Stressing about post pregnancy options
currently 30w5d on my first and last pregnancy. I have ankylosing spondylitis and while my pregnancy has been perfectly healthy, it's made all of my AS symptoms worse (though less flares) and actually uncovered a new one. I've had extreme sacroiliac joint dysfunction, extreme morning sickness due to inflammation in my stomach and recently discovered a minor pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart) that's probably been there for years and only made worse in my pregnancy. I've been put on home rest and at this point, I'm 100% certain I'm not willing to do this again. I'm still stressing over my options after delivery, however, because while I never had a failure or problem with hormonal birth control, it never did anything to manage my periods and the hormone drop at the start of every period causes an AS flare. that's what I'm trying to lessen or avoid. one friend suggested asking my doctor about a hysterectomy but I'm just concerned and stressed at this point that nothing is going to ease those flares. I can treat my symptoms but even on really strong NSAIDs, those flares often leave me unable to get out of bed. I'm worried about how that's going to impact my ability to take care of my daughter.
Achieve your health goals from period to parenting.