Aa
Well, guess what. I'm pregnant.
A few years back, I commented that I was going to try to get pregnant. I got off of all the drugs that weren't safe during pregnancy. This included my Baclofen and the MS drug I was taking, Betaseron.
Then I got very busy, and several things happened in a year. I had an appendectomy. Then I had gall bladder surgery. Then I had a thyroidectomy! So I'm sans gall bladder, appendix, and thyroid.
With all the health issues out of the way, my body was in much better shape, and I became pregnant in May.
I had a blood clot in 2010. Well, I had done some research and visited a hematologist (before all the organ removals) and we did some testing, but was never able to find out why. All we knew is that I tested positive for the Russell anti-venom viper test. We decided that if I were to become pregnant, I would need to be on heparin. So I notified the hematologist that I was pregnant, and she ran me through all the testing again. Turns out I am a heterozygous carrier for Factor V Leiden, which means that one of my parents carries the gene. It's a weird mutation that's hard to explain - essentially my blood will clot more than the usual person.
So as soon as we found that out, I went on heparin. I take 10,000 units twice a day.
Other than that (and the awful constipation I mentioned in another thread) I've been very happy and healthy. They always say that being pregnant while having MS is wonderful, because there's no relapses. Well, I haven't had a relapse since my diagnosis - the main problem was that I had so much neurological damage that it took a long time to heal. I wasn't healthy enough to raise a child back when I was young enough. I'm 43 now. I'm chock full of estrogen, and I feel the best I've felt in years. I was feeling pretty good before I got pregnant, but I think I'm now at the top of my game. So estrogen apparently helps your brain work better, as well as preventing relapses.
So now the two objectives are to grow a healthy baby, and prevent a relapse when I give birth.
The high-risk doctor and my MS doctor think that an IV steroid will help prevent a relapse, if administered right after giving birth. I plan on breastfeeding, which should also help with estrogen levels, but I don't know if that's compatible with heparin - which I'll need to be on to prevent clotting because of the estrogen.
I'm at 16 weeks right now. I should have another ultrasound tomorrow morning, and we'll see how things are going in there. I don't feel pregnant, even though I'm showing just a little. So far they think the baby's due either at the end of January, or the beginning of February.
This is another new and strange adventure that I've started on. I figure it couldn't be any worse than anything else I've already done, and it's just another mountain to climb.
I figured I'd stop in and update everybody on what's going on - it's been a while!
Then I got very busy, and several things happened in a year. I had an appendectomy. Then I had gall bladder surgery. Then I had a thyroidectomy! So I'm sans gall bladder, appendix, and thyroid.
With all the health issues out of the way, my body was in much better shape, and I became pregnant in May.
I had a blood clot in 2010. Well, I had done some research and visited a hematologist (before all the organ removals) and we did some testing, but was never able to find out why. All we knew is that I tested positive for the Russell anti-venom viper test. We decided that if I were to become pregnant, I would need to be on heparin. So I notified the hematologist that I was pregnant, and she ran me through all the testing again. Turns out I am a heterozygous carrier for Factor V Leiden, which means that one of my parents carries the gene. It's a weird mutation that's hard to explain - essentially my blood will clot more than the usual person.
So as soon as we found that out, I went on heparin. I take 10,000 units twice a day.
Other than that (and the awful constipation I mentioned in another thread) I've been very happy and healthy. They always say that being pregnant while having MS is wonderful, because there's no relapses. Well, I haven't had a relapse since my diagnosis - the main problem was that I had so much neurological damage that it took a long time to heal. I wasn't healthy enough to raise a child back when I was young enough. I'm 43 now. I'm chock full of estrogen, and I feel the best I've felt in years. I was feeling pretty good before I got pregnant, but I think I'm now at the top of my game. So estrogen apparently helps your brain work better, as well as preventing relapses.
So now the two objectives are to grow a healthy baby, and prevent a relapse when I give birth.
The high-risk doctor and my MS doctor think that an IV steroid will help prevent a relapse, if administered right after giving birth. I plan on breastfeeding, which should also help with estrogen levels, but I don't know if that's compatible with heparin - which I'll need to be on to prevent clotting because of the estrogen.
I'm at 16 weeks right now. I should have another ultrasound tomorrow morning, and we'll see how things are going in there. I don't feel pregnant, even though I'm showing just a little. So far they think the baby's due either at the end of January, or the beginning of February.
This is another new and strange adventure that I've started on. I figure it couldn't be any worse than anything else I've already done, and it's just another mountain to climb.
I figured I'd stop in and update everybody on what's going on - it's been a while!
Hi, Jen. I was away when you made this great announcement so didn't get to comment then. But here I am now, so a big congrats!
A niece of mine had her first and only baby at age 43. She was extremely healthy before, during and after the pregnancy. Little Nicola is now 2, and adorable. I'm sure you'll have the same experience. Best wishes.
ess
A niece of mine had her first and only baby at age 43. She was extremely healthy before, during and after the pregnancy. Little Nicola is now 2, and adorable. I'm sure you'll have the same experience. Best wishes.
ess
It turns out that I had a lot of referred pain from the gall bladder and appendix. I felt so much better when they were both out! I actually had been taking heavy-duty muscle relaxers, because I thought it was from the MS. After the surgery I was able to stop taking the Tizanidine.
And yes, I am burping up a storm! It's terrible. I hiccup, then I burp.
And yes, I am burping up a storm! It's terrible. I hiccup, then I burp.
Congratulations!! Pregnancy and a baby is one of the best experiences ever! Enjoy and all the best!
Hey, don't recognize you but wanted to join in the chorus of congrats!!!!! Baby news is always exciting!!!! Enjoy every previous minute before and after birth - it's the best experience ever : ) so happy for you.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, that's just wonderful news, i am so so pleased for you!!
HUGS...........JJ
ps please keep us updated on how your baby bump etc is going :D
HUGS...........JJ
ps please keep us updated on how your baby bump etc is going :D
This is terrific news and I could not be more excited for you - i hope you will continue to drop back through here and share updates. You know that baby has an extended family here wanting to hear the progress reports. Congrats and lots of hugs, Laura
So happy to read you are pregnant! Congratulations! Wow, reading what was going on in your recent past..."organ donation" ( I don't mean to be crass or rude but they took a bunch from u). Did having your gall bladder removed make u feel better in the long run? Like were u having lots of indigestion and now you don't ? Of course being pregnant made me burp so much!
To tomorrow another ultra sound? Will u want to know boy or girl or be surprised? For constipation issues I will go back to that thread. I do want to thank u for being supportive about my doctor visit.
Nicky
To tomorrow another ultra sound? Will u want to know boy or girl or be surprised? For constipation issues I will go back to that thread. I do want to thank u for being supportive about my doctor visit.
Nicky
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