My autistic son riding Chicago's CTA. He loves trains.Ten years ago when I had my first son, Autism wasn't in the news as much as it is today. The only example I'd ever really seen was Dustin Hoffman's version in the movie Rain Man. Autism felt a million miles away from me then.
Today, it's part of my every day life. At age two, my son began being evaluated for Autism while we were living in Norway -- I'd been concerned since he was one year-old, and before he'd had the MMR vaccination.
Now in fourth grade, my son PJ is a happy and sweet little boy, but will forever struggle with the challenges that come with Autism. Most of his days are spent in his own little world, looking at the rest of us like we're from another planet. Even the simple thought of a typical birthday party can sometimes overwhelm him. He will need help for the rest of his life.
Pre-term Labor & Terbutaline
Me pregnant with my 3rd, my son PJ, and my mom Cathy. Bonus advice: resist the urge to chop your hair off when pregnant, it never ends well.Terbutaline is a beta 2 adrenergic agonist drug -- which means that it treats asthma symptoms. Of course, the U.S. Air Force doctor who injected me with it during pre-term labor with PJ didn't tell me that. She said it was a drug to help prevent early labor. Then, when it didn't work, she injected me with it again -- an act which caused the nurse at the time to be surprised (apparently she'd never seen them inject women with it twice). Neither did the dear 'ol doc tell me that prescribing Terbutaline for pre-term labor is an off-label, non FDA-approved usage of that drug.
Today Johns Hopkins published a new study in December 2009's issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, saying that asthma medicines (the generic Terbutaline being one of the most common) used on fetuses is linked to increasing the chance of Autism. Researchers at John's Hopkins had previously speculated this might be true.
To sum up in extreme layman's terms: Children with a certain gene present could have their brains become Autistic when asthma medications are used on them as fetuses. And you won't know whether they were affected until it's too late.
If I'd only known then what I know now, I would have said no. I would never have let the doctor inject my pregnant body with a toxic substance. And when one says no to a medical professional -- no means no. I am the one who is responsible for my health, and that of my child, not only the doctor. Over the years -- and perhaps partly because of this experience -- I've learned to have bigger balls and advocate more strongly for my kids in the U.S. healthcare system.
In fact, I had already decided not to have an epidural or any other pain medications during labor because I was worried they'd someday find those drugs were harmful to fetuses. But somehow I knew, even then, that I shouldn't have let them give me Terbutaline. And that's how I remember it all so well.
It's that little instinctive voice inside you that says, "hmmm, not really sure about that." At very least I could've asked more questions about the drug. But the doctor was the one who went to medical school -- and I was having contractions. A friend of mine had recently been injected with it during her pre-term labor and seemed fine. I was young. I felt intimidated, helpless, and not at the top of my game.
Unfortunately, right now, somewhere in the United States, a woman is being injected with Terbutaline to prevent early labor -- it's still the "go-to" method, and quite common practice.
A Birth Plan and A Pre-Term Labor Plan
If I had it to do all over again, I would not only have written a birth plan -- which I did, as even in the 90s they had become popular -- I would have also written a pre-term labor plan. It would include things about medications, like:
- Use only drugs as approved by the FDA for treatment of pre-term labor.
- Inform me of the drug, it's normal usage, and the how the dosage will affect the fetus before administering any medicines.
- Ask if my partner (or family member) or I have any further questions before administering any drugs.
- If I, or my designated partner, says no to any particular drug: no means no.
I would encourage any pregnant woman, someone with a loved one who is expecting, or anyone planning to have children soon, to come up with a backup plan in case you go into early labor. It's something you won't regret doing, but I can guarantee you, not having one is something you could regret -- just as I do.