Chronic Illness/Condition/Pain and Birth

[Lulu]

I also think a contributing factor for my less-stress-ness was the fact I was used to hospital and medical staff iykwim?
I don't think I had the 'white coat' factor because I was ok with questioning those wearing them. At that stage hospital and it's smells etc was a place of comfort and relief for me.

Once I knew my body could cope ok (it was a bit unknown then - cardiac issues), I was fine to birth someplace different later on.

xoxoxo

[Mildez]

I was always worried how my chronic illness would effect me in labour. One thing for me is I can not have an epidural. That meant that if I wasn't coping with the pain there was no other options as far as I was concerned. Also in the event I needed a c/s I would have a general anaethetic. Something I would never ever want unless it was life or death for me or bub. I was lucky to have a straight forward (but prem) labour and when I felt like I needed more pain relief it was almost over and nothing could have been done except birth my DD lol. Really I was in agony for about 30mins where I was a mess until she was born.
What I didn't expect was the pain after birth. It didn't start until I woke the first night I had her (about 12hrs later) and continued in a major flare up for over a week. It was a month until I felt ok again and she was 14months of age before it was under good control again.
I am not sure what chronic illness you have so can't really offer specific advise on what might help. For me in the future (as we are ttc again) I am definately seeing my neurologist about a safe pain relief to start as soon as I birth (thats suitable to take whilst breastfeeding). For me there is nothing much that can be done except in the postnatal period as thats when I am most likely to have relapse.
I have whats called systemic inflammatory polyneuropathy. Its has a similar disease path to MS causes the myelin which is the nerve coverings to get damaged so I feel pain differently. When I am having a relapse even light touch can be painful and I constantly have pins and needles and very painful dead legs. Basically my nerves are working over time (to heat, touch etc) as they are not protected like they should be.
The preparing for afterbirth like meals etc is a good idea incase your not feeling well enough to cook. Maybe accept more help then usual for housework, looking after older children, etc.
If its something like I have or RA maybe a good medication plan might also help.
Can you speak to your Dr or midwife about how your condition might affect you in labour and if anything they do will be different or could be to help you out?
I too have been in remission both my pregnancies from around 8-10weeks onwards. I didn't have any problems during my pregnancies with the pain (in comparison to when I am not pregnant) which I think helped the birth as my nerves had repaired themselves to a degree. It was postnatal that the problems really started and that was very quick but I guess working hard in labour was a trigger for the relapse.

[HotI]

I was always worried how my chronic illness would effect me in labour. One thing for me is I can not have an epidural. That meant that if I wasn't coping with the pain there was no other options as far as I was concerned.

Emmy,

Thanks for sharing your story. I have had enough needles in my spine, that i really don't want another if it is not critical. I have escaped unscathed so far but don't want to take risks of damage. So, not the same as medically not possible, but i have taken epidural off my list of possibilities. Being able to move around really helps me cope with symptoms normally, so during birth i also want to be able to be as active as possible and an epidural would make this more difficult.

My condition is metabolic/neurological and fairly rare so not alot of info around about it in conjunction with pregnancy. I have a great neuro but with all other health professionals i usually end up educating them on the condition rather than finding out any info. I have found a couple of women on-line with my condition who have had children, and it has been good to hear their stories.

I am impressed that you are going back a second time. Guess having your little one is worth it in the end. Hope you have a smooth journey and easier post-birth time next time.

take care,

Kate

[Mildez]

Sounds like you already have some good plans for helping Kate. You probably would get more help from women who have the same condition as yourself yo ask advise from.
Me also can physically have an epidural but as I got an infection almost 20 years ago which is what caused my polyneuropathy nothing can enter my spine. No aneathetist will do that even know physically there is no reason they couldn't do it except for the risk it would place on my already deteriorating nerves.
I am looking forward to pregnancy to relief some of the discomfort (not thats thats why I want a baby) except not so excited about what happens after birth. I guess next time I will be more preparred then last time. Its hard when you can't see the problem. Wiggling around in agony and no one can see what the problem is. I am lucky in that way that I work where I birth and the midwives and Drs know that is out of character for me.

[HotI]

I also think a contributing factor for my less-stress-ness was the fact I was used to hospital and medical staff iykwim?
I don't think I had the 'white coat' factor because I was ok with questioning those wearing them. At that stage hospital and it's smells etc was a place of comfort and relief for me.

Once I knew my body could cope ok (it was a bit unknown then - cardiac issues), I was fine to birth someplace different later on.

xoxoxo

Lulu

I came back to write something similar to your first sentence. I was misdiagnosed and untreated for many years and understand that doctors don't always have the answers or know everything, even when they sometimes think they do This means that i am comfortable (my DH would probably say TOO comfortable) in questioning medical professionals and asking for reasons before going ahead with treatment or tests.

Although i don't think i would go as far to say that hospital is a place of comfort or relief for me! But i do realise that sometimes they are necessary.

If all goes well this time, i think i (and hopefully those close to me) will also be more comfortable to look at other places next time.