“Besides the gestational diabetes, is there anything else that poses a risk?” I asked the sixth-year student who was examining the pregnant woman with me today.
He thought for a moment, “No, that’s it.”
“Okay, so it’s just diabetes,” I concluded. “But did I just say it’s just diabetes?” I reiterated my words and turned to the student.
“Do you know what risks gestational diabetes poses?” I continued to ask.
“Large baby, difficult delivery, excess amniotic fluid. After birth, the baby might have low blood sugar, thick blood, and jaundice requiring phototherapy. The mother also has a risk of preeclampsia,” he replied.
“That’s why we need to manage blood sugar well. We need to check and record blood sugar levels two hours after meals, ensuring it doesn’t exceed 120 milligrams per deciliter.” I looked at the pregnant woman with a round belly. She smiled and nodded in agreement. Often, when teaching my students, I explain to the patients at the same time.
“Do you know that besides being safe from diabetes complications due to our care, this patient is also safe from black magic?”
What! What kind of lesson is this?
I believe some readers of this article might think this, and my student probably thought the same. He stared at me.
“Really,” I said in a slightly higher pitch.
“Not affected by black magic, not harmed by evil spirits, and the baby boy in the womb is safe too.” Then I pointed to the large brooch pinned on her shirt near her belly. Nowadays, pregnant women often wear such brooches. There are many products available in various styles, unlike the plain brooches of the past. Now they look like stylish clothing accessories, with dangling charms that are cute.
“To ward off bad things,” a pregnant woman once told me long ago. She said she wore it before attending a funeral.
Not just ordinary people, even pregnant doctors wear them.
“But I’ve read, doctor,” this time our beautiful pregnant woman spoke up. “They say wearing it lets people know you’re pregnant, so when you’re out and about, people around you will be more cautious and helpful. Like the other day, my friend wore such a brooch on the train, and someone gave up their seat for her,” she explained.
“Well, I think even without the brooch, it’s obvious you’re pregnant,” I quickly retorted, as if maintaining a belief in talismans, haha.
“If you want people to know a pregnant woman is coming, I think using a brooch with a dangling bell would be good. The sound would be clear,” I said jokingly.
“Actually, if you use this concept, it’s good too. If someone isn’t pregnant but is very overweight,” I dragged out the word because I always insist that obesity is a disease, “they could try wearing such a brooch on the bus. Maybe others will think they’re pregnant and give up their seat, pretending to be pregnant.”
There you go, just keep going on and on.
Thanapan Chuboon didn’t wear one when his wife was pregnant.
December 13, 2024
Source: Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Chuboon
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