IC and C-Section

[Schuyler]

My husband and I are in the process of TTC. For the past several years I have had frequent bouts of IC. I went to a urologist twice and was catheterized. He suggested that I had IC but wanted to do another catheterization/test to confirm. The procedure was extremely painful for me and I decided against it. I decided to try diet which has worked fairly well (though I still have bout). Each time I've had a bout, my urine tests have come back negative for UTI.

I have two questions:
1. Do doctors offer c-sections for women with this condition? I know that vaginal birth can be hard on the bladder. I'm terrified of incontinence.

2. Would I need to be formally diagnosed with IC before pregnancy? What's involved with this?

Thank you so much for any advice you can provide.

[ICNJess]

Hello, and welcome!! I have had IC for a looooong time, and recently went through my first pregnancy.

If you feel more comfortable with the thought of a C-Section, you can certainly ask your doctor for one and explain your fears of having a vaginal birth. I would have liked to have had a vaginal birth but I did end up with a c-section because my daughter was a complete breech.

You do not necessarily need a diagnosis before pregnancy, but if it were me, I would want to know what is going on before I get pregnant. That way, you'll know what you're dealing with since they can't do any invasive testing or anything while you are pregnant.

There are two ways to diagnose IC. There is the cysto/hydro method which involves puting a scope into the bladder and filling it to measure capacity as well as view any hunner's ulcers or pinpoint bleeding. You are asleep during the procedure. The other way would be a Potassium Sensitivity Test (PST) where they put potassium in your bladder to see how you react. If you have pain, you have IC.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or just want to talk, PM me. :)

Hugs,
Jess

[Schuyler]

Jess -
Thank you so much for your response! I believe I had the Potassium test done when I was catheterized. The process was excruciatingly painful for me. I'll have to check my files to see if that was what the urologist did. I would like an official diagnoses I've just been scared to go back.

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! What an exciting time for you.

Thanks again!

[ICNJess]

I can understand your fears on going back to the urologist. It's an awful diagnosis, but it is treatable. Some doctors okay the use of the oral treatment Elmiron throughout pregnancy, some don't. I personally did not take any medication through my pregnancy, but it is an individual decision that you and your doctor can make together.

Another treatment, the DMSO treatment that they put directly into your bladder through a catheter, is thought to be safe as well. This option was offered to me while I was pregnant, but I had the treatments in the past and they didn't help me and were a bit painful for me. They do work well for some people, though!

You'll have to modify your diet a bit, too, which you may find difficult once pregnant! :)

If you haven't already, I'd encourage you to check out the ICN Patient Handbook. There is information on diet, treatments, and pregnancy with IC.

Thanks on the congrats--it has truly been the best 4 1/2 months of my life so far, and everyday it gets so much better!

Hugs,
Jess

[Schuyler]

Thank you again for all of your advise and encouragement. So far, diet modifications have helped a lot but I didn't even think about how difficult adhering to a strict diet may be while pregnant!

Thanks again!

[sheilacoito]

Hello! I am going to TTC in January. I work in labor and delivery, and I circulate c-sections too. I also am having a difficult time with the vag vs. csection delivery.

In a c-section, they actually cut some tissue called "bladder flaps", and hold the bladder away from the uterus. I am nervous about the c section because tissue can scar, thus causing more pain! People say that their surgeries are what caused their IC!

In a vaginal delivery, the bladder does get smushed, but if it is emptied just before delivery (via catheter), I would think it would be okay.

The OB'S say that a vag would probably be better on the IC bladder, but I still need to check with my uro. It is a hard decision. Talk with an ob and uro that you trust. You can request a c section, and many docs these days will be happy to oblige, for their fear of a negligence lawsuit.

I wish you luck on your decision, keep me posted on any info you find!!!:)

[Elle]

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth on this one... :wink:
I've had 3 deliveries...2 vaginal and 1 c-section. In my opinion, vaginal deliveries are much, much easier on the body & the bladder! During my c-section, my bladder was nicked (great, I know!), I have lots & lots of scar tissue that's had to be removed (I'm a "normal" sized person and gained roughly 25 pounds during pregnancy). I've also had adhesions since then and things (bladder-wise; sex; pretty much everything down there) is completely different. If you have a choice, and can safely deliver vaginally, I would really recommend it! Yeah, it hurts like hell for a few hours, but the recovery is so much quicker that a c-section. But, you need to make the decision that's right for you. Good luck and, when you do get pregnant, enjoy every minute! The first baby is just so life altering! My oldest (8yrs old) and I are very close...he really is my heart! It's like Jess said, each day with your baby becomes more and more special!