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What You Need to Know About Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy

By Hailey Harris

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 04Apr2007 Word count: 704 Viewed: 2143 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy When you have fibromyalgia, there are several questions that may stand out. Should I get pregnant? What if I am already pregnant? Will it make my fibromyalgia worse? What am I going to do? How am I going to take care of the baby afterwards? These are all questions that are common to those who have fibromyalgia and are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.

If you have fibromyalgia and are thinking of becoming pregnant, first and foremost, know that there is hope! You may be wondering what you will go through and how your body will change and how it will affect the progression or non-progression of your disease. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant you may want to join forces with Ridfibromyalgia.com and learn the best ways to manage your fibromyalgia.

Although there are not a lot of studies done on fibromyalgia and pregnancy, there is some important information that we do know. First, as disheartening as it may seem that there aren't a lot of studies done, women want to know how this condition will affect them and their babies. Even though there isn't a lot of information from studies we can use common sense to help us figure out some things to help.

One recent study showed that women with fibromyalgia will experience worse symptoms during their pregnancy. The women involved in this study reported that they had increased stiffness, pain, and fatigue. The conclusion was that FM sufferers had a great deal more difficulty in pregnancy than women without Fibromyalgia. This study was in line with the conclusion of an earlier study out of Norway, that symptoms were aggravated during pregnancy.

Some doctors are under the notion that Fibromyalgia sufferers will feel better during pregnancy. They say this is due to the woman's hormone levels. They found that women have the typical symptoms of pregnancy but don't experience flares of their symptoms till the last trimester.

So what do you do if you are a woman with Fibromyalgia and are pregnant? Well, one key component is rest and relaxation. Try your meditation techniques and deep breathing techniques to help you. Sleep is a very key component during pregnancy. Other alternative therapies that may work for you during pregnancy are exercise and massage therapy. But do these under a doctor's care and direction. Exercise such as yoga, aquatic exercise, pilates or just plain stretching may help. Some women like warm baths for relaxation but water temperature should stay below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Doctors generally advise women who are pregnant and suffering from Fibromyalgia to discontinue their medications during pregnancy. This is because medications are not proven safe during pregnancy to the unborn baby. Most likely you'll be weaned off pain meds, anti-depressants, herbal supplements, and anything else you are taking for your Fibromyalgia. Your first trimester is a critical time of growth for your baby and it is important to wean off your medications before this time.

So, what about after pregnancy? After pregnancy physical therapy and continuing your relaxation and meditation techniques seem to work best. You may feel some fluctuation in pain and flares due to hormones regulating after pregnancy. Remember that sleep is key. You want to make sure you have all the help you can get after baby comes home so that you can get your sleep. This is half the battle! If you are breastfeeding you will need to discuss with your doctor which medications are safe for you and the baby. Discuss the pros and cons with your partner and your physician.

If you have Fibromyalgia and you want to get pregnant, don't let this stop you. Be informed, stay educated, and make the decision that is best for you and your family. Talk with your doctor about what you can do to be best prepared for pregnancy and what expectations you can have with your condition.

With these tips and common sense, you'll find yourself a little more educated about fibromyalgia and pregnancy. The decisions you make regarding pregnancy and your fibromyalgia can be a little more informed and you can make the best decisions for you.

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