Pregnancy ?’s after GBS

I hadnt looked in this section for a while. I had two pregnancies post GBS, first was fine at age 25 and had emergancy C section. Second at 35 was a spinal block instead of an epidural I think.
Lyrica was awful for me, and I had to decide which of the two evils I would live with – since the pain was not to the effect that I was unable to function I stopped the lyrica – but obviously not on it during preg.

Many have had babies, some with residuals flaring up, some seems fine. This is so difficutl to discuss on the internet and I would be glad to talk to you on the phone if you want – just private message me and I will do that.

Hey. I’m newly pregnant post a mild case of GBS, so I can’t answer your questions about the meds. I am 31 and was dx’d in Nov. 2007. I also have a 2 year-old (almost 3). My primary residuals are fatigue, nausea (yes, when I [U]wasn’t [/U]pregnant), and a small area of skin hypersensitivity. You’ve had it way worse, but if you’d like I’ll keep you updated on how I’m doing. I can tell you that the GBS didn’t seem to effect my ability to conceive even though I worried about that too. So I think you can spend your time worrying about other aspects of the process. Good luck and good health.

Hi Room 679. I’m only 5 weeks along. So far, so good. I’m noticing that inevitable increase in nausea, but it’s different from the GBS nausea as I have less appetite. My energy is about the same so far, but it’s early. I’ve got a doctor appointment next month. I don’t always get online often with lots going on, but I’ll certainly try to post on this forum with updates when I can. Hopefully I’ll have a very boring 1st trimester.:D My last pregnancy was about as healthy as it gets with natural childbirth, so I’ve got a good baseline to compare with. You’ll be doing me a favor letting me update you … what’s more fun to talk about than our own pregnancies? 😀 Ciao, Foxflower

HI

I am not sure about pregnancy post GBS but I had GBS while I was pregnant in 2006.

I was 28 weeks along when it hit. Fortunately, I recovered enough to deliver naturally and was able to take care of my baby on my own.

When I was in labour … I had asked for an epidural and then when the anasthesiologist(sp) came in, she said that they didn’t think I should get one because they weren’t sure if it would trigger my GBS to start up again. 🙁 The hard part was, all along during my pregnancy, I was told an epidural shouldn’t be a problem so I was expecting it and then couldn’t do it.

I have been told to go ahead with more babies! Just haven’t gotten up the nerve to do it again yet.

I personally felt so much better after having the baby. I was so tired at the end of the pregnancy but once I delivered I felt like a whole new woman! Much more energy. Maybe more the pregnancy than GBS though??? not sure.

Best of luck
Keep us posted!

Hi All, This is my first time visiting although I have read for years (had difficulty getting on as a Canadian). Had GBS and Miller Fisher in 2003 so on the 15th of May it will be 5 years. I continue improving and seem to get stronger as each month passes. I had surgery last May and went through two IVF’s to get pregnant with my first child. I am now 7-1/2 months. Although I am thrilled, I am really starting to fear the delivery. Very worried about getting an epidural and having the strength to push the kid out. I have a very well respected Dr. but he wants me to push the baby out. I don’t know if I should switch Dr.’s and get myself in a high risk hospital in case there are complications as a result of GBS. The Doctor does not think there is anything to worry about but as you all know that is easier said than done after what we went through. Any thoughts or advise? Has anyone had GBS related problems in delivery that put their baby at risk?

Hi Room 679. I so far all is well, but haven’t seen the doctor yet. I’ve got normal pregnancy discomforts. The fatigue is way more profound this time–I’m thinking because of the GBS. I had a bit of shortness of breath, but that seems to have resolved. I’m really looking forward to the 2nd trimester and more energy.

Elle — I’d like to know what you do about the delivery. I did natural childbirth last time, and had shorter than average labor, but I’m worried about my endurance and muscle strength this time. I’ve got time to build it up obviously, but my hips were the weakest, and remain so now. Will you let me know? Thanks.

Foxflower

Hey girls, im new. My name is Jamie. I’m 31 and pregnant with my third son, due late July. The docs say they cant test me for GB, related to the pregnancy, but they say they believe i have the variant that is contained to mostly to head, neck, chest, arms (sounds like they mean the PCB variant).

I’m doing quite a bit better since i first got insanely ill in december, but i worry about my delivery. I see my OBGYN tomorrow and i can ask him questions, but i’d like input from the patient, too. Do most GB mommies have normal deliveries? I’m home and pretty independent (besides shopping and going out of town), but i constantly have all of my old symptoms in the mild to moderate version, with intermittent severe episodes that last anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple days.

