9 more weeks, folks! That is, if I manage to NOT go overdue this time. 😉
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how much I enjoy reading birth related books when I am pregnant. Well, this week I want to tell you about a wonderfully inspirational book by midwife, Kathy Brace.
I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened the cover of Born to Deliver. Most of the books I have read that were authored by midwives have been a collection of birth stories with little to no mention of the spiritual life of the midwife herself. Born to Deliver went far beyond this and drew me into a life story that could only have been written by God.
From the moment I began reading, I was captivated. I read of a young women who ran from relationship to relationship and had baby after baby in the hopes that something would finally bring her peace, happiness, and fulfillment. Kathy’s story brought me to tears more than once as I empathized with her pain and inability to claw her way out of the messiness of her life.
As the Lord revealed Himself to Kathy, it became apparent that the tapestry of her life was not a string of random events, but carefully woven threads, leading her heart to Christ, the only One who could be everything she had ever wanted and needed.
This is not a book about the beauty of a midwife’s hands as she attends a birth and helps to bring new life into this world, but rather it is the story of the healing hands of a Savior Who can take worldliness and heartache and bring new life and purpose to the broken and lost. Kathy’s midwifery skills are not for her glory. They are for Christ’s.
Born to Deliver was not what I expected. It was better. Much, much better.
If you are interested in getting a copy for yourself, Born to Deliver goes on sale November 20, but you can preorder now at Amazon.com. To learn more about Born to Deliver and the two women who brought this book to life (Kathy Brace and Natalie Wickham – whom you may recognize as the author of Pajama School), stop by the website BorntoDeliver.com
**********************
This past Tuesday found me in the hospital with an IV iron infusion and my 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test. It was not the most pleasant thing I’ve ever endured (they sent us to the wrong lab, they couldn’t find my orders, I ended up with 2 extra shots I knew nothing about, and they hit a nerve with one of the shots so I couldn’t move my arm for an hour), but I survived. The best part was I had my husband there the entire time and he took me out later for a sympathy-date. 🙂
I chose not to try to “fool the test” by eating totally raw or having no sugar or carbs whatsoever in the week leading up to the test. However, I did go back to the whole foods diet I had been following prior to my pregnancy, which is so much easier on your body anyway.
When I didn’t hear anything back from the doctor’s office on Wednesday, I decided to call Thursday morning just in case the hospital forgot to fax the result. The nurse called me back yesterday afternoon with the wonderful news that I do not have Gestational Diabetes!
So, I appreciate all your prayers and well wishes and advice. I still plan to maintain a more whole foods diet than what I had been. I’ve been trying out new recipes and perusing websites for inspiration.
My doctor also does not anticipate the need for any more infusions throughout this pregnancy, so that was welcome news too!
Have a blessed weekend and if you have a moment, head over to FreeHomeschoolDeals.com and check out my post on using Holiday Baking as Your Homeschool Curriculum.
Kristin says
I’m so glad that it looks like your infusions are done – YAY!
On the GD result, I would try to monitor your blood sugar still, and definitely try to avoid cookies, cakes, pastas and breads as much as possible (Ha, easier said that done through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, right? LOL). Your blood sugar results seem to be frightfully similar to what mine were my last pregnancy (I’m watching closely this pregnancy for similar signs). I have some blood sugar issues anyway (for instance, when it gets low, I MUST always get food in my right away, lest I risk passing out), I have always failed my 1 hour test (with the exception of 1 pregnancy) and have always passed my 3 hour test.
However, with my last pregnancy, my dr noticed that I began spilling sugar in my urine. By the 3rd or 4th appt that he saw the sugar, he decided to go ahead and (in the 11th hour) put me on a diabetic diet. He was cautious and didn’t feel the need to say gestational diabetes at all. He said, he just wanted to be sure. Baby girl was born at 38 weeks, 10 lbs even, and had to be fed sugar water and put on a drip. It was completely heart breaking. I’ll never forget my dr (ahem, he is no longer my dr) saying moments after her birth, “Well, so you DID have gestational diabetes.” Anyway, my point is, keep watching, and be as careful as you can. You definitely won’t regret it!
Blessing to you and your precious babe! I’ll be joining you in that amazing newborn stage about 2 months after you! We are blessed!
Lori Poppinga says
Great news! Glad your hubby could be with you through that trying day.
The book sounds fantastic! I will have to look at getting that one~I am always a sucker for a good book.
Keep up the God work.
tamela says
Baby steps to being closer to having the little one in arms… Be of Good Courage… Wonderful news about the Gestational Diabetes..
Sarah says
Praise the Lord you do not have GD! I am so excited about Kathy’s book. She is my midwife (delivering 4 of my 5 children). She has been such a blessing and answer to my prayers! I thank the Lord for her often! I’m a bit jealous that you’ve already read her book – – – I am trying to wait patiently until I receive my copy!
Amy says
You will love it! 🙂
Megan says
Praise the Lord!
bonny says
Yay, no GD!! 🙂 Will keep praying for you and baby through the home stretch……
Kim @ Homestead Acres says
So glad to hear there is no diabetes!! Thank you for sharing about the Born to Deliver book. It sounds like a great read.
Tanya says
Glad to hear the tests went well, I hope your iron levels improve enough that you don’t need anymore IVs and that you continue to feel good.
As an aside–it’s probably a good thing you didn’t reduce carbs before your test. People who eat low carb can have higher blood sugars when they DO suddenly get a bunch of carbs, like the 3-hour test. I’m not sure if a week would’ve been enough to see a change, but a fair number of women who typically eat low carb, who opt to do the GD testing in pregnancy, fail simply because their bodies have reduced their insulin sensitivity because of the low carb diet (I mean people who didn’t switch to LC *because* of insulin sensitivity issues). And they can regain their insulin sensitivity by eating more carbs for several days or a week.
Take care, and again congrats on the newest little one!
Lisa W. says
Yeah! I’m so excited for your little one’s arrival. <3
Relieved that they did not diagnose GDM, and really happy that you chose not to 'fool the test'. I am often disappointed when I read tips from other, well-meaning, mammas who have all sorts of tips and hints to try and fool the different prenatal tests like the GTT and the GBS swab. Very discouraging.
However, reading of the changes you were making to truly improve health and not just prep for a test, was a real encouragement to me. I need to be willing to make life changes for the health and safety of the baby. My comfort certainly takes a back seat in this season.
Hope you have a great weekend. (And by the way, you look great!!)
Julie says
Yay for you!!! Blessings as you finish out your journey.
Shalom,
Julie
Susan says
Amy, I would love to send you a book that my midwife wrote during a very dark time in her life. It is called Count it all Joy. It tells about different families and their births and what theLord taught each of them through their different experiences. She is a God fearing woman and I was blessed to have her alongside for my last 3 babies and also my miscarriages. If you would e-mail me your address I will send you a copy.
Blessings, Susan