesn’t have to be a beauty…

Thank G-d a million time I didn’t tear, so no stitches, and it makes a world of a difference in the recovery! I feel like a normal person, and last time it was painful to go to the bathroom and even walk around! The contractions I got during nursing were pretty bad for the first few days but thankfully we are over that too. I actually feel really good (don’t tell that to my  mother who’s been scrubbing my apartment, cooking and shopping for me!).

So there you have it, labor and delivery in all their exciting, glamous detail. Just glad it’s over and glad to have the little fellow out in the wide wonderful world, instead of in me! Can’t say much for the post-partum figure but I guess now we just wait patiently in our roomiest sweaters…

Although 40 weeks is just an estimate (and often miscalculated), standard policy seems to be induction at 42 weeks (that’s what happened to me last time). Those who  follow this rule claim there are several risks to letting a baby stew for longer. AboutKidsHealth gives the following reasons:

• The placenta can get old. The placenta grows inside your uterus and keeps the baby alive inside your body. If the placenta is getting old, it can slow down or stop your baby from growing. Alternately, if it keeps functioning some say the baby can grow “too big”, making your labour harder and longer.

• There is a higher chance your baby will have some kind of problem during labour and birth if you are overdue, including insufficient oxygen.

• If the liquid from the amniotic sac leaks out, the baby could get an infection.

iVillage lists these possible complications:

• The risk of fetal death and stillbirth is considerably higher in postmature babies.
• The risk of macrosomia (very large baby) and dysfunctional labor is higher.
• There is an increased risk for operative delivery (cesarean, forceps and vacuum).
• More intervention is done for postdates pregnancies (induction, monitors, IVs and testing).
• The risk of infection and hemorrhage goes up slightly.
• Meconium, which is often present in the fluid of a postdates baby, can be aspirated into the lungs. This necessitates suctioning and careful observation to prevent pneumonia.

But I like other ways of thinking much better. How about this one, from Birthsong: “When your body is fully ready to open up and birth your baby, it will happen. Your baby will be perfectly prepared. Your body will be fully ready.”

Compleat Mother sings the same tune: “Mothers carry everything they need within them, whether it is the wisdom and power to seek out necessary help or to give birth completely alone. During pregnancy, just like during labor, mothers don’t need to be searching for problems, but instead remaining receptive to messages their bodies give them. As a general rule just take good care of yourself and your baby, be “in tune” with your inner wisdom, and don’t let arbitrary rules and measures influence you.”

I guess this reasoning appeals to me since I’ve always been a “go with the flow” type of person. Why not let nature run it’s course, as long as you are being responsible and doing all you can to ensure a healthy baby? I’m going for the post-date monitering and ultrasounds. As long as the doctors do not sense anything going wrong, I’m content to just wait it out and let this baby come when it’s ready.