Symptoms involve shortness of breath, gagging, choking, vomiting, absent gag reflex, sometimes unable to swallow, weak or paralysed soft palate, facial weakness or paralysis, slurred speech, confusion, decreased memory, weakness, fatigue, acid reflux, extremity numbness, tingling, and weakness, leg cramping and burning and then legs completely give out on me. I get “electricity” feelings throughout my body that feels like im going to have a seizure or something, and horrible pain throughout my body, especially head, neck, eyes, back, flanks, hips, and thighs. And the wierdest is that my sense of smell is multiplied by, like 1000. It’s way more than the heightened smell you get from being pregnant.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks for being here! Jamie.

I don’t know how much help I will be for those of you with GBS but for anyone with CIDP maybe we could help each other?
I was diagnosed with CIDP in early 2003. In 2005 I got pregnant with my first child and all of symtoms disappeared during the pregnancy. 2 weeks after my daughter was born, my CIDP came back worse than before. I am currently weaning off my cellcept to start trying for baby #2. Has anyone had a similar experience to me? I am curious to see if the symptoms go away again and what happens after. Any thoughts?

I haven’t been diagnosed yet, just a big suspicion of GBS. Can’t get dx or tx until baby is born. Anyway, my symptoms came right around the time i got pregnant. The docs say, either my symptoms are worse DURING PG because my body is freaking out about the baby plus the illness, OR my symptoms will get worse AFTER the baby is born, when my body can give all of its attention to the GBS. Needless to say, we’re praying for my body to chill out after the delivery! It sounds funny, but they say, “Either you’re going to get better, or you are going to get worse”. I get what they mean, though.

Good luck to you all!

I had two relatively easy deliveries and healthy children post GBS. I actually felt great throughout the first pregnancy. I wear short leg braces (AFOs) and my balance was a bit iffy but I only had one fall. Knocked over by my step son’s young German shepherd – no ill effects from that thank goodness. The second time around I had back problems and a bad sinus infection. The fact that it was so long after my bout with GBS (more than a decade) was probably a plus. I wasn’t on any meds and had no flare ups.

I like to think that growing up with a “disabled” mother made my kids more compassionate. The great thing is that my son is a martial arts instructor. He and his wife do quite a bit of work with teaching the elderly tai chi.

I have a C-Sec booked for the 18th of July as a result of my concerns. My Doc says that I can always change my mind but as stated I am worried about my strength and ability to push when it matters the most. The fear of my body not responding terrifies me so I think I am going ahead with the C-Sec in order to avoid complications for the baby. I am less worried about the effect of the epidual since I will not need to push (although I do wonder how the freezing will end up affecting me and if it will wear off on schedule).

I will let you know how I make out.

Thanks for the response,

Elle

told my doc that i was concerned about being too weak to push. he said that the body does most of the work itself – the uterus is very strong. he never mentioned the need for a c-section but said that he did need to talk to my neuro about any concerns he had. just found out last week that i most likely dont have GBS, though. doing much, much better, so i have let go of a ton of fear related to the delivery.

good luck!
jamie

Oh, nothing is better than a baby especially one in the summer! How lucky you are!!
With pregnancy, our bodies do all sort of weird things … just wait until post-pregnancy, LOL!
I hope you find some answers because stress is the absolute worst thing for anyone especially an expecting mom. I don’t necessarily agree with your doc about the body doing most of the work itself. I was very happy on my Epideral and still had to push like mad to get the boy out:D

I have read over and over that a woman’s body’s immune system is naturally surpressed during pregnancy. It is the body’s way of not aborting the baby so in theory, those suffering from an overactive immune system should receive a break since the immune system is taking it easy.
I found this to be true in my pregnancy.
I felt better than I had in so long. I was determine to just stay pregnant forever:)
Several months after the pregnancy was over, I did find myself relapsing. I did pt again and ended up in AFOs permenantly in April of 2007 along with problems in my hands. This didn’t surprise the PT specialist…she said many women have symptoms of carpal tunnel during pregnancy and those with nerve inflammation illnesses do severe/irreversable damage.

