My Pregnancy Story

[Dinkeygirl]

Hello !

I just wanted to share my story with others and my hope is that it encourages you during pregnancy or if you are thinking about having a baby.

I started trying for a baby about a year after I was DXed. I had read that during pregnancy a lot of the sx may disappear. I was very mild at the time and so I started. It was interrupted by having my gall bladder removed but I waited a year and tried again. I am a single mother. I went a very different route for becoming pregnant. I chose A.I.

I live in Oklahoma and this state is about 20 years behind. I could not get a doctor to do the insemination because I was not married. BOO LAME. Anyway I went with a cryobank that will deliver to your home as long as you can find a doctor to ok that. I did find one and I did the insem myself. It didn't take all 9 times I tried. I switched to a different cryobank and the very first time it took. That was December of 2009. I was fully aware of what was said:"A relapse can occur and usually does in the first four months after you give birth."

I waited. During pregnancy I didn't have hardly ANY sx. I was tired beyond belief in the first trimester but it was different from MS fatigue. A few twitches in the second trimester but that was all. Now don't get me wrong I had a healthy pregnancy but my joints hurt like hell during the third trimester. It was strictly from pregnancy ( I put on 45 pounds LOL) Had my son on Sept 3, 2010 and waited.....

Sept 27 2011 yep 2011 I had a relapse and I'm still going through it. THIS ONE SUCKED. I've never been hit like this before. HOWEVER it was almost two years!!!! I only breastfed for the first 6 weeks. So it was a good thing for me. Pregnancy was something that gave me relief. You do deal with other pregnancy sx so it can seem like tit for tat but it really did give my body some much needed time not to deal with sensory sensations etc. Also I didn't have any allergies during this time. That was awesome.

After pregnancy no doubt it's hard when and if you do have a relapse. I have a sister that is a godsend and helps out when I'm just too tired to do much of anything. I'm thinking about having another baby in the future, but this relapse really shook me up. I spend a lot of time crying and I'm not good at dealing with MS at ALL. I feel like a whimp. I can say that my son is the BEST thing that has ever happened to me. When he turns to me and babbles and smiles it gives me a reason to keep trying and to keep going. If you are trying to think on whether to have a baby or not due to MS, my advice is that if you are still able go for it. These kids aren't going to be neglected due to your DX. On my bad days sure I need help, but on my good days I do ALL THAT I CAN to make up for it. I love him and he's one of my reasons to forge ahead no matter what. I would have given up if not. I mean that.

NOW if I can just find out whether or not MS still does damage during pregnancy without sx. It's my understanding that the immune system is told to settle down so that you won't abort the new baby and because of that it doesn't do "damage" to you without sx - like it can silently when you aren't pregnant.

Everyone is different but there are all kinds of wonderful reasons to have a baby even with your DX. Live your life and give to your child everything you can. You have a different outlook on life and teaching them that time shared is precious is a good thing. After all, no one, regardless of MS or not knows their future.

Love to all ♥

[Dinkeygirl]

I don't think we can post pictures but I just wanted to give a link to a pic of my son.


**personal website with photo removed in compliance with MSWorld guidelines**

[Jules A]

You said you haven't worked in 7 years and aren't getting disability how do you support your growing family?

[Dinkeygirl]

I have a wonderful family for one. At this time my sister, mother and I reside in the same home. I am in college and I have a living allowance from my learning institution. Just to let you know how I support myself and my son.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by Dinkeygirl

I have a wonderful family for one. At this time my sister, mother and I reside in the same home. I am in college and I have a living allowance from my learning institution. Just to let you know how I support myself and my son.

Thank you for answering.

I have enjoyed your posts and was curious because ever since my MS diagnosis my financial future has been a huge concern for me. I can't imagine if I had two legged children I was responsible to care for! Which is the reason I work all the time.

[Dinkeygirl]

Completely understand. The want for a child was bigger than any DX. I have a wonderful support system and I know that if anything ever happened to me my son would have a wonderful family who would love and take care of him.

I guess it came down to either having my dreams ruined and not have a child or pushing on no matter what. I chose my dream.