Patient Stories--Miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and triumph!

Gestational Diabetes, Miscarriage, and Triumph!

First of all--What is Gestational Diabetes?

(photo credit:  http://www.diabetesinfo.org.au/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes/types/gestational-diabetes)

The above article is very interesting and informative.

The rest of the pictures on that page give us more details.  

(Thank you diabetesinfo.org.au)

What about Nepal?  Does this condition occur here?

YES!

To read one study about it, visit this page:

http://www.jaypeejournals.com/eJournals/ShowText.aspx?ID=689&Type=FREE&TYP=TOP&IN=_eJournals/images/JPLOGO.gif&IID=65&isPDF=YES


What is Miscarriage?  It's another word for heartbreak.

Having a baby is one of the most joyful and normal passages of life.
Little girls play with their dolls and dream of the day they will become a mother.

(photo credit:  shutterstock.com)

Thankfully, for most women, there are no complications and every moment is happy.

However, this is not the case for all women.

To read about the heartbreak of miscarriage, we direct you to this article by Dr. Singh, an
associate professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences:
 http://www.hamrohealth.com/Information/all-you-need-to-know-about-miscarriage.html
(Thank you Dr. Singh.)

(There are actually many other informative health articles on this website.)

Our patient story for today is the story of Saraswoti & Som Prasad,
and it could be the story of countless other couples.
We thank them for allowing us to tell their story.
It is their hope that other couples going through what they did will not give up!

They never gave up, and after lots of heartbreak, they finally experienced triumph!
They are now the proud and happy parents of a handsome and healthy baby boy!

However, their story is not the usual story.
They had a long and hard uphill battle before they got their happy ending.

Their message to other young couples who may be experiencing one or both
of the problems they experienced (yes, they experienced both of the above)
or any other fertility problem is this:

NEVER GIVE UP!  YOUR SORROW COULD TURN TO HAPPINESS AND JOY!


(photo credit:  pinterest.com)

Look at their precious glorious triumph!


They want their story to be told so they can encourage other young couples
who may be going through the same difficulties they went through.
It's helpful to know you are not alone--whatever your health issue is!

(photo credit:  twibbon.com)

As all young couples do, Saraswoti and Som looked forward to starting their family.
They were young and healthy!
The fact that something MIGHT go wrong never even entered their minds.
No one they knew had ever had trouble conceiving and carrying a child to term.
It's just a normal part of life, right?

Not always!

For Saraswoti and Som, as well as countless other couples,
it was not going to be an easy task.

Conceiving was never a problem for the young couple.
However, three times they suffered a miscarriage.
THREE TIMES!

During these heartbreaking moments, they had to rely on each other
and their families and friends.

(photo credit:  weheartit.com)

If you or any of your loved ones are going through this, don't suffer in silence.
Be there for each other!

This excellent article gives you advice on how to cope and what to say, etc.,
when loved ones experience this.
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-loss/supporting-others/

You will read about the loss the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
are feeling too.  This heartbreak effects the whole family.

After each miscarriage, Saraswoti and Som picked themselves up and carried on.


(photo credit:  pixgood.com)

When her fourth pregnancy was confirmed, they were hopeful,
yet naturally nervous.  She felt fine and the couple settled in to enjoy the pregnancy.

In her seventh month, during a routine blood test, her doctor in Kathmandu
announced she had gestational diabetes!

WHAT?!?!?

How could this be?  She felt fine!  Yes, her father had contracted Type 2 Diabetes at age 65,
but he was the only one in the family with diabetes!  She had no symptoms!
Yes, often gestational diabetes has no symptoms!
This is why it's so important to go to prenatal check-ups!!!

Now it was time to study and take action!  Here is another article about this disease:
http://www.medicinenet.com/gestational_diabetes/article.htm

At this point, her doctor in Kathmandu told her to find a doctor closer to home
to help her manage the diabetes.  Here is where we come in!

Dr. Lavona Pilli, one of our OB/GYNs, became her doctor.  Dr. Lavona put her on a special diet
along with medications for gestational diabetes.  She followed Dr. Lavona's instructions to the letter!  This is something very important to note!  Had she not been serious about following
her doctor's orders, the outcome might have been very different.
To read about the diet and medications, we refer you to the above medicinenet.com article again.

During her eighth month, Saraswoti had to start giving herself insulin injections every day.

(photo credit:  lookfordiagnosis.com)

It was a small price to pay for the health of her precious little one still growing inside her womb.
Saraswoti felt strong, and the young couple came in every third day for a check-up with Dr. Lavona.

Right on time little Babu (little boy!) made his entrance into the world!
He was perfect and healthy and so very handsome!

Like many before her, and many after her, Saraswoti's gestational diabetes
disappeared right after she gave birth!  She could now concentrate on just being a mom!
Som could now concentrate on just being a dad!

Grandma could enjoy the pleasures of being a grandmother!


Babu slept through Mommy's post-birth check-up with Dr. Lavona!

He finally woke up as it was time to go home.

Goodbye Babu!  We'll see you next time!
We're so glad you're here and so is your brave family!

Please don't hesitate to come in for a consultation with one of our OB/GYNs
if you have questions about this or any female condition.
That's what we're here for!

Blessings and see you next time!