New & Confused!!

[christinac]

Hey guys,

I'm a newbie to the forum! I've been diagnosed with HMS for 6 years now, its pretty mild, only my left knee affected at present, going out of place, etc, but some some mild pain in hips and shoulders. My husband would like to start trying for a baby but i'm reluctant to start without getting more info about how my HMS will affect any pregnancy. I live in Ireland and there doesn't appear to be any services here like in the UK. I was basically diagnosed and given anti-inflams and told to take them when needed....that was it Anything i've learnt about HMS has been from this site and from the Hypermobilty book by Prof. Grahame & Rosemary Kerr. I haven't been given any guidance about managment of HMS, etc. Anyway, just wondering if any of you have any advice about how your symptoms progressed whilst pregnant, etc, are docs able to give you an approximate idea of how pregnancy will affect HMS? Anyone had mild HMS progress badly during and after pregnancy? I have a good quality of life at the moment, as i've said my HMS is mild so i really would like to weight up my options before making any decisions.

Thanks in advance

Christina

[Finarda]

Hi Christina,
Welcome to the boards. I don't remember where the pregnancy topics are, but if you do a search in the top of this page for pregnancy you should be able to find lots of information. In some ways I was worse during pregnancy, in others better (ie I had less migraines at least during the first trimester). I also found that I coped better with pregnancy because I was used to pain and loose joints so that although I was worse than normal, it was a matter of degrees, whereas for 'normal' people I think the aches and pains were a shock to them.

Fiona

[barkingmad]

Hi Christina and welcome to the forum, its great to have you with us. As Finarda says just use the search facility and info should come up for you!

[christinac]

Thanks Finarda & barkingmad for the replies! I'll do a search for more info! I guess my main worry is that with the extra weight my knee would become even more unsable and i'll fall, etc. I find it difficult with stairs, etc, so just a little scared about the whole thing!

Thanks again!

Christina

[Alison C]

My first pregnancy (when we did not know about HMS) was OK with my weak knee although I took it easy esp in last trimester. Looking after my baby was harder on my knees as I was up and down from the floor a lot, and carrying him lots so I was helped immensely by physio (esp hydrotherapy). My second pregnancy, I was better as I had had physio just before the pregnancy, during and after, including hydro.

Perhaps seek some physio (from a rheumatology physio) in readiness for pregnancy?

Most of us here start to get looser joints from about 13 weeks when the relaxin hormone kicks in which is normal for anyone. SPD can start then - pelvic pain - this was a feature in both pregnancies, worse in first. Physio again helps and soemtimes wearing tubigrip!

Perhaps start thinking how many children you would like as this may affect when you start planning your first. Sorry this sounds common sense!

Consider too the genetic implications - both my two children have HMS and this is OK but you can get pangs of guilt about this at stressful times - we are supported by GOSH and this really helps.

Finally I checked with an obs/gyne consultant before having my second that all is OK, and we saw a geneticist before our first however we did not get diagnosed until after he was born.

Having my children is the best thing I have ever done I hasten to add!
Cheerio
Alison

[christinac]

Thanks Alisonc! That's the exact type of info I was looking for. Really helpful!

Thanks again

Christina

[tireesix]

Increased risk of SPD, a risk of things getting looser, your bump may look larger than necessary towards the end as your belly over stretches, can take a wee while longer for things to 'snap back' after birth (or never), more stretch marks, if you are clumsy now, it will be 10 xs worse during pregnancy lol.

Birth shouldn't be an issue except for some of us are more likely to have earlier births, faster births, excessive bleeding, tissue damage.

That said, out of all my three, first was induced on time (but they claim two weeks late) and from start to finish was 12/13 hours, second was 3 weeks late and took 12 hours and 3rd was on time and 6 hours in length max. First was in hospital, other 2 were born at home. I didn't know I had hms/eds with the first 2 but the Ob cleared for home birth with my 3rd, he couldn't see why not even with hms/eds (but he is a very good Ob who is woman centered rather than hospital policy centered, my GP made sure I got him). I had second degree tears with all but they healed well and not much bother except for number one which was a botch repair job.

Post Partum, I always get worse. My pain was easy to manage pre children with just paracetamol and ibuprofen, now I use paracetamol, ibuprofen, tramadol and buprenorphine patches and I am still in pain (although I can breastfeed with the meds). I am really glad I had kids though, the fun etc I have with them is worth all the pain in the world.

I think the most important thing you can do to prepare for pregnancy is excercise, I didn't with my first two and really suffered, this last time, I exercised, despite awful spd (in fact, using a stepper was the only thing that relieved it because it manipulated things back into place). I gained 4 stone in my last pregnancy and now, 5 months later, I have lost over 3 stone of it and feel much better and healthier because of the exercise.

[christinac]

Thanks tireesix for the advice. Hubbie is always on at me to exercise but i guess i'm just lazy But if it helps with the pain, i'll do as much exercise as I can! I'm so clumsy in general, i'm sure i'll be a disaster if I get pregnant!

Thanks again for the info and advice!

Christina