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Posted by AlisonP (Member # 7771) on :
 
This one goes out to all the ladies ....

I would really like to hear from people about your experiences having Lyme and what happens after you give birth.

What I am wondering is how much your symptoms flared, or what it was like health wise after having a baby. Do they get worse? Is Post-partum worse compared to non-Lymies? Were your symptoms so bad that you couldn't care for the baby by yourself? Any success stories?

I would be most grateful for any experiences anyone could share about this.

Thanks!

Alison
 
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
 
Hi Ali!!.....

Ummm, Do you have an announcement you are shy about sharing? How are you? My children are grown, so don't have too much info in the baby dept.

However, I do suspect that I was infected back then and I was pretty exhausted after delivering my second baby. I also had some postpartum depression. Hope others will come along with better info,

Gael
 
Posted by dsiebenh (Member # 5353) on :
 
I'm a guy so take this for what it's worth... I read previously that autoimmune diseases (like MS) go into remission during pregnancy due to the way a pregnant body handles vitamin D metabolism. But then the disease comes back, sometimes stronger, after birth.

My personal feeling is that the line between MS and Lyme is a very fine one and that they really are one disease, or 2 diseases in one spectrum. So I would expect a similar response.
 
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
 
Your body lowers it's immune response so it won't attack the baby. That would be why MS would seem to remit.

I guess it would depend if you were on antibiotics during the pregnancy, how well you would fare afterward.

I hadn't been diagnosed with Lyme until many years later, so I can not say (beyond the shadow of doubt) that I was infected then, though all evidence seems to point to that conclusion.

Childbirth seemed to take me out of commission and it was a living nightmare trying to keep up with everything. It seemed very different, for me, than the other mothers I knew.

My post-partum experience is one of MANY reasons that I believe I had been infected prior to my more recent tick-bites.

FWIW-I love my DD very much and I DID survive it!
 
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
 
If I had it to do again......

I think I would be sure that the Lyme was being addressed and I would also be concerned about having co-infections dealt with.

I haven't been taking any chances because the thought of possibly bringing a baby into the world that might have to suffer with this scares me.

I don't think I, personally, would be comfortable trying anything until I knew I could beat this myself.

If it were beyond my control, I would have to do the best I could & pray a lot, I suppose. I would definitely want to make sure that the Lyme was addressed, for both MY sake & the baby's.
 
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
 
OMG!!!!!

Both AliG and AllisonP on the same thread.

I've been thinking of both of you and missing you.


I know I had Lyme (now) for both of my pregnancies.

I remember after my first baby (C-section) how sick I was

From the antibiotic drip during delivery.

I couldn't even nurse my baby for over 8 hours.

I was so sick.

Then I had drenching night sweats every night in the hospital.

Never had them before.

The nurse was always perplexed when bringing my baby to me to nurse.

She found me nightly dripping wet with sweat.

For the second baby, I had pancreatitis during week 36

Of the pregnancy. As for the fatigue,

Well I was nursing around the clock and taking care of an 18 month old.

It is all a big blur....of fatigue, dirty diapers and crying.

I was totally overwhelmed.

I had a bad reaction to morphine that was given to me

The morning after my second C-section for my tubal ligation.

It dropped my pressure so low, the bells and whistles

Outside my door were going off.

I don't think I ever felt rested....after baby number one.

Hope this helps.

Glad to see you two posting.

I've missed you both very, very much.

Hugs,

Geneal
 
Posted by AlisonP (Member # 7771) on :
 
Hey you guys,

Thanks so much for the info!

Gael ... no announcement ... just weighing the pros and cons at this point!

I've already discussed with my LLMD about what happens *during* pregnancy. LLMD has a lot of experience with this and indicates that yes, often people feel much better *during* pregnancy due to lowered immune response (yes -- lowered -- the fetus is like a foreign invader and so to keep the body from rejecting it, the immune system lowers and we feel better) and does recommend abx during.

What's scaring the pants off of me (or, ironically, scaring them back *on* me LOL) is the dreaded question ... will I be well enough to care for a baby?

I know that's something only I can answer, but it sure is helpful to hear from other moms about your experiences.

I am significantly better but still have my rough days. I am so worried about relapsing after birth!

Thanks again and hugs to you all! Miss you too Geneal!

Alison
 
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
 
Hey Alison,
PRegnancy is what made my Lyme come out full blown, I knew something was wrong about 3 months after delivery and also had severe post partum depression. My Lyme was not active at the time I got pregnant; I didn't know I had it until after son born.
That said, I wouldn't change it for the world and would love to have another baby someday. I say go for it!
 
Posted by lymeparfait (Member # 14268) on :
 
The positive thing for you is knowing that you have lyme, and you can monitor things. Most people , like me, never knew until years after the births. Ilook back now and can understand my strange symptoms and illnesses.

I had flu like symtpoms and was severly dehydrated two weeks after delivery. I could not urinate for two weeks, as I had inflamation in my bladder area and just about everywhere.

