Scared of pregnancy

[Charisse]

I got pregnant last year and miscarried. My health problems all took a turn for the worse after my miscarriage. I believe it was due to all the shifts in hormones. I developed fibromyalgia within a couple of months and then now the IC. I already had been diagnosed with stomach motility problems, IBS, overproduction of stomach acid and reflux of both bile and acid before that, not to mention my anxiety went through the roof when I found out I was pregnant. I'm so afraid to ever get pregnant again and put my body through all these changes. I feel like it took me over 6 mos to go from being really sick to being stable and then 2 months later I came down with IC. Is there any hope of having a healthy pregnancy and going back to normal after the baby is born? I am trying to weigh my health and quality of life to being a mom which might be impossible to do. I am guessing I would also have to stop several of my medications before even considering pregnancy.

[mom_in_ma]

There are many stories from IC folks who have had successful pregnancies and some that even talk about remission.

That said, I'm like you. I was in remission last year when I got pregnant (accidentally! I had an IUD) and then miscarried at 4 months. My IC came back with a vengence about three months after the miscarriage - just when all my hormones were working themselves out.

When I was pregnant, I was still pretty much in remission, but I was terrified the entire time that my IC would flare. Wasn't a fun experience for me.

You will make the best decision for YOU. Good luck.

[ICNDonna]

Some people with IC have remissions throughout pregnancy and feel really good. Others have lots of pain with pregnancy. The one thing I hear most often is how totally wonderful the babies are --- and so worth it!

Warm hugs,
Donna

[charmedx3]

Hi Charisse, I wish I had some answers for you. my pregnancies are all
before my IC days. I can tell you my 1st was probably the easiest. I had 2 uti's in my pregnancies 1 each with both of my boys. All I can say is do what you feel you can and should do. Give your body sometime to get healthy. I am here if you need anyone to talk to.

[laura dove]

my first pregnancy put me in remission, then I lost the baby at 10 weeks.i
was in remission for 3yrs 2nd time. Hospitalized at 10 wks and put on
morphine.told to terminate baby if i did not go on elmiron. the makers
of elmiron did not recommend it in preg. though it is a categ. B.did
research and instilled 1 elmiron tab 1x wkly rather than 3 orally per day
I took 30 percacet for pain monthly but stopped by 3rd trimester. did pelvic pt,
behav.therapy,and accupunture. I had preterm labor issues, a bicornuate
uterus, endo (4.9 cm cyst) and toxima. I was in terrible pain to say the
least. But, I had a beautiful baby boy who completly makes all this
nonesence worth every secnd.

good luck..it is hard, but you can do it..

[Charisse]

Thanks to everyone for responding. There are so many things to consider. I wouldn't feel so scared if I was just on 1 or 2 drugs but I take a lot of medications that I'm not sure I could survive without. I don't even have them all listed in my signature but I also take Ambien for my fibromyalgia (I don't sleep without it period) as well as Ativan for anxiety and muscle pain. Add Elmiron, 3 different antihistamines for allergies, Prilosec for stomach acid and the fact that if I was as sick as last time I'll be using Zofran and/or Phenergan too -I just can't see taking all of that and being pregnant! Yet the only reason I'm where I'm at today health-wise is because of these medications. Sometimes I think I have lost my mind completely for even considering pregnancy but I keep holding out hope that it will be different this time. That I won't lose this baby and that I won't feel as bad as last time too but I've heard the more viable the pregnancy, the sicker you feel with morning sickness.

[charmedx3]

Hi Charisse, I have to say that i had a nice green glow for my first 5-6 months of pregnancy. I did have to take meds for my morning sickness. I was not on any other meds at the time. I beleive it was phenergan that helped me but i also took benedryl. it might be a good idea to talk to your dr he may be able to give you some advice.

[laura dove]

Im, sure you have already done this...but make sure your ob
knows all your meds. you and your baby are in our thoughts!!

[Angeles]

I'm also concerned about pregnancy. I didn't think too much about it until my sister got pregnat this year (she doesn't have IC).

My doctor told me once "what are we going to do if you get pregnat?" I asked him "why?" he said "b/c some women get better and others get worse" I didn'taprreciate the comment, I still like him though.
I just think to myself... if I get pregnant, I'll get better... and if I don't get pregnant, I'll adopt a child. I want to be a mom one day and IC and all this wont' take that away from me. (and it shouldn't... to anyone)

[Berkshire Road]

It's a very tough question. But I just wanted to add to this discussion, that adoption is a beautiful thing.