Topic: bad conversation, need to hear some GOOD pregnancy outcomes...
artbyjessie2
Unregistered
posted
Just had a conversation with an "expert" who has seen a LOT of bad lyme outcomes.
When i brought up having kids she made it sound like i should never even try. :-(
i just got married and my husband and i are looking forward to starting a family.
i know there are some women here who had successful pregnancies....... please tell me it's possible?
i know i would have to be in better shape and off my meds etc but it's possible right? I'm really depressed right now. this disease took away so much from me. if it takes away my dream of having a family i am going to lose my mind!
I had a healthy baby girl in April 2004 while being treated for Lyme 1 1/2 years prior to my pregnancy, during my pregnancy, and currently. I am the moderator of a pregnancy and Lyme Yahoo group and we have had four healthy babies born, with more on the way.
"The" Dr. B helped LDA with a study of Lyme and pregnant women. In properly and adequately treated pregnancies, there were no Lyme complications. Dr. J also feels that Lyme patients can have pretty safe pregnancies.
Unfortunately, there is just isn't a whole lot of research out there on TREATED pregnancies. From what I've read, acquiring Lyme while pregnant is much worse. The key is, though, to have an adequately treated pregnancy.
Yes, there have been women who have been treated who have Lyme babies. But that is the very small minority. Treating during pregnancy isn't 100% foolproof, but I trust the info from Dr. B a lot.
I have been flamed for posting about pregnancy, but for me, my beautiful baby girl was well worth the small risk. She is truly the light of our lives. I have two other children who I wasn't treated with during my pregnancies, and they are healthy with no Lyme symptoms.
Who was this "expert" you were talking to? I would call Dr. Jones' office and talk to them... They can give you the best protocol and recommendations. What does your LLMD think about pregnancy?
I refuse to let Lyme rule my life and take away my dreams. My husband and I educated ourselves, we took precautions (meds), and ended up with an incredible addition to our family.
I wish you the best... I certainly don't have all the answers. We just made the best decision for our family with the info that we have. I can send you the info that I have if you would like, and please feel free to contact me.
Posts: 10564 | From PA Where the Creeks are Red | Registered: Jun 2003
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JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
posted
I had my son before I knew I had Lyme.
I was not having full blown symptoms at the time though. It wasn't until after my pregnancy that the Lyme decided to make itself known.
I had a healthy pregnancy. I was a little anemic and my son was a very big baby - but other than that, there was nothing wrong with the pregnancy or delivery.
My son has been very healthy and show no symptoms as of yet.
He was also breast fed for a few months.
I know that Lyme is a ticking timebomb, so I try to make sure I keep an eye out for any symptoms he may get.
posted
Would it be possible to get the link to your Lyme and pregnancy board??
I am also wnating to have children one day. I amk 33...So I feel I am running out of time...ALthough I also know I need to get to a better levem of health as well.
Can anyone tell me if they have had kids while having Lyme, did their sx get worse during pregnancy or after birth??
I think that is my biggest concern, that the stress of the pregnancy and birth could worsen my Lyme and I could not function well as a mom.
I have spoke to my LLMD about this...He said that with proper treatment, most women to fine although they cant be 100% about everyone.
I spoke to my OB/Gyn who said it was fine to be on Bicillan, augmentin, or ammox while pregnant.
posted
I have a healthy baby boy (14 months old), who was born a perfect 7 pounds, and has hardly even had a cold since birth.
I also have a baby on the way. It wasn't until after becomming pregnant with this baby that I was aware I have Lyme. I was untreated during the first pregnancy and it turned out great. I am being treated with amoxy 4500 mg/day during this pregnancy and feel the odds are pretty good to have another healthy, happy baby.
There are no guarantees, but with proper treatment throughout pregnancy the odds are greatly in your favor! MY opinion is to do your research and to not allow this to deter you from achieving your dream of a family, which you can do in sound mind with proper treatment during pregnancy!
Best wishes, Sara
Posts: 160 | From Frederick, Maryland | Registered: Nov 2004
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artbyjessie2
Unregistered
posted
Sara, Jill, Shelly....... thanks for giving me some hope!
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I am also 33 and feel exactly the way you do. My husband and I were trying to get pregnant when this December all heck broke loose and I had painful attacks that led me to wonder what was going on. I had seen five different doctors. Gynecologist to MD, to Neurologist, to opthamologist to Orthapedic. I took it upon myself to pay for a western blot that my doctor wouldn't approve. Its a good thing I did because it came back positive. I start treatment next week. I am scared but optimistic that when this is all over I will be able to get pregnant. Someday soon it will be our turn. When I start to get depressed I just think that this was god's way of saying it just wasn't time yet and wanted my body to get stronger before I bring baby into the world. Have hope..if you any of you ever want to talk you can e-mail me.
I am very interested in connecting with women in my postion...its hard to feel like this and be alone sometimes... My husband understands, but he cannot truly get it since he dies not have Lyme.
JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
posted
My symptoms became extremely bad about 8 months after the delivery. I'm not sure if it was hormones, the stress of having a baby, lack of sleep or what but my body went bezerk at that time.
I had been having symptoms while pregnant but my primary and ob/gyn kept telling me it was normal for pregnancy. "You get stupid when you're pregnant." "You get clumsy when you're pregnant." You get fatigued when you're pregnant." You get night sweats when you're pregnant." "You get anxious and have a short temper when you're pregnant."
And they kept telling me that kind of stuff afterwards, too...."You get stupid after you have a baby."....
I want to get pregnant again but will wait.
It's terrible knowing that your child might have Lyme one day. To have my son go through what I am, to have my son be in pain - it is just my worst nightmare.
Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
I have two sons ages 7 and 3. I didn't know I had lyme with either pregnancy. Both boys are fine, but have lyme. Both were diagnosed over this last Christmas.
I kept telling doctors how tired i was and they just told me that was normal.
The oldest was over 9lbs and started antibiotics when he was 4 months. I took him in and told the doctor his mouth was drouping on his right side--the doctor said, "I'm sorry your child isn't symetrical enough for you." That was bellspalsey, sigh
He had chronic ear infections, sinus infections, strep. I use to hate him being on antibiotics but now I realize he is probably closer to kicking this than the rest of the family. When he was a baby I knew he was herxing. I didn't know why--but I would always tell my husband that he was allergic to antibiotics and he felt worse a week after taking them--and this is when he was less than a year old! I breastfeed for 2 years--I thought I was doing the right thing for his ear problems.
The three year old went from 8 and half pounds to failure to thrive. Dr. kept blowing me off--told me he was fine even though we weren't poor, black or in an "angry" house. When I was diagnosed with Hashi's the doc had me quit breast feeding after a year and told me my milk was bad from the thyroid disease. Well, my milk was bad--but it was the lyme too!
Both boys seem fine and are above average in intelligence and looks (do I sound like a proud mom or what)!
I wouldn't let the lyme stop me from having kids--but it is really hard when they are in pain, or like my seven year old says, "I'm mad (or sad) and I don't know why." And they both have a lot of pain. It breaks my heart--but I can't imagine not having them.
It is always, ALWAYS important to listen to your "Mommie Voice." You actually know more than the doctor about how that baby feels.
You can take medicine while you are pregnant and treat them when they are born. And do a lot of praying--but babies are just the best... We are all going to get over this illness and I don't think it was a mistake to bring the boys into this world.
God bless, Linda
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
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