However, if we could post pics of the kids, you would see that there is not a moment in my day I ever regret having another child. My eldest 2 are so helpful and compassionate that my fears of them having a disabled mother have all but disappeared. In fact, I would love to have just one more but we’ll have to see about that!
Enjoy your pregnancy because it is truly a special time that not everyone gets to experience.
Peace,
Mary

well, im doing really good! this baby is due in 18 days! cant believe i made it through the past 9 months! whew!

im happy for you that your children are so supportive. my youngest, age 7, is a sweetie. he is very accepting of my limitations and never, ever complains. my 13 year-old is just the opposite. he had me in tears the other day, counting on his fingers, yelling to me all of the ways that im a lousy mom now. “You don’t work! You can’t keep the house clean! You don’t do anything! You stay in bed all day! You don’t cook anymore! You don’t pay the bills around here”… (my short-term disability just expired on july 4th, so technically it is my hubby’s money that pays the bills)

I tried so hard, but i burst out in tears. That was after i asked him if he was saying those things because he was scared about my health, or because he was truly mad. He said, “It’s sure not that im scared!” I couldnt belive that after working so hard all of my life, and being such a good mom, daughter, wife, etc., that he would say those things to me. im trying not to hold a grudge about it, but it sure is hard.

i think this baby is going to bring me so much peace. my health is way better now, so i dont have that fear of being a bad mom anymore. a couple weeks ago, i cried my eyes out at my o.b. visit, asking my doc how in the world im going to take care of this baby. but that is all water under the bridge now, and i think im even well enough to go back to work whenever my hubby is ready. im even baby shopping quite a bit lately:p thats always fun!

well, thank you for your kind words! you are a pleasure to talk to!
take care and enjoy those kids!
jamie

I’m so glad that you are almost at the end…the baby in your arms after the delivery makes it ALL worth it!

I’m glad that you have one supportive kid to remind you that you are doing all you can in your state of health.

It’s hard when one has an internal illness – it’s not like a cast on a broken arm where there is a visual reminder you are not at peak performance. Unfortunately, you can’t slice open your body and show the inflammation and nerve damage. Even my husband will admit to forgetting at times I have limitations and he tells me, “But you look healthy!”:D

Not to mention, being 13 means that there is so many changes going on both hormonally, emotionally, socially, and all those other -allys that make teenagers so much fun, LOL! It must be rough for him to see a once healthy parent not being able to do as much but he still should not voice his discontent in such a manner. It’s not fair to you, your youngest, or the rest of the household. I’m sure you don’t want to be laid up especially with the baby due so soon (those nesting instincts really kick-in, don’t they!!).

It sounds like he is upset because life as he has always known it is now changed. And the baby will only bring more changes.
I would remind your teenager that your husband could not possibly afford to pay your salary as a mother and you work for free. 😀
You do have limitations but most mothers I know excel at challanges so I wish you the best of luck.
Keep us posted and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

again, thanks for being so awesome;)

my sons friend died a couple weeks ago and i think that played a huge part in his outburst. no one is safer to take your hurt out on than the person who loves you most, right? he did end up telling me, days later, that he thinks his problem was more about his friend than about me. but, i was a very “hands-on” kind of mom before i got sick – loved to cook and play with my boys, so that change has to be very hard on him. its just so hard to tell with teenagers because they rarely say what they are really feeling. i know he’s told people that he has a problem with the idea of a new baby, but he wont say why. i have no intention of putting my responsibility off on him, making him take care of baby. i think he is afraid of that.

speaking of baby, i think i might be having this one within the next couple days. this may be TMI, but …i started passing blood at 5a.m. not hemorrhaging or anything, so i just called the hospital and my doc was there. he told me to come in if the bleeding doesnt stop in about 12 hours, sooner if i feel necessary. im sure the bleeding is normal, but it didnt happen with my other kids, so im not sure what to expect. doc said it may be a small ruptured uterine blood vessel, since i have no other signs of labor.

i’ll keep you posted!

take care!

jamie

Hello Ladies,

I’m 17 weeks now and thought I felt the baby move the other day. I guess I’ll just have to wait another week or two for confirmation. All is going along normally. The nausea has greatly diminished/almost entirely gone. I do get more time in this pregnancy than the last, especially in the heat. I’m due Christmas Day and already have a onsie that says “All mommy wants for Christmas is a silent night.” 😀

Elle — I pray your c-section or delivery went well today. I told my doc I was worried about my strength. He did give me the option of a C-section, but said not to worry, one way or the other we’d get the baby out when the time came. He’s a good doc, so I know we will too. I’m hoping you get plenty of rest in the next few weeks. God Bless. Foxflower

How did I manage to say I get more time with this pregnancy?:eek: I have a 3 year old! What I get is more TIRED! Goodness, I need to proofread before I post.

foxflower,

congrats on the new little one you have on the way! how exciting! that 3 year-old will most likely be a lot of help; they make good diaper grabbers:p sounds like you have a good doc. i love mine and feel very thankful to have such a caring guy on my side. no signs of labor, yet.

was anxious to get this ball rolling a couple days ago, but yesterday and today i just dont feel like it:D im laughing at myself right now cuz i keep thinking, “i dont feel like going through the pain today and having people all around me”. silly, but true. im such a dork sometimes:p plus, im obsessed with the thought of every single room in the house being scrubbed down before the baby comes, especially my bedroom. again, not sure why, just a quirk i have right now. im also obsessing on the dingy paint in the laundry room – gotta paint that. it must be that “nesting” thing that we go through right before our babies arrive?