I could not breast feed either, I was so engorged, but could not let down...tried for over a month, and finally gave into bottle feeding.

Postpartum depression, crying, but on a positive note, loving being a mother. I eventually got better, but not back to normal.

I highly recommend testing the placenta for lyme in your new baby. I know I passed lyme and co[s onto my kids. One even had a rash on the chin and genetals durig the first week, and the other had bartenella like hemangeomas on his head.

Little did i know then what was in store for my family.

Do not let it scare you, as there are things you can do during pregnancy to ensure you and the child health.

LP
 
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
 
I guess that you do what you have to especially if

You have a brand new baby dependent upon you.

I thought the fatigue, inability to think,

Was "mommy" brain or just what every new mother goes through.

If I were younger (much younger) I would have loved to have another.

I would not have let Lyme decide for me.

Remember, my children are what has kept me going.

Whether I wanted to or not.

I think that this helped me as I didn't get to lay down.

No naps for me.

Maybe that is why while daunted by some adventures

Like chaperoning 100 kindergarteners tomorrow to the zoo,

I will push through. I want to live my life the best I can.

All you can do at any given moment, no matter what the circumstances

Is the best that you can.

Sending you positive thoughts and prayers.

I still brag about my special gift from you.

I get to think of you every night.

Thank you.

Hugs,

Geneal
 
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
 
Hey, thanks for posting this.....


I have a confession. I'm actually telling my lyme family before my own husband.....I finally succeeded in getting pregnant.


I'm 3 weeks along. I will not tell him until maybe....I'm showing.


First, he only had this baby with me for me....he's a bit older and we've been trying for so long he's really gotten older then he wanted to be for fathering.


He also worries about the finances.


I worry about TBD's.


I had Lyme 4 years ago. medicated asap to a naueous level. Feel okay except when I went 3 months ago on Flagyl for a vaginal infection I had pain in my back right around where the tick was cut out of me.


Rt upper area behind shoulder, behind arm. The muscle was sore. A few weeks later I had a repeat dose and did not feel that pain.


But, I thought I was okay until that suspicion. Otherwise felt fine.


I don't feel unwell now...just queazy and a little winded.


But, I think I should take amoxy to be safe.


How do I explain this to my Obgyn.....He'll laugh me out of his office.


Any ideas??? I also don't know if there's a too late time frame. Let's face it, I've been pregnant now for three weeks,,,,andy one know?


Best to you in your decision making


2roads
 
Posted by Faith6 (Member # 14072) on :
 
2roads - Congratulations!!!


My 6 babies are 16 to 31 years old now. I think I probably had Lyme during all pregnancies.

The 1st doctor I went to told me to come back when I felt better - that would have been at about 5 months!

I felt terrible for all but the 4th. With him I only had one day I felt like I was going to faint. The morning after he was born I woke with extreme pain which eventually was diagnosed as fibro.

With 5 of them I spent many months in bed with no energy. With the first 3 I lost 20 lbs in the 1st half of the pregnancy (5'8"/101 lbs) then gained it all back plus plenty. With the second 3 I initially lost 10lbs each time.

I was only hospitalized with dehydration for the 5th.

The second half of the pregnancies I had so much pain I could barely walk.

I thought what I was going through was normal - the doctors didn't seem concerned.

Now I feel like all but my second child is affected by Lyme. I want to get Lyme treatment figured out so I can help them live a more normal life.

Kids are definitely worth it!
 
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
 
Thanks for the congrats Faith!!!

Wow, what I wouldn't give to lose some weight the first half of the pregnancy. I need energy though, and not just the ability to walk, but run after delivery.


I truly don't know what to expect because I feel fine.

Still question the med situation. Would take it if I could get it figured out.

I didn't want lyme to strip me of everything...I prey it doesn't....kids are so worth it to me too.


It would be nice if they stopped putting everything in their mouths...see new topic on General.....ugh.


Hugs,

Greta


[group hug]
 
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
 
My story is like CD57's. I was fine before pregnancy but very sick afterwards. Also had terrible postpartum depression. I pulled out of my illness several years later when I got pneumonia and was treated with abx. Didn't know I had lyme. It then came back after a 5 year remission.

Treatment during pregnancy should make all the difference.

Terry
 
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
 
I contacted Doc J today about how to go about this with my Gynecologist.


My Lyme doc was Dr. Burrascano, and there isn't much he can do for me, I guess, at this point.


We shall see. It's funny, but illness before pregnancy is rough, but feeling good yet deceived about your health status until after birth is almost worse.

Thanks for the support everyone-


Greta
 
Posted by Janice70 (Member # 16319) on :
 
I didn't know I had Lyme when I gave birth. Immediately afterward, I got drenching night

sweats that happened until I started treatment for Lyme several years later. (Not every night)

I thought night sweats were a normal part of childbirth and breastfeeding. I didn't even

question it until I stopped breastfeeding and the night sweats continued.

After my second child was born, I got rages against my husband. I believe it was Lyme related.
 


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