Just found out I'm Pregnant...

[Sherry5]

Apparently, I'm pregnant. My husband and I had just decided that we were absolutely not going to get pregnant for a couple more years. We wanted to get a handle on this new IC thing first. Physically and emotionally. I wanted to give the Elmiron a chance to work, etc. My overly fertile body did not get the memo.

I know this IC contributed to the complications of my last pregnancy, and now that it is full blown, I am afraid it will be ten times worse. I have been cramping horribly for the last few days, and I am afraid it will continue for the next nine months. I am barely four weeks pregnant. Boy, writing this down makes it seem way too real. I have gained 15 pounds in the last two months, and now it will get so much worse. Can I start working out through the pain?

Somebody please tell me their IC coping strategies for pregnancy so that I can feel this is manageable. I know I have a bad attitude right now, I just really need to get a grip on this thing. I need to feel like this will be manageable. I need to know that my three children will not suffer terribly because of this.

Any one have any ideas?

[dancemomof2]

First off big Congrats to you.

If I didn't kno better I would have sworn I wrote your post. You described my battle to a T. My IC was a raging nightmare and boom my fertile myrtle body became pregnant also. My son is now 7 months old and the greatest IC booster. I am in severe pain and just went through the Interstim procedures. I go forward everyday with no or minimal pain meds because this baby needs me, and rely's on me. They are such a gift, and apparently this was god's way of telling me that IC was getting me down ans I needed a "little" pick me up to trudge on. Take care. You will make it, I promise. I made it through my pregnancy with Visteril for a major flare, and a percocet every now and then when the pain was totally unbearable. Keep us posted and pm me if you need anything at all.

[Babs RN]

Congrats first of all. I wasn't dx with IC when I was pregnant but if the pain is severe there are ways it can be dealt with and not cause harm to your wee one. Talk to your doc and be upfront and honest...if you get nowhere at home...go see a high risk perinatologist that deals with high risk moms and monitors the baby even closer. We are here for you, we will get you through this.

Hugs and warm healing thoughts,
Barb :bunny: :grouphug: :smile tee :flower: :dance:

[Sherry5]

Thanks Babs! I was on bedrest with my last baby for 5 months and saw the perinatologist every week. I had a shortened cervix and a lot of pre term labor. Looking back at it, I think all my pre term contractions could have been triggered by my sick bladder. I think it may have been an indication of IC rearing it's ugly head. That baby is now four years old and I was just diagnosed with IC two months ago.

Do you think they will send me straight to the peri since I have IC? I left a message with my DR. this morning telling him about my positive preg test and asked him to call me back regarding medication and coping strategies. He hasn't called me back yet. I am in so much pain right now, and I don't really know how to function.

By the way, I have a UTI right now, does anyone know if I can still take the bactrim? I would assume it would be harmless, but I would like to know.

Thank You!

[dyno]

Due to the problems with your last pregnacy I would want to go to the peri. I am glad you are checking with your Dr. about the meds too. Congrats. and I hope all goes well!

[Sherry5]

Thank you all! :grouphug:

It is funny how you people on this board have made me feel so much better when I don't even feel comfortable telling my own family. I don't plan on telling them for another three months. With this illness, I need support before then,(not that hey will be supportive) so I feel very fortunate for your feedback.

My one comfort is this. My first two pregnencies were planned, but my last one was not. It was a horribly difficult pregnancy, and probably the greatest challenge of my life. But my little boy (he is four now) is just fabulous and I can't imagine my life without him. He tells me I am his best friend! I am sure this one will be the same :)

[Sherry5]

Does anyone know if it is still O.K to use my heating pad?

[Babs RN]

I would definitely insist on seeing a perinatologist no matter what. Just having the issue with you last pregancy alone should justify it, but through in that IC and well...they better let you see him. You need a specialist like him or her to pull all the disciplines in(ie uro, pain management, OB's, peds(later))so you are given the opportunity for the best out come. Do you live near a teaching hospital or University Hospital? They tend to be on the forefront for care. I know alot of great guys and gals at Vanderbilt, even they guy who invented the fetal surgery for spina bifida. He is wonderful as a person and physician.

Good luck and let me know(PM, boards, e-mail) what I can do to help.

Hugs,
Barb :kissing: :grouphug:

[Sherry5]

With my last pregnancy, I was with Phoenix Perinatologist Association and saw a different Dr. practically every visit. The Dr. that delivered my baby was a stranger to me. I didn't feel like I got the best care, to tell you the truth. I also had to deliver at Desert Samaritan, and I vowed never to have a baby there again. (all three of my babies were delivered there. They have the best facilities for high risk pregnancies. and the worst nurses)

It is probably inevitable, though, given my problems. How can I make them be more personalized? Any ideas?

[contactjh2001]

Does anyone know if it is still O.K to use my heating pad?

Sherry:

According to my pregnancy book, you should definitely not be using a heating pad. It says that any environment that raises a women's temperature 1 1/2 to 2 degrees should be considered dangerous, since blood is shunted away from the uterus to the skin as the body attempts to reduce its temperature. I've just recently discovered that I am pregnant, right in the middle of an IC flare and went hunting on the web to see if I could use the heating pad, too. Many websites backed up my book, saying that it is too dangerous to use it. Hope this helps, but definitely call your OB.

[anxious one]

Hi Sherry, what a lot of women do is put the heating pad between their thighs. it still works a little without hurting the baby. :) Congrats!!!!!

sara

[Dixiefireball]

i would be afraid to use a heating pad while preg. it will raise your body temp in the sac. and cause harm to the baby.

the doctor told me not to even take hot hot baths while i was preg. because of this so i think a heating pad would do the same.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[fireflicker285]

Hang in there and see your peri doctor. Personally I think the shortened cervix has alot to due with the tendancy for preterm labour. Maybe IC too... I don't really know. I have severe IC and went overdue with my last pregnancy so all my contractions didnt' start the labour. I have no problems with my cervix though. My IC pain is really calming down. I am now starting my second trimester. So hang in there. Babies are worth it. I am sure everything will work out fine.
Sending best wishes your way....

[Sherry5]

fireflicker, after all of my bedrest and preterm labor, my contractions didn't put me into labor either. That is part of the reason I think they were IC related. I think with this one I just wont go on bedrest. I don't go into labor until about two weeks after I get off of bedrest, so I am just not going to do it this time. I will just have to grit my teeth through the pain. Thanks for the info on the heating pad! I had been using it on low, which I don't think raises my body temp, but I will ask my Doc.