This pregnancy has been so different than the rest! I feel so silly sometimes because i act different than before. like, we were at a big family BBQ for the 4th of July and my step-mom wanted me to pull up my shirt and show everyone my belly. i refused, but laughed it off. just the thought of it made me nauseated. also, my dad wants to take me for a ride on his motorcycle “to shake the baby down”. cant bring myself to do that either. and i usually drive hubby crazy cuz i sleep so close to him – not now. cant do that either. just feel like i dont want anyone to get near me. my kids poke me in my belly and i almost puke. so, that has become their favorite method of mommy-torture these days:o crazy kids!

Hey Jamie, who does want to go through the pain and have all the people poking, prodding and testing? :confused: I think we just get to the point where we can’t stand having the wiggly watermelon tap dancing on the bladder anymore.

Sounds like your totally in the nesting stage. Last time I delivered 2 weeks before my due date. I was so busy doing laundry to pack (thought I was packing in plenty of time:rolleyes: ), sewing up the seat of the car, and talking on the phone, I didn’t even realize I was in labor until I should have been at the hospital (which is 1.25 hours away). My husband ended up packing my clothes — big mistake. I’ll be packing a month in advance this time. When you are fed up with being pregnant I’d definitely skip the motorcylce ride for now and just let your husband’s affection head in that certain direction. 😉 I’m pretty sure that’s what gave my labor a kick start last time — its safer, and your hubby will be happier. But of course, I’m not a doctor, so do what’s right for you.

As for the rest. Why do people think, even family, they can touch YOUR belly? Tell’em “Hands of the baby belly; unless you want to puked on, of course.” Maybe they’ll back off. Good Luck. Foxflower

You made me laugh talking about the watermelon tapdancing on your bladder. i swear i must have gotten up 7 times last night to pee. and it seems like the urge never goes away. i was out with my friend shopping the other day and she asked if i wanted to go to the bathroom, saying, “I remember what it’s like”. I told her that i did have to go, but that i refused to allow myself the inconvenience of going every hour just to go a couple drops! Sorry -TMI:rolleyes:

Yeah, thought id jump my hubby so things could get rolling here, but im not in the mood and he is always gone or asleep. he works 2nd shift, gone from 3p.m. until 530 a.m. 6 days a week. today is his day off, though, so maybe this will be it;) Tueday, doc scrapes my cervix to “strip my membranes”. Thought it would be better for my hubby to do that for me, rather than the doc and medical equipment:o

Nice talking to you!

That is all too true, and so worth it. Crazy that this is the easy part, huh?Good luck, the waiting will soon be over, one way or another. Foxflower

It’s so cute to hear mom’s commenting on the fun we go thru while we are pregnant. And regardless of all the craziness, just the sight of the new one erases all the discomfort. Well, almost, LOL!
Make sure to use your 3 year old ~ mine loved helping in any way. There are so many wonderful bonding moments.
Enjoy the tap-dancing babe and I hope for a quick delivery. And don’t over-nest!!! I know you want things perfect but all the prepping in the world isn’t worth mama being tired:)

Just an update here . . . I’m 28 weeks and feeling it in normal ways. Had and ultrasound, and the baby was acting shy by covering it’s face and privates. So, no definitive answer about gender, maybe a boy this time? Post GBS issues do not seem to be complicating my pregnancy at all, I MIGHT be more tired than in my first pregnancy. I also have more going on, so fatigue and stress could be from that. All is well so far. Blessings, Foxflower

Wonderful news, so happy things are going well for you. Maybe this baby is determined to keep you guessing to the end. I did not find out with my first one, it was exciting. The whole time was exciting. Brings back great memories. Good luck to you!!
Dawn Kevies mom

Great news Room 679. Glad to hear things are going good. Do keep us posted. Best wishes and prayers sent your way.
Dawn Kevies mom

I am so excited for you! There is no better news than that of a new life blossoming in it’s new mommy and waiting to grace the world with it’s presence. And add in that is already so loved and wanted by the parents….lucky you, lucky baby. Congratulations!

Room 679, Congratulations! This is so exciting. May’s a great month to have a new baby. My daughter was born then. Just a suggestion on the nausea. I had the nausea residuals and the extreme morning sickness. The only thing that helped me besides laying down and not eating (can’t do those all the time) was the accupressure wrist bands. The Sea Bands are what I started with and work well; they are easy to position and elastic. I later got some PSI Bands because they are rubbery, prettier, and water proof. The great thing is that they can’t hurt you or complicate the GBS, they just apply pressure at your wrists. You can order the bands online or look at a health food store with the motion sickness stuff. Good luck! Foxflower

Just wanted to add that my daughter drank raspberry tea first thing every morning with a few soda crackers and that seemed to really help alot.

Room 679, There’s nothing more precious to us than our kids, is there. I just sent a prayer up for your baby’s health and yours. God Bless, Foxflower

Hello all, I’m 36 weeks along as of Thanksgiving. My first child delivered at 38 weeks. So, the car is loaded and arrangements made to stay close to the hospital if necessary. 😀 We both seem to be doing okay, though I do not recommend this nasty cold. 🙁 Happy Holidays everyone and I hope you are all doing well! Foxflower

Room679 & foxflower,
How exciting to read on your pregnancies. Hope all goes well with your deliveries and enjoy those precious babies, they grow up so fast. Keep us posted and best wishes to both of you.

Hooray for all of you. I feel like a cyber auntie all over again. Keep us posted and good luck.

Hello All. Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. We just got internet at home this week. Yeah! My son, Sawyer Nicholas was born on 12-19 at 6:12 in the morning. He weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. We had a great delivery a week before my due date. Now, before I report the rest I have to qualify it by saying that labor and delivery appear to be easier for me than many women, and this is my second child. But especially for Room 679 I want to provide encouragement. I was able to deliver this baby without epidural or medication of any kind. I had the strength to push on my own and delivered in a squatting position despite past worries that my hips wouldn’t be strong enough. Second stage labor only took about 15 minutes though, and first stage (what I felt of it) was only about 6 hours. I am not more tired now than I was with my first child pre-GBS. Actually, I may be less tired because I have fewer delivery complications. I am not currently experiencing residuals and I delivered 13 months after being diagnosed with a mild case of GBS and treated with IVIG for 4 days. So, for me, I really couldn’t ask for a healthier pregnancy and delivery. I have been greatly blessed. Sawyer is doing great and gaining weight to beat the band — 15 oz in the first 10 days! I’m going to try to attach a picture with this post.

Room 679…I’m glad to hear things are going well for you and I pray they continue to. Isn’t it great to feel the baby moving and have that assurance that it’s doing okay? My 3 year old daughter seems to be adjusting farely well to new baby brother and likes to help fetch spit rags and extra outfits, rock him, and help hold him–only she wants me to fetch for her all the time too! She’s getting more Daddy time but still wants to be my velcro baby — attached and on top of me every second. She’s been that way always. I try to enjoy it since she’s growing up fast, but it does get overwhelming sometimes. I’d be happy to answer questions if you have any.

Happy New Year Everyone!

foxflower,
Great that delivery went good for you. Congratulations on your new healthy baby. Sawyer looks like a doll baby in his picture, beautiful.
Enjoy!
Shirley

Ohh he is so cute! Looks very healthy too! Congratulations on your new baby! May he grow to be a handsome grown man! Hugs
Linda

We are doing well. Sawyer is up to 10 lbs. now. Big sister is adjusting well. Thank you for your compliments and well wishes. Foxflower

Room 679,

Congratulations! Please let us know when the baby comes.

Dr Perry is the best. I have heard him speak on many occasions and trust what he says. It helps that he is such a sweetheart too.

Did you attend the symposium in Nov.? We may have met.

Congratulations! My older two are girls and have become each others best friends as the years go by 🙂 I’m really happy to hear the delivery was easier – for your second, you deserve that!
Just watch yourself over these next weeks. While I had a relatively normal pregnancy with the last one (besides having CIDP that is, LOL), I noticed about a month after delivery the symptoms came at me hard.
My doc said that while the immune system is naturally suppressed during pregnancy, following pregnancy it swings back to normal. Well, normal for a person with CIDP = overactive and the tingling, muscle weakness, etc hit quick and hard. I dismissed it initially as being tired but my doc put me in pt right away with a week of IVIG to boost me.
Listen to your body even when you are too tired to care. And kiss your girls as much as you can!!! Again – congrats!!

Congrats!! Rest when you can. Except any and all help offered.

I love to have these happy stories on hand when a GBS/CIDP patient calls.