OK, quick catch up for those who don't know, CFS/ME is a chronic illness characterised by ongoing fatigue that isn't eased by sleeping, muscle pain and various other symptoms... you can read more about it here on Wiki-Wiki-Wikipedia Basically, it feels like how you feel when you're coming down with the flu - your whole body aches, your head feels like it's full of fog so you can';t think properly and you feel exhausted. It's like that... without the snot! I'm very luck, I started with the illness at the start of 2005 and have only been a moderate sufferer, to the point I can work part time, and in the past year or two, finally seen significant improvements. I can pretty much do what I want now, without having to miss out on stuff or do it with pacing (building in regular breaks.) I'm still symptomatic, but mainly now in isolated flare-ups or in reaction to certain triggers, like stress, illness or doing too much. It used to be a case where I had symptoms in varying degrees everyday, now I can go a few weeks at a time if I'm sensible - it's all rather marvellous!
Some CFS/ME suffers find their symptoms disappear during pregnancy (they believe it might be related to the body suppressing the immune system during pregnancy.) Of course, I wasn't that lucky! But on the whole, my CFS/ME hasn't dramatically changing. The stress of dealing with horrendous morning sickness in the first trimester made it worse, and the effort of dragging a large bump around in my third, whilst doing DIY and packing, has seen a bit of resurgence of symptoms, but on the whole, I've been trundling along as normal.
However, childbirth throws up a LOT of concern. My CFS/ME is triggered particularly by physical exertion and stress. Childbirth will probably be the most extreme cases of both I'll ever experience. My concern is whether, post birth, I'm going to end up totally exhausted and in pain... and yes, I know most new mothers are exhausted and in pain, but with the CFS/ME on top, I'm worried how I'll cope, especially if I'm sleep deprived. So, I've made a controversial decision - I'm going to ask for an epidural straight away. My thinking is that the longer I'm not in pain, the less exhausted I'll be and hopefully the less M.E'd up I'll be after the birth It sounds like such a cop out though, reaching straight for the drugs, but I'm starting think it might be the best option. Plus I have the lowest pain thresholds known to man!
I'm going total to the midwife about i when I see her in a few weeks, to see if this is possible of recommended. I just figure sacrificing a chance at a natural birth experience might be worth it to be able to be as fit and well as possible for Dylan's first days. It's just a big decision to make. If I try for a natural delivery and need an epidural, there's no guarantee how quickly I can get one, or whether I'll have completely knackered myself out by that point.
Other than the epidural issue, I'm happy to let the rest go with the flow. Water? Fine! C-section? If you have to, fine... Apparently we'll start looking at birth plans as part of antenatal classes, so I've got a few weeks before I have to start writing stuff down. Phew